Climbing

How important is it for climbers to have a consistent warm-up routine, regardless of the type of climbing or location?

Consistent warm-up routine: the key to better climbing

This is a great question. How important is it for climbers to have a consistent warm-up routine regardless of the type of climbing or location? Ultimately, you want to be warmed up when you go ahead and expect yourself to perform athletically. Whether you're an ice skater, whether you're a baseball player, whether you're a gymnast, whether you're a golfer, it doesn't matter. And having a regular consistent warm-up will allow you to go ahead and engage muscles in a powerful and endurance type way and a delicate way better and more confidently if you are warmed up. And if you know how to warm yourself up properly, you're going to go ahead and and climb better every day. And you're going to be able to try movements without any hesitation because you know that you're ready to go ahead and try certain types of movements. So warming up is key. I think when climbers are younger they choose not to, but when they get older they find that they have to. So if we can teach everybody now, warm up.

It is important for climbers to have a consistent warm-up routine regardless of the type of climbing or location because it allows them to perform athletically, climb better and try movements without hesitation.

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The importance of a consistent warm-up routine for climbers, regardless of the type of climbing or location, cannot be overstated. Just like any other athletic activity, being properly warmed up is crucial for optimal performance. Whether you're an ice skater, baseball player, gymnast, or golfer, a regular warm-up routine allows you to engage your muscles in a powerful and enduring way. It also instills confidence and enables you to attempt movements without hesitation. Climbers may choose to skip warming up when they're younger, but as they age, they realize its necessity. By learning how to warm up effectively now, climbers can improve their performance and ensure they are ready to tackle different climbing movements with ease. Warm-up routines are key for climbers of all levels.

Can you give an example of a niche that has helped you stand out in professional rock climbing?

Timing and Partnership: How a Niche Climber Stood Out

What is an example of a niche that helped me stand out in professional rock climbing? I was climbing long multi-pitch routes that were challenging with a little bit of danger factor mixed in before a lot of people were doing it. So for me, timing was everything. I didn't realize I was in that time or that I was a niche climber at all. I was just doing what I like to do. I had found a partner that complimented me and I complimented him. And those are the things that we leveled ourselves up for and toured. And nowadays, there's so many great climbers, all the great climbers are doing long multi-pitch routes that may have a little bit of spice to them. And so the things that I did yesteryear are nothing compared to what's being done today. But it helped me stand out.

My niche was climbing long multi-pitch routes that were challenging with an element of danger before a lot of people were doing it, which helped me stand out in professional rock climbing.

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An example of a niche that helped me stand out in professional rock climbing was my focus on climbing long multi-pitch routes that were challenging and had an element of danger. At the time, not many people were pursuing this style of climbing, so it gave me a unique position. However, I didn't realize I was carving out a niche or trying to stand out. I was simply doing what I loved and found a partner who shared the same passion. We pushed ourselves and embarked on these routes together.

It's important to note that the climbing landscape has evolved, and nowadays, many great climbers are also tackling long multi-pitch routes with challenging aspects. So while my accomplishments may not be as significant compared to what is being achieved today, at the time, it helped me differentiate myself in the climbing community.

Can you describe a specific route that you've set that you're particularly proud of, and why?

Creating and Climbing: Proud Routes with Challenging Sequences

Can I describe a specific route that I've set that I'm particularly proud of and why? I could say something that I've done that's been particularly hard that was a great struggle and challenge to overcome. I could pick something that's just super moderate and fun that anybody and everybody could do. Realistically I'm just proud of anything that I do that the sequence comes out and that folks are able to climb it as long as someone else climbs it and gets to go ahead and solve the problem safely without having to establish the route I think that that's something to be proud of. So I'm proud of all the climbs that I've established and yeah it's it's nice to see folks climb routes that I've created or first assented and find out what they think.

I'm proud of any route that I establish, regardless of difficulty level, as long as someone else is able to climb it safely.

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Can I describe a specific route that I'm particularly proud of and explain why? I can choose something challenging that was a great struggle to overcome, or something moderate and enjoyable that anyone can do. Realistically, I'm just proud of any route where the sequence comes together and climbers are able to safely solve the problem without me having to establish the route. It's an achievement to see others climb the routes I've created or first ascended and hear their thoughts on them. So, in short, I take pride in all the climbs I've established.

Can you share your specific mantra and how you developed it?

Discover the Powerful Mantra that Drives Success: BEE

Can I share my specific mantra and how I developed it? Yes, it is BEE. B-B-E-E. I've used this for the past, I don't know, 25, 30 years. BEE stands for back off, breathe, evaluate, and execute. So I start with backing off, whatever hold I'm on, relaxing, taking a deep breath. As I'm relaxing, I'm evaluating the situation above me, and then I execute. As long as I evaluate and say, go for it, I go for it, and then I accept the consequences at the end, whether I'm successful or whether I'm not, and I reevaluate if I'm unsuccessful, and I reevaluate if I am successful. So that is what I do.

Yes, you can share your specific mantra and how you developed it. Your mantra is BEE which stands for "Back off, Breathe, Evaluate, Execute" and you have been using it for the past 25-30 years. When using this mantra, you start by backing off, take a deep breath, evaluate the situation, and then execute. You accept the consequences of your actions whether successful or not, and you reevaluate if necessary.

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Sure, I can share my specific mantra and how I developed it. My mantra is BEE, which stands for back off, breathe, evaluate, and execute. I have been using this mantra for the past 25 to 30 years. When faced with a challenge or obstacle, I start by backing off and taking a moment to relax. I take a deep breath to center myself. While in this relaxed state, I evaluate the situation at hand. Once I have assessed the situation and determined that it is safe and feasible, I proceed with executing my plan. At the end of the process, regardless of the outcome, whether successful or not, I accept the consequences and learn from them. If I am unsuccessful, I reevaluate my approach and make necessary adjustments. If I am successful, I also take the opportunity to reevaluate and see how I can continue to improve. That's how my mantra BEE came about and how it guides me in navigating challenges.

Does it make sense to train indoors with a weighted vest to mimic the weight of quickdraws and other equipment you'll be carrying outdoors?

Indoor Training with Weighted Vest: Engage Core & Load Limbs, but Not Quickdraws

Does it make sense to train indoors with a weighted vest to mimic the weight of quickdraws and other equipment you'll be carrying outdoors? Woo! Ultimately, any kind of training has to have a purpose. And if you're just trying to carry more weight, practicing carrying a weighted vest is going to help you engage your core more, because the vest is up on your shoulders and your back and your chest. It's not actually where your quickdraws and other equipment will be. So you're not actually doing anything for that in that sense. But what you are doing is you're loading your fingers more, loading your feet more, and engaging your core more. So if you wanted to work those things, you can wear a weight vest. The quickdraws and other equipment you'll be carrying are nominal. They're not really that big of a factor. So a weight vest trains other things, not necessarily that.

Training indoors with a weighted vest can help you engage your core, load your fingers and feet, and overall become stronger. It is not the same as carrying quickdraws and other outdoor equipment, but it can still be beneficial.

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Training indoors with a weighted vest to mimic the weight of quickdraws and other outdoor equipment can have its benefits, but it's important to consider the purpose of your training. Carrying a weighted vest helps engage your core muscles as the weight is distributed on your shoulders, back, and chest. However, it doesn't directly simulate the position or feel of quickdraws and other equipment. The primary impact is on loading your fingers, feet, and core engagement. If you specifically want to work on those aspects, wearing a weight vest can be useful. It's worth noting that the weight of quickdraws and other equipment is often nominal and not a significant factor. Therefore, while a weighted vest can train certain elements, it doesn't precisely replicate the experience of carrying specific climbing gear.

How do you establish trust with a new climbing partner, especially if you haven't climbed together before?

Establishing trust with a new climbing partner: Key tips for safety and compatibility

How to establish trust with a new climbing partner, especially if you haven't climbed together before I make sure that all the commands are done each time I double and triple check and then we go ahead and move forward with whatever climbing we're doing I give an opportunity for them to go ahead and show me what they can do in a safe way and ideally they give me an opportunity to show them what I can do in a safe way and and we are constantly evaluating each other and and Judging to see if we're going to climb together to climb it together again based on safety practices and attitude Fun all that kind of stuff But yeah, the trust is safety first for sure So that's we go through all the safety things and make sure and if at any point. It's not working I I bail. I'm sorry bud. I'm out

Establish trust with a new climbing partner by following safety protocols and evaluating each other's attitude, safety practices, and fun.

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To establish trust with a new climbing partner, especially if you haven't climbed together before, prioritize safety. Make sure to diligently follow all commands, double-check everything, and proceed with caution. Give each other opportunities to showcase your skills in a safe manner. Constantly evaluate each other's abilities, safety practices, attitude, and overall enjoyment of the climb. Trust is built on a foundation of safety first. If at any point the partnership feels unsafe or incompatible, it's important to prioritize your well-being and respectfully withdraw from climbing together.

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Rob was born in Ohio and didn't even learn about rock climbing until after graduating high school. Having his first climbing experiences at the New River Gorge, West Virginia gave him the climbing bug and he has been at for over 30 years. He continues to travel the world for climbing and adventuring, always seeking the ever elusive perfect route. His passion is establishing new climbs big and small. His favorite places to climb are in the Italian Dolomites and in Zion National Park. He has been teaching high school science and engineering for over 20 years. Rob now resides in Grand Junction, Colorado where he is a proud husband and a father of two boys.

Rob Pizem