In an effort to avoid complete gym-rate status, I’ve braved the heat and ventured outside a few times lately. Twice we climbed at a newer area outside Chattanooga and then this past weekend I headed to the Red River Gorge. It was nice to get outside, even if it was a little hot, to get back to nature and assess how well the gym training translates into success with real rock climbing.
Overall I’d grade the success of the past couple of month's gym training as applied to sandstone sport climbing as somewhere around a B or B-. As one might expect, the steep super-jug hauls had poor carryover to outside rock, particular at the newer area where the holds are predominantly good but more slopey. At the Red, the gym training did perhaps a better job as the holds were positive and better simulated by plastic. Overall my endurance was only OK, giving a good data point in evaluating training effectiveness and showing what I need to work on and how to tailor my time spent indoors. Interestingly, my power on steep routes seemed improved which was a pleasant surprise as I haven’t been concentrating on it.
In the end, it was nice to be outside, hanging with friends and seeing some folks I haven't seen in a while. I always enjoy climbing at the Red and managed to do a few new routes which is always a bonus. Here are some pics:
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| Mark on Random Precision |
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| Brent on Mosaic | |
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| This guy wasn't on the gym training routine. The largest copperhead I've ever seen. |
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| Brent on Amarillo Sunset. |
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| Nate on the crux of Amarillo Sunset. |
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| Nate on Amarillo Sunset |
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