Comments on: Questioning the status quo

By: Arno

Arno — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:35:21 +0000

Hi Dan, This topic is about disturbing the status quo. Your method of working backwards seems like a great way to take a different approach which can lead to seeing and thinking of the challenge differently. In short, disturbing the usual way we approach a climb–bottom to top.
Now, disturb the balance by focusing on footwork first and then handwork.
Arno

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:06:15 +0000

I should preface this by saying that I’ve just started climbing this winter so all of my experience is indoor sport climbing and bouldering, but one basic practical technique I’ve found useful for gaining new perspective on a route is to work it backwards. I take a look at the difficult area of the route and try to see the resting points above it. Once I think that I’ve spotted the resting point, I look to see what move from what position in the tricky spot would get me there, and continue to backtrack the moves from there. Usually I try to do this from the ground, but with bouldering you can often “down climb” the problem as well. I’ve also found that (just as when working a problem forwards) I’m most likely to ignore footwork, and often need to give extra attention to that aspect of it.

Happy Climbing!
-Dan

By: David

David — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:51:54 +0000

Nice picture! Red Canyon sure is a beauty! I love the rock around Lander…

By: arno

arno — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:51:58 +0000

Hello Everyone,
The next lesson will go out Monday. I’ll be doing these bi-weekly instead of weekly. I think we need 2 weeks to get enough dialogue and discussion before moving on to the next lesson.
Arno

By: Miguel Gallardo

Miguel Gallardo — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:10:09 +0000

Hi Arno! In regard to your comment to the first post I would like to add something. For me it is a motto to “think laterally”, to find a different way to solve a problem when it is eviden that you are not arriving to any solution. However I find it one of the most dificult things to do. You are tied to your personal values, the way you understand the world and your personal shortages; and all that it’s a burden that you have to overcome to free your mind and “open” your eyes. It is not an easy task but you can achieve a kind of habit in doing it so. It’s useful not only for life but for climbing either. If it doesn’t work with that hold, why can’t you use your foot and do the movement head down?
Search for new ways, explore inside yourself.

By: Grammy

Grammy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:25:13 +0000

I’m joining the conversation a little late, but really liked what Samantha said ” Instead of judging from the ground up – looking at the whole picture – which is often to big to grasp/solve, take small steps to engage the moves. This results in a change of view/perspective, and gives us new information, which often opens up other solutions”. Again it pertains to the “why” we climb and what is our focus…process based or outcome based? For me, looking at it from a process point of view has not only helped me achieve some of my climbing goals this year, but brought back the joy of climbing which seemed to be lacking due to outcome based goals that I had set for myself at the beginning of the season.

By: Ruby Arens

Ruby Arens — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:07:03 +0000

To create the change from being negatively to positively motivated: I try not to be judgmental or in want of revenge. I try to let the love flow, easy as that …
I didn’t try it at the time, but thinking about it now, pulling the corners of my mouth up (smiling) while looking at the route would help. (a little trick from Anthony Robbins: try having negative thoughts while smiling)

By: Julian

Julian — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:47:23 +0000

Hi Arno. With regard to your comment in response to Ryan, I have found this to be very true. I have just come back from a couple of months cycling through Europe and now the hills at home I consistently thought were long and steep are suddenly just a hill. While Im fitter now than I was, I think this change is also a result “disturbing my status quo” and challenging my ideas of what I though I was capable of. Similarly, I have read somewhere (more in relation to mountain biking than climbing, though the idea is easily transferable) that to improve, surround yourself with people who challenge your ideas of what ‘far’ and ‘fast’ are. Cheers, Julian.

By: Arno

Arno — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:15:52 +0000

Yes Coleman. Definitely agree. We need to be vigilant and engage life mentally, physically otherwise we become stinky in many ways. Arno

By: Arno

Arno — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:14:13 +0000

Hi Ryan, you bring up an interesting point about how changing our status quo actually morphs into a new status quo. I think this occurs always. What is different today becomes common tomorrow; what is stressful today becomes comfortable tomorrow. It’s a cycle. I think the main point is to keep looking for ways to modify even if only at subtle levels. Arno