3 ms·

So why do you solo? Honest question.

by asah 3y ago

aynyc 3y ago
I didn't solo at my limit. The routes were easy, below my standard, and well known by me. The possibilities of so low that I just didn't think I would fall. I was good enough and confident enough that I want to experience freedom. During the solos, I didn't feel anything, it was mechanical, pure physical movements. I didn't have heightened sense or anything like that. In fact, it was less "arousal" than if I have rope and trying my absolute hardest on other routes. I also didn't have selfies or anything that would even prove I was there. But after the climbs, there was a sense of fulfillment, a quiet confidence and pride that simply make me happy. I didn't tell many people about my soloing because I did it for myself. Many of my partners/mentors have done bigger solos. All of the solos were done in quiet manner, and generally on less traffic routes or days. They weren't searching for meaning of life or next high. They simply want to climb quietly and competently and come home without any drama. I stopped soloing because I find it hard to take the next step, which is to solo harder and harder grades. I didn't like the way it made me feel. It became chasing glory rather than self expression.
dsauerbrun 3y ago
I don't solo regularly but I have soloed a few things(5.6 is the hardest I've soloed if you're familiar with climbing grades). my answer to this is basically once you've gotten to a certain level in climbing, some of the lower levels feel effortless and it doesn't actually feel risky. As an aside, roping up for some of that easier stuff wouldn't be worth it because it would just take too long. Take walking up stairs, that feels incredibly easy and risk free to your average person but if you slip and fall down a flight of stairs you will most likely get pretty badly injured or potentially die... but no one puts on a rope to go up stairs because the risk level is so low even if the consequence level is very high. that's how I feel about soloing and I suspect its how many others feel about it too. fwiw, climbing hard stuff on a rope is way more fun for me than easy stuff without one but to each their own

So why do you solo? Honest question.

by asah 3y ago

So why do you solo? Honest question.

I didn't solo at my limit. The routes were easy, below my standard, and well known by me. The possibilities of so low that I just didn't think I would fall. I was good enough and confident enough that I want to experience freedom. During the solos, I didn't feel anything, it was mechanical, pure physical movements. I didn't have heightened sense or anything like that. In fact, it was less "arousal" than if I have rope and trying my absolute hardest on other routes. I also didn't have selfies or anything that would even prove I was there. But after the climbs, there was a sense of fulfillment, a quiet confidence and pride that simply make me happy. I didn't tell many people about my soloing because I did it for myself. Many of my partners/mentors have done bigger solos. All of the solos were done in quiet manner, and generally on less traffic routes or days. They weren't searching for meaning of life or next high. They simply want to climb quietly and competently and come home without any drama. I stopped soloing because I find it hard to take the next step, which is to solo harder and harder grades. I didn't like the way it made me feel. It became chasing glory rather than self expression.

dsauerbrun 3y ago

I don't solo regularly but I have soloed a few things(5.6 is the hardest I've soloed if you're familiar with climbing grades). my answer to this is basically once you've gotten to a certain level in climbing, some of the lower levels feel effortless and it doesn't actually feel risky. As an aside, roping up for some of that easier stuff wouldn't be worth it because it would just take too long. Take walking up stairs, that feels incredibly easy and risk free to your average person but if you slip and fall down a flight of stairs you will most likely get pretty badly injured or potentially die... but no one puts on a rope to go up stairs because the risk level is so low even if the consequence level is very high. that's how I feel about soloing and I suspect its how many others feel about it too. fwiw, climbing hard stuff on a rope is way more fun for me than easy stuff without one but to each their own