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Haven Larrabee-Davis

English 121 Tuesday/Thursday 12:30


Professor Hardman
7 October 2015

The Passion of Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is so different from any other sport or hobby. Climbing


requires you to have patience, skill, strength, great problem solving skills, and
determination. Climbing can be one of the hardest activities you can take part in.
It can take numerous tries to get to the top of your route, even many days. If
youre not determined, headstrong, and dedicated, you wont make it. Climbing
is a way to express yourself, and release yourself. It can be used as a
therapeutic method. Its a way to escape from worries, problems, emotions,
feelings, and fears. Its a great way to boost your self-confidence, pride, strength,
and self-worth.
Back in the 1950s a group called the Sierra Club created a system in
which they use to classify climbs according to their difficulty. This system is now
called The Yosemite Decimal Rating System. The YDRS breaks down climbing to
classes and grades. Almost every climber refers to this system. The first 5
classes are basic. Class 1: Walking on an established trail. Class 2: Hiking,
walking up a steep incline, possibly using your hands. Class 3: Walking up a
steep hillside, a rope is not usually used. Class 4: Exposed climbing, a rope will

be used past areas where a fall could be lethal. Class 5: This is where the
technical rock climbing begins. A three point stance (two hands and a foot, or two
feet and a hand) is needed. A rope and protection are needed to save someone
from falling. Class 5 climbs are subdivided into categories to provide more detail.
5.0-5.4: Climbing with good holds. 5.5-5.7: Steeper and more vertical but still has
good holds. 5.8 +/-: Smaller holds. The + would mean that it is slightly more
difficult like a 5.9 but still classified as a 5.8. And the - would mean that it is more
closely a 5.7 but it has a couple moves that would be in a solid 5.8. 5.9 +/-: The
climb might be slightly overhung and/or may have sustained climbing on smaller
holds. 5.10 a, b, c, d: Very sustained climbing. Usually to this rating you must be
a consistent climber. The difference between a 5.10b and a 5.10c is very
noticeable. The climbs would most likely be overhung with pretty small holds.
5.11 a, b, c, d: A dedicated climber aims for this climbs. It will be steep and
difficult that requires powerful moves and technical climbing. 5.12 a, b, c, d: This
route contains overhangs, requiring delicate footwork on thin holds, and great
balance. 5.13 a, b, c, d: Basically a way to put it, if you can climb upside on
glass, this is right up your alley. 5.14 a, b, c, d: These climbs are among the
hardest in the world. 5.15a: This is as hard as climbing gets. Very few climber
have actually succeeded in climbing this level of difficulty.
Dean Potter was a well acknowledged climber. He recently passed away
in a wingsuit flying accident in Yosemite National Park. He was attempting a
7,500 foot base jump from Taft Point. His jumping partner, Graham Hunt, also
died in the accident. Before his death, Dean Potter was an incredible climber.

Many thought of him as a formidable daredevil. Potter took part in activities that
others would call utterly insane. One of his greatest climbing achievements was
scaling the face of The Nose, a 31-pitch route, of Yosemites Valley mountain, El
Capitan. Potter and fellow climber, Sean Leavy, made it to the top in 2 hours, 36
minutes, 45 seconds. The duo barely beat the previous record holders time by
just 20 seconds. Another great achievement was making the first ever solo
attempt at climbing a route named Heaven on Glacier Point Apron in Yosemite.
The major factor on this climb that puts him ahead of almost every other climber
in the world? He didnt use a safety harness. No parachute, ropes, or anything to
prevent his death if anything happened.
Chris Sharma is one of the worlds strongest climbers. Chris Sharma is
named at the top of the sport. He has consistently been able to establish the
hardest climbs in the world. Sharmas latest accomplishment was being the first
and only climber to establish and climb the hardest rated difficulty. Right out of
Barcelona, Spain he made the first ascent of El Bon Combat. If confirmed, it is a
level 9b+ (5.15b/c). Sharma set his eyes on the route eight years ago, but it
wasnt until last year that he decided he was going to climb it. Chris set out to do
this climb based purely on enjoyment. Chris Sharma also climbed the hardest
route in the world. La Dura Dura in Catalunya, Spain. His climbing partner, Adam
Ondra, tackled the climb with Chris. They went head-to-head on this 5.15c rated
climb. Adam, who is only 19 years old, is already setting the hardest climbs in the
world.

Sasha Digiulian is a world famous American female climber. At the age of


22 she has already climbed some of the hardest climbs. When she was just 18,
she made an ascent on Pure Imagination in Kentuckys Red River Gorge. Its
rated a 9a (5.14d), and she became the first American woman to complete the
climb. After her completion of Pure Imagination, Sashas career in rock climbing
skyrocketed. Sasha just recently attempted an ascend on La Paciencia. A route
on the north face of Eiger, Europes most infamous alpine wall. 23-pitch and
3,000 feet just stacked with eight hard pitches: three 5.13s and five 5.12s. But
because of weather conditions she, and her fellow climbing partner Carlo
Traversi, changed direction to Magic Mushroom. In the same location as La
Paciencia, its another Eiger route. Her and Traversi conquered the 5.13a climb.
The first time I actually went rock climbing was when I was 17 years old. It
was through my school and we went over to the Recreational Center in
Glenwood the first few times. We eventually went climbing outdoors. And of
course I was nervous at first, and scared to actually go up this side of a rock wall
depending on someone else to catch me and hold me. But I went up and
continuously went again and again, each day more and more. I kept getting
better and quicker. Every time I went up the side of the rockwall my mind was
blank of all things, except my next move and getting to the top. All stress and
anger and distraction was gone. I was completely focussed on this immediate
moment. I could feel each of my muscles moving in ways that they havent
moved before, and even feeling new muscles moving and straining. After getting
to the top, I just sat there. I turned around and took in the view that was behind

me, it was growing as I got further and further up this wall. The accomplishment
of climbing to the top, completing this route, and the breathtaking view I got, was
the trophy I received and it kept me coming back for more.
Climbing is a great way for me to spend my time. It releases thoughts,
feelings and emotions from my mind and allows me to focus on something else.
After a big argument with my parents one day, the only way I could think to
release everything I was feeling was to go rock climbing. I did, and it totally
brought me back down to a center of calmness and freshness. Climbing is
something I really want to make part of my life, and my sons life. Its healthy and
a great way to spend time. It takes skill and patience and strength, skills you can
use for climbing and skills you can out towards other tasks and activities. Its a
great way to train your mind, body, and soul. Rock climbing is important to me,
its something that makes me happy and I enjoy doing it.
A lot of people dont understand the true skill and power it takes to be a
climber. They often think of going to a Recreational Center and climbing on an
indoor wall for an hour or so, for something fun to do. They dont often think of
what a person really has to go through. The training, the preparation, the time.
The different levels of difficulty that some never even thought was possible to
climb, when in reality people climb that all the time. Some people often imagine
rock climbers to be insane thrill-seekers. Other things arent good enough for
them anymore so they try to test the strength of a rope to catch their weight.
Rock climbing holds many properties. There is the love for nature and the

outdoors, problem solving, self-worth, or artistic and creative. Theres also


building your strength and endurance.
Granted, a lot of sports require the same techniques and mindset as rock
climbing. Football also commands strength and endurance. Throwing or catching
a football, or tackling or getting tackled all requires strength and endurance. With
rock climbing it requires a different kind of strength and endurance. Climbing
uses strength in your body and muscles that you dont normally use everyday or
in normal workouts. The endurance in climbing is different with holding difficult
positions and having complete strain on all your muscles at all times. And with
basketball, it calls for problem-solving and coordination. You have to solve your
problems on how to get the ball from the other team, to your team, and into the
opposing teams basket. It calls for an intricate thought process. And coordination
of passing the ball to your team and not accidently someone on the other team,
and even into the basket without missing. With rock climbing you have to use
problem solving to get through the route and finding the best holds for your
hands and feet. And using coordination with your hands. Sometimes you have to
jump for a hold or grab for one that isnt always in your reach that you cant see.
And placing your feet in the right holds without them slipping and you end up
losing your grip and fall.
There are many misunderstandings and misconceptions of rock climbing.
People often think that it isnt much of a sport, or that only hippies really get into
it. Rock climbing doesnt usually come easy to people, although it can. Most
often, it takes practice and training. After a hard day climbing, or even after the

first day, you get sore and tired from using muscles that normally dont get used
to that extent. And usually the skin on your fingers arent used to the texture of
the different rocks, and it can tear them up. Sasha Digiulian was climbing a route
called Pure Imagination in Kentuckys Red River Gorge, when her fingertips were
bleeding through most of the climb. After big climbs your muscles can be really
sore. Climbers sometimes take breaks after big routes that they finish to
replenish their strength and energy.
There is no right way to interact with nature. Everyone has their own method of
connection to the world around them. For some, its photography, painting, hiking,
or camping. But there are some who have taken on a whole new level of
interaction and involvement. Rock climbing is both an artistic and creative
method of expression, as well as being a great athletic sport. Climbing is a way
to express yourself in a risky yet healthy way. Different climbers have their own
take on risk and technique. For example, Dean Potter, a professional climber,
doesnt use safety ropes. Instead he has a parachute strapped to his back and if
he drops, he pulls the strings. Another pro climber, Chris Sharma, has tackled the
most difficult climb ever in Southern California. And he is still on the lookout for
something even harder. And Sasha Digiulian, a pro female climber, who, back in
2012, became the first American woman to climb a grade 9a. In 2011 she
finished three climbs rated 5.14c, and onsighted two of 5.14a and four of 5.13d.
Sasha began climbing when she was just 6 years old. Although these three
climbers have different perspectives and techniques on how they climb and

reach the top of the routes, they all share one thing: Their passion for rock
climbing.

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