Probably, I'm the only iceclimber / drytooling enthusiast here, but I still want to share some pics from UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in Kirov. All the pictures belong to UIAA photographers.

The route is set up underneath a trampoline:
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Figure 4 is when you put your leg on your arm to reach futher with your other hand. It is obvious why it is called "figure 4"
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Sportsmen use really crazy angles with their tools. The tool in the left hand is situated horizontally which is usually forbidden in regular mountaineering.
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lohdon

170 Posts

April 18 2015 11:30 GMT

#322

What's the appeal of climbing an artificial wall with tools? If I were to climb with ice tools I would do it because of the experience of climbing on ice not as a sport. Maybe I could get behind it if I had already done some ice-climbing but in my mind ice-climbing is much more rooted in traditional alpine climbing rather than sport climbing.

This week I went climbing with a friend and we got to see an avalanche go down about 300 meters next to us. There were some climbing walls between us and the avalanche so if we decided to climb there we could have been even closer but I don't think we would have been in any danger regardless. It was my first time climbing on real rock and it was a pretty awesome experience. Having to look for every hold, belaying in steep terrain, being exposed to the sun all day. The climbing we did was rather easy so we could focus on managing our gear. We did a two pitch route which was really fun and kind of eye-opening. If you want to do some serious multi-pitch climbing you have to be way better at managing your gear because otherwise it costs you so much time.

intrigue

Washington, D.C9935 Posts

January 01 2016 03:43 GMT

#323

sitting around watching new year's stuff about to start on tv, and thinking about my bouldering goals for next year. progress has been slow this year - last summer, i had just sent my first v3, and i can finally climb every v3 in the gym now (1.5 years, oof). i'm sending a lot more v4s now but always by the skin of my teeth. i realized this past month that it's very valuable to try v5s and stuff out of my range just to get a feel for harder problems. started doing very basic fingerboard and campusing stuff in the last 2 months, too.

for 2016, i'd like to develop my finger strength, put in time on the campus board, and be able to climb all v4s in my gym. would be nice to not be self conscious and take shots at v5 every now and then too for the xp.

gl to all you tl climbers, and happy new year! sorry to use this as my blog, all my progress since i started is in here haha

edit: since i'm blogging, might as well list my progress so far (levels determined by when i think i'm 'solidly' climbing that level - quite subjective)
total bouldering time - ~2 years
v0 to v1 - 2 months
v1 to v2 - 3 months
v2 to v3 - 4 months
v3 to v4 - 14+ months
v4 to v5 - current, since jan 2016

Epoxide

Magic Woods9326 Posts

January 01 2016 18:02 GMT

#324

it's nice to see someone write here

glad to hear you're still stoked about climbing! I've been stuck on V8 for 2 years now ;;

Antoine

United States7481 Posts

January 02 2016 01:23 GMT

#325

intrigue you climb in alexandria or somewhere in maryland? or did you move, I forget

I just started climbing in early-mid november. Most days my friend and I both go so we toprope, just started 5.9s, but over the holiday he wasn't around so I did some bouldering - sent all but the pinchiest of the v2s at my gym, and tried a v3 but I think it was a bit late in the session for it. I realize the progression up the rating system is going to slow down at this point but hopefully I can still get some good stuff done this year

intrigue

Washington, D.C9935 Posts

January 03 2016 01:35 GMT

#326

oh shit antoine, really? i live in dc now, but i go twice a week to earth treks in rockville. they're opening one up closer to you, in arlington i think! will pm

NBird

United States24 Posts

January 04 2016 21:32 GMT

#327

So i dont climb recreationally, but I'm a part time arborist, which is aerial tree service (tree climbing for commercial reasons). I do mostly pruning, but sometimes I do aerial take-downs on oceanside estates in downeast Maine (U.S.A.). I truly enjoy the views, and the technicality of not only climbing, but in some cases, taking down what I'm climbing on, piece by piece.

Ramiel

United States1220 Posts

January 04 2016 23:16 GMT

#328

Climbing for about 1.5 months now, V6 max. Climbing in the chicago area, let me know if you want to join me

Epoxide

Magic Woods9326 Posts

January 04 2016 23:26 GMT

#329

On January 05 2016 08:16 Ramiel wrote:
Climbing for about 1.5 months now, V6 max. Climbing in the chicago area, let me know if you want to join me

V6 after just 1.5 months? you had to have been sick strong before, that's insane

Kau

Canada3502 Posts

January 05 2016 04:14 GMT

#330

Wow that's not even fair haha.

IAmWithStupid

Russian Federation1016 Posts

January 16 2016 05:28 GMT

#331

Probably I'm the only one here who is into iceclimbing; still want to share a link.

Korean Stage of World Iceclimbing Cup (online):
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The schedule is here

Jetaap

France4814 Posts

January 23 2016 22:04 GMT

#332

So apparently there is a climbing thread on TL, I had no idea!
Let me present myself quickly: i'm a med student, moved into Grenoble (french city in the alps) 1.5 years ago for my studies and started climbing at the same time. Turns out I really enjoy it, and I live in on the best place in the world to do it

.
I was a bit out of shape when i started and I guess i'm not really talented, so I only climb 6.b outside (5.10d), and I still have limited experience in multi-pitch routes but I plan on improving that this summer.
I also had a great opportunity to start ice climbing with my university, in fact I ice climbed for the first time last tuesday, and went for my first multi-pitch ice on thursday, that was quite an experience :D. Lead climbing on ice is going to be tough mentaly but hopefully if the weather is cold enough I should be able to try it in a couple of weeks.

A photo I took while leaving of the route, obviously it was not something extreme (looks steeper when you're in it though!) but the last pitch took its toll on my arms .. great experience overall and the guy teaching us is a local climbing legend, which makes the whole thing even more awesome.
[image loading]

All of that to say to IAmWithStupid that he is not the onnly iceclimbing enthusiast eventhough i'm a recent convert :D

Garemie

United States248 Posts

January 24 2016 07:41 GMT

#333

Hi everyone. I was fortunate enough to be born and raised in and around Yosemite National Park. I live in Mariposa currently and it's a short drive into the valley.

I climb mostly anything, obviously considering my location I have years of experience. If anyone is ever headed to Yosemite, let me know as I can be a partner/guide for those who've never been.

IAmWithStupid

Russian Federation1016 Posts

February 03 2016 03:38 GMT

#334

I'm not into bouldering, but this concept really appealed to me, looks fun:
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adwodon

United Kingdom592 Posts

February 08 2016 11:11 GMT

#335

On February 03 2016 12:38 IAmWithStupid wrote:
I'm not into bouldering, but this concept really appealed to me, looks fun:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI7kLrpoqMs

Looks really cool, but that specific game also looks like a fantastic way to promote injury. Climbing isn't about speed, especially when you're starting out, moves should be slow and controlled. Obviously the better you get the faster you can move whilst maintaining control but if I ran a climbing centre I'd be worried I'd be seeing a lot more people hurt themselves if I installed that.

AbouSV

Germany1278 Posts

February 08 2016 13:48 GMT

#336

The idea could be used for other things than speed I think though. Like learning or having other objectives than just putting both hand on the last hold.

intrigue

Washington, D.C9935 Posts

February 19 2016 04:19 GMT

#337

sent my first two v5s, after working on each for a month. feels amazing. solidly v4 now. gonna take a lead climbing class in april woohoo

Jetaap

France4814 Posts

February 29 2016 18:01 GMT

#338

On February 19 2016 13:19 intrigue wrote:
sent my first two v5s, after working on each for a month. feels amazing. solidly v4 now. gonna take a lead climbing class in april woohoo

Congrats that's a nice milestone!

DCLXVI

United States729 Posts

March 01 2016 17:06 GMT

#339

The augmented realitly climbing is at a gym near me, but that gym is twice as expensive as the one I go to. I understand climbing is a sport that wealthier people enjoy, but it still feels like price gouging. I don't want to pay $100+ a month for your weights/treadmills/yoga classes/whatever, I just want to go climb a few times a week for a reasonable price. Rock gyms are as bad as cable companies; you have to buy the whole package at some absurd cost or get nothing.

Rimstalker

Germany734 Posts

March 01 2016 18:06 GMT

#340

Flying to Mallorca for a week of climbing on Sunday.

The last 1.5 years have been a bit frustrating, with shoulder pain that just didn't want to go away, some smaller injuries, and a badly twisted knee that is still only so-so after four months.

What helped a shitton to improve: Yoga. Way better balance and flexibility.