That feel when you spent all day trying that one route and finally send it, Is magical. That feel when you go on an easier route and just feel that nice flow, and start swagging a bit, is magical. That feel when you get on a route that you would have expected to have trouble with, but just end up crushing it, is magical. Climbing is just magical.
Climbing is addictive because it allows you to go through a constant cycle of challenge, growth and achievement. Once you are good at running, you need to work *really* hard to get better. Same goes for most other sports I can think of. In climbing you can find continuous brand new challenges that will feel hard until you overcome them even if you never climb above V3. Also it allows you solve these challenges not just with strength but intelligence in a combination I don't think any other sport has. The final icing on the cake is it promotes a sense of "flow" which other sports have as well but perhaps not in such an accessible way.
As someone coming from a school team sports background from middle school - college, I'd say the act of training for climbing is much more fun than the act of training for other sports. While you may think you might die while climbing, that's more preferable to me than feeling like you're actively dying while trying to pr on a 13 mile run or getting through a 2x10k workout on the erg. Training for climbing is often more chill and taxing in a more fun and mentally easy way (imo).
Totally agree. Did a lot of running with the required training that comes with it. While I loved training with people who run at the same speed as me, I've found that the type of training you do for climbing is the thing I look forward the most. Can't really explain but I just love it.
For me, climbing felt like a sport where I could explore the variations of problem solving with my body in a way that was unique to all the other various sports I had tried before. I wasn't necessarily strong or fearless; falling still terrified me, and I still don't have enough strength to do a pull up. But it's the endorphins, the achievement, the community of supportive people that inevitably encourages me to continue climbing in every place I'm at. All I want to do is climb and learn how to do more of it. It feels incredible to be up on the wall, and to feel alive. Breaking beta is also one of the most satisfying aspects of climbing. This was an incredible video! Love watching and I hope you'll visit the climbing gyms in Malaysia someday!
This put into words what I've been trying to explain to my friends for ages, I can't climb right now due to the UK lockdown and I'm really finding it hard lol. Thanks for this video it's sick
Same for me in Czechia. It was ok until winter came and the rock outside was too wet. I haven't climbed for a month and three days. The depression doesn't go very well with college exams.
Adrenaline from fear, endorphins from exercise, dopamine from succeeding when you finish a problem, a never ending supply of physical and mental challenges, learning how your body works, getting strong, and the community and friends you make doing it. Plus the feeling that our bodies were just meant to do it. This sport really has everything to lock someone into it. Now I just wish covid and winter would get out of my way so I can get back to climbing!
I see the concrete, non-arbitrary nature of climbing as one of its greatest strengths. You can usually explain everything a lay-person needs to know about someone on a route in two sentences. You can summarise the rules in another two. Simple, but with near infinite variation. Also the lack of a single optimal body type makes climbing a personal challenge to better yourself and learn your own style.
100% & the like movement of climbing can be so beautiful similar to dance, but it's the non-arbitrary nature of every movement that hooked me {as compared to e.g. ballet which ive tried to get into before}, like it all makes s e n s e even as a lay person i mean foot, hand, rock, Go Up
The community aspect is something that is often overlooked. I started climbing back in the early 90's at one of the first climbing gyms in the U.S. From day one there has been an unwritten rule that you greet everyone in a friendly manner (especially if you **don't** know them), and you encourage everyone when they're on the wall. Even at the highest levels of competition we actively try to help each other do better, and be better. We compete with ourselves far more than we could ever compete with each other. With very few exceptions the only time a climber looks down on anyone is because they are simply physically at a higher elevation. To quote the best commentary I've ever heard, "It's just our sport, that's how we do things"
yess one of the first climbing things i saw was an ifsc comp & i was like tearing up at how casual and friendly and pure was the commentary vs. the inhumanity of other sports/arts/disciplines
I’m not able to go rock climbing much and I’m not that great, but I remember the last time I went climbing, I spent so long on this one wall I was determined to figure out and I had no idea why. It was exhilarating and frustrating, but extremely enjoyable. The next day I could barely walk, yet I wanted to go again and again. Thank you for explaining this feeling so well.
Ah I remember this exact feeling when I went for the first few times as well. Even opening my car door was difficult. Glad you got to experience climbing and hope you can climb more in the future!
Next time I go to a competition I'll try and get more footage! There's a bit of footage here and there on the internet of me climbing at a few competitions if you look hard enough!
Thank you so much for this. I feel like you are the only one who understands me. This video helped me understand myself. I know why I love the gym so much now. My friends may never understand, but it feels nice to have someone understand even though you don't know me. Thank you so much Albert.
This video put into words what I’ve been feeling for the last 3 years, thank you! I joke constantly that being up on a wall cracks all my bones back into place after being cramped into an office chair all day, but it’s the truth.
Start a bit over a year ago, addicted since...in the gym they great me with ``you again?``. I was always okay at sports, I was very fit and everything but since I'm climbing I'm never not thinking about it, changed my life goals, my career path even bought a build-out van this week. I don't know what to say this video is just everything i am and i am so happy about it... Thanks for your videos Albert
This is my favorite video. earlier this morning i climbed my project and got a new high point, and i started thinking why i love climbing so much. Climbing is such an individual sport (not a bad thing) that the only opponent, is you. in team sports, you face against other teams, and if you lost, you could easliy blame the other team. but in climbing, the truth is, the only opponent is you. you have to beat yourself to get better, beat your past self to be better. you cant blame anyone for your mistake, when you climb, there's only you and the holds, no one else to blame if you couldnt reach that hold. but when you finally finished that project of yours, the sweat, the tears, all of that effort becomes worth it. this video point out so much more that i didn't notice before. thank you Albert, you gave me a whole new set of open eyes why i love this sport.
I’ve been climbing for 3 months, I go to the gym 5-6 days per week, for the past few weeks my lower back has had a knot in it. I’ve never felt more helpless in my life, I’ve been bored, unmotivated, and unhappy since I got injured. I come from playing hockey so the community for me is amazing and people you don’t know cheer you on. I know I will climb for the rest of my life.
@@Saphira486sa yeah I made the mistake of going to early, I went last week and coming down off the wall just pinched my back worse, just getting to the point where it’s not bothering me too bad, going to give it another week or so which will be so boring
I totally agree with how you explain the easiness of becoming addicted to climbing. Still, I would add that, literally, being in touch with mother earth is big part of that holistic feeling I'm addicted to when climbing outside. Also, having to trust in your partner is something very unique in climbing. Cheers, Angelo
Hi there Albert. Just wanted to tell you that your analysis in this video on 'the general characteristics of the climber's' explained to me as a parent to a 17 year old son, living in Israel, why he love bouldering so much, but also explained some more deep things in is character. Thanks for inlighting me as a parent.
Watched this video yesterday and sent my first v7 at Katy today haha. Dude your videos have gotten so much better. It’s weird as we all grow as climbers you grow as a TH-cam lmao.
one reason climbing is great for me is that it is in my mind one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise. i can get stronger and in better shape while also having fun. climbing is so much more enjoyable than doing something that might give similar results like weightlifting or something like calisthenics.
Well it's not impossible, a french bloke called Didier Delsalle once landed a helicopter on the top of everest, chilled there for two minutes and flew back down. And yea same, I hate that we cant go climbing in germany.
7:00 - is that Morrison? Bouldered on the opposite side a few years ago (on a road trip in passing) and that ridge in the background looks familiar. These are the traits of an addicted brain, "hmmm, that random rock looks familiar, release nostalgic endorphins in 3, 2, 1." Haha.
I've discovered it last summer, and I can't stop ❤️. It's the ultimate sport for shutting of your racing thoughts. Suffering from the lockdown and not being able to climb :( last time was end of October...
For me, climbing is about achievement. That feeling of triumph and achievement that you get when topping a problem you've been working on for a while or even across multiple sessions. But even if you don't top, as long as you get at least one grip further than last time or you find a way to do a move easier, you still end up feeling like you've achieved something. I do also like how when you get talking to others and you try different things on a problem, you all encourage each other, it's such a nice thing that everyone motivates everyone else when they are climbing. Even in competitions, everyone is still friendly and cheering each other on. For me with my mental health problems, climbing has been great. I hate 2020 for taking away my ability to go down climbing but hopefully in a couple of months when the vaccine is more spread out, I can get to climbing again and get back that feeling.
Going through a wrist injury right now and I can definitely relate to the feeling of withdrawal from not being able to climb. At times it feels like I'll never get back to where I was and that bums me out--but seeing videos like yours helps keep my head up and looking forward
I think you have missed the problem-solving aspect of climbing - that’s driven by dopamine not endorphins - and it’s highly addictive! Problem-solving is what makes solo climbing so fascinating. And it’s an aspect totally missing from running and other endurance sports.
Ever since I started this sport, climbing has been the only thing on my mind, I recently climbed my first v4 - v6 and that feeling after topping out is one of the best
Great video and thanks for sharing your view, which are some of many reasons why climbing is the best sport for anyone at any stage in their life. I found it 6 years ago by accident when I was picking up my Chinese exchange student from a basketball game. I saw a bunch of ropes, rock holds, etc. and figured I’d give it a try. I pumped out and gasped for air in 30 minutes, and I thought I was in great shape from MMA (Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai). Yep-addicted. What most people may not see are “the real world problem solving skills” (since climbs are problems). It helped me with a greater bond with my now college daughter (my climber in high school/on team/still climbs), work out things in my 14 year (2nd) marriage, better coping with PTSD (military vet), but most of all do things I may never had tried. For example, building my own 14 foot campus board, cave wall for myself, traverse wall for my youngest daughter (13) and building home gym style things. Climbing unlocks your capabilities to perform and be better as a person because it’s an individual mission with community of support.
ALLLBERT its hard to explain how special your channel is. I got a v7 in three trys today (it was my style and probably soft but whatever) thanks for reinforcing my love for climbing with your awesome videos! keep crushing it
I feel rock climbing is very similar to competative video games in a way, and is addicting for alot of the same reasons. When you see visual improvement while working something, which is made painstakingly obvious wether it be a number going up such as kdr in a game or the highest level of V you can boulder you just want to keep going at it. People don't get this same rush from something like soccer or football. Much like you said seeing your own's accomplishments is much more rewarding feeling than seeing your team's accomplisments. Even if you don't game or anything like that, seeing the grading scale go up is the most addicting factor much like a bank account going up.
amen, it scratches the same itch gaming does for me but actually makes me feel physically stronger in ways I never got from soccer. Definitely a much more productive hobby for me to do at this point than gaming solo
I love the videogame analogy! Bouldering reminds me of a boss fight from MMORPG’s like World of Warcraft. It’s about going up against a specific climbing route and trying to complete it. There are some parts of the route which are harder than others, and you slowly improve the more times you attempt the problem. You get closer to the top, with the earlier parts eventually becoming easier to the point of triviality once you work out how to do them. Finally, you reach the top (finishing the boss). This feeling of slowly improving at a specific problem and completing it is incredibly satisfying for me, whether in a videogame or otherwise. There is something nice about a very clear set of goals with an easy way to tell whether you’re improving. In addition to improving at bouldering in the technical sense, you also improve over time in terms of fitness and strength. To go back to the MMORPG example, improving these feels like acquiring better items and getting a higher level, while improving at the technical aspects feels like just getting more competent at the specific actions to take in the game.
Happy birthday! Cannot agree more with these sentiments. I started at the beginning of the year for ankle rehab and have fallen down the rabbit hole. Great video as always.
Interesting video. I think it's a little different for me, though. I'm afraid of heights (I climb only in the gym), and I find the fear unpleasant (as fear is designed to be). I climb despite the fear. I also climb alone, so no community. There's a couple things I really like about climbing. I like the basic physical activity of climbing. It has a childlike appeal. And it has full body physical exertion, which many exercises don't have. The other thing I like about climbing is the challenge of getting to the top. Sort of like the accomplishment aspect you cite, but it's the most basic accomplishment you can get in the sport -- climb up, climb down, repeat.
I started climbing last friday, I climbed for the second time this past tuesday and for the 3rd time yesterday. Yesterday I went with my cousin (who has never climbed) and we spent an hour and a half trying to climb a V4. I must have fell 40 times before finally lunging, reaching, and grabbing the hardest hold of the problem. The moment I grabbed and lifted myself, i felt such a rush of happiness and joy. my arms felt fully destroyed, but i loved it.
You rock! You always talk about all the interesting stuff in climbing I want the media to talk about. So well researched and presented. Quality is astounding. Please don't stop
my favourite thing about climbing is that it kind of mimicks the motivation you need in life, i guess - because moves that feel impossible at the start can became possible in only a short time with the right training and mindset. that's the beauty in climbing for me (mainly bouldering) - that i can accomplish things i thought were impossible for me, sometimes just by trying it more, that's wild. also the community, it's so versatile and so kind. :)
At the end of 2021 i broke up with my gf after a 6 year relationship. Instead of sitting around and sobbing all day, I started going to the climbing gym. The moment i started climbing i forgot about all the things that trouble my mind. It felt great and relaxing and pretty soon i started making progress, climbing harder routes and gaining alot of strenght. Now 4 months later i feel better than ever and it blows me away what my body is capable of doing. Last week i did my first 7b route and it felt amazing :p
I think its the fact that its so easy (initially) to get better at it. To put in that effort and immediately see improvement is the addictive part. Goals are addictive. (Especially short term goals) Training to reach a goal is addictive. (The more effort you put in the more improvement you see). Meanwhile its incredibly good for your mind, body and soul without any negatives! (minus the over-training injuries you will 100% get) !!! Whats not to love?
Hey Albert, first congrats for the 40k. I think the three reasons you said would be agreed also for most other sports. For me what makes climbing very unique it is that climbing is a sport both for mind ans body. Your serie Beta Breaker is the best proof of it. I think there is scarcely another sport which challenges both mind and body so perfectly together, and where you rely so much on creativity.
Climbing (returning to it after serious injury) was the thing that got me out of a serious 3+ year hole of depression, the lowest i can imagine sinking outside of doing hard drugs. Not only that, but the people i returned to welcomed me back with more than open arms and actively make my life better in ways that i find it hard to express the gratitude i feel for them and this sport. Love you all
Insightful! What made me love climbing was that I could do a whole body work out and not be near my phone for 3-4hrs without realising 😦 and then of course when you go outdoors and lie on the mats in your breaks and cloud watch is also very magical 🌞🌞🌞
Climbing is the only sport that has made me feel truly happy while doing it. With everything else there was this constant pressure of letting others down or feeling like I was too far behind in skill to ever catch up. With climbing, even when I fall, I have a sense within myself that I'm not failing, but in a constant state of improvement. That I can and will get better and I can have fun while doing so. I've never felt joy in competition with anyone but myself and this sport is perfect for that.
I have once heard that climbing is like meditation. I felt like I could relate to this a lot. I'm in a bad place sometimes, but climbing always gets me out of it, or at least, allows me to concentrate on moving my body precisley so I can't think about anything else. When I climb, I feel like I finally found something I was looking for. That's why I climb ❤
'flow state'! :') i feel like the recent climbing craze is probably quietly saving the mental health of a lotttt of people from the nonstop stress of modernity
Haven't finished watching yet, but climbing to me reminds me of playing tag as a child. In the same way world chase tag is a sport effectively allowing you to be a kid, climbing is very similar. Climbing and chasing/running are hard wired into our brains as activities for self preservation and survival. To do something that feels so full on and yet so innocently fun is at least to me an incredible experience
Iv been climbing since I was a elite gymnast as a kid. only I didnt call it "rock climbing" or see it as a sport on its own. It was just something fun I did. I have always prefered sports that is reliant on yourself only and not a team (although gymnastics we still technically compeated as a team, we still seen it as a solo comp but at the end our solo scores added together so I can still podium while my team doesnt) The addictive part is real, I find it harder to quit being a active sporty person that it was in rehab quitting meth after having a sports break after an injury. The 2 things that have sayed with me for the past 30 years has been my need to climb everything I see and runescape. Funny you should mention runescape as I just reached my 20 year veterans cape meaning the only stable thing in my life is my addiction to a game haha. I even check my GE trades on runescape mobil when I summit as I get phone reception at the top of the wall. The addiction for climbing and runescape to me feel the same and im glad im not alone in thinking that
although my climbing is different to rock climbers. I rock climb but to me, im use to gymnastics rope climbs etc so I dont see the need for a rope alot of times normal climbers do, I enjoy climbing buildings, poles, anything. I find alot of the climbing community is not actually a sporting community but instead a rope access worker who are saftey nerds who care more about saftey than doing extream sports. Kinda like a freestyle motorcross community full of road bike rider trying to yell his safe riding techniques to us as we hit a ramp doing a backflip cliffhanger.
For me climbing is a amazing sport cos i have many breathing problems so I run out of oxygen at runs at any speed but as the routes i do are static my lungs dont need to suffer. The only other things i found that work for me are unicycling and bow shooting as they arent as horrible to my lungs. In bicycling you often try to get fast and long ways wich tire me out again but i manage to get 15 min routes done
Youre right about the depressed feeling. Been locked down for 2 months straight here in Toronto and am going insane. The hangboard is my best friend and will preobably be forever. Until the gyms open again, ill be hanging around on a piece of wood, dreaming of the plastic and rock that sits waiting, and waiting .
); sorry you have to be in lockdown for so long. When it opens again though your fingers will be so strong that you'll be able to do everything in the gym!!!
That feel when you spent all day trying that one route and finally send it, Is magical.
That feel when you go on an easier route and just feel that nice flow, and start swagging a bit, is magical.
That feel when you get on a route that you would have expected to have trouble with, but just end up crushing it, is magical.
Climbing is just magical.
FUCK YES!!
Hell yea, amen to all of those 🙏
AMEN
Climbing is addictive because it allows you to go through a constant cycle of challenge, growth and achievement. Once you are good at running, you need to work *really* hard to get better. Same goes for most other sports I can think of. In climbing you can find continuous brand new challenges that will feel hard until you overcome them even if you never climb above V3. Also it allows you solve these challenges not just with strength but intelligence in a combination I don't think any other sport has. The final icing on the cake is it promotes a sense of "flow" which other sports have as well but perhaps not in such an accessible way.
yes! apparently the man who coined the term 'flow' was a climber - mihaly csikszentmihalyi
Trueee
I started 5 months ago and have not been able to stop, I've loved it
I'm glad you started :)
Same, a couple of weeks ago I also started getting on a schedule that allows for 3 days on and a rest day.
*Quarantine*: Let me give you a hand
Literally the same!
I'm trying to start. But idk how or where
As someone coming from a school team sports background from middle school - college, I'd say the act of training for climbing is much more fun than the act of training for other sports. While you may think you might die while climbing, that's more preferable to me than feeling like you're actively dying while trying to pr on a 13 mile run or getting through a 2x10k workout on the erg. Training for climbing is often more chill and taxing in a more fun and mentally easy way (imo).
Totally agree. Did a lot of running with the required training that comes with it. While I loved training with people who run at the same speed as me, I've found that the type of training you do for climbing is the thing I look forward the most. Can't really explain but I just love it.
The mental stimulus from climbing just can't be beat!
1000%. I did multiple competitive sports for years and climbing is the most fun I've ever had doing a sport.
For me, climbing felt like a sport where I could explore the variations of problem solving with my body in a way that was unique to all the other various sports I had tried before. I wasn't necessarily strong or fearless; falling still terrified me, and I still don't have enough strength to do a pull up. But it's the endorphins, the achievement, the community of supportive people that inevitably encourages me to continue climbing in every place I'm at. All I want to do is climb and learn how to do more of it. It feels incredible to be up on the wall, and to feel alive. Breaking beta is also one of the most satisfying aspects of climbing. This was an incredible video! Love watching and I hope you'll visit the climbing gyms in Malaysia someday!
Yes! This is exactly the spirit of climbing, I'll come to Malaysia one day!
This put into words what I've been trying to explain to my friends for ages, I can't climb right now due to the UK lockdown and I'm really finding it hard lol. Thanks for this video it's sick
Ahh sorry to hear that, hope things open and get safer for you soon so you can hit the gym again!
Same for me in Czechia. It was ok until winter came and the rock outside was too wet.
I haven't climbed for a month and three days. The depression doesn't go very well with college exams.
Ik the lockdowns are so random, you get one month back and have to stop again
Adrenaline from fear, endorphins from exercise, dopamine from succeeding when you finish a problem, a never ending supply of physical and mental challenges, learning how your body works, getting strong, and the community and friends you make doing it. Plus the feeling that our bodies were just meant to do it. This sport really has everything to lock someone into it. Now I just wish covid and winter would get out of my way so I can get back to climbing!
I see the concrete, non-arbitrary nature of climbing as one of its greatest strengths. You can usually explain everything a lay-person needs to know about someone on a route in two sentences. You can summarise the rules in another two. Simple, but with near infinite variation. Also the lack of a single optimal body type makes climbing a personal challenge to better yourself and learn your own style.
100%
& the like movement of climbing can be so beautiful similar to dance, but it's the non-arbitrary nature of every movement that hooked me {as compared to e.g. ballet which ive tried to get into before}, like it all makes s e n s e even as a lay person i mean foot, hand, rock, Go Up
@@safetythesky1858 There is definitely a single optimal body type.
The community aspect is something that is often overlooked. I started climbing back in the early 90's at one of the first climbing gyms in the U.S. From day one there has been an unwritten rule that you greet everyone in a friendly manner (especially if you **don't** know them), and you encourage everyone when they're on the wall.
Even at the highest levels of competition we actively try to help each other do better, and be better. We compete with ourselves far more than we could ever compete with each other. With very few exceptions the only time a climber looks down on anyone is because they are simply physically at a higher elevation. To quote the best commentary I've ever heard, "It's just our sport, that's how we do things"
yess one of the first climbing things i saw was an ifsc comp & i was like tearing up at how casual and friendly and pure was the commentary
vs. the inhumanity of other sports/arts/disciplines
I’m not able to go rock climbing much and I’m not that great, but I remember the last time I went climbing, I spent so long on this one wall I was determined to figure out and I had no idea why. It was exhilarating and frustrating, but extremely enjoyable. The next day I could barely walk, yet I wanted to go again and again.
Thank you for explaining this feeling so well.
Ah I remember this exact feeling when I went for the first few times as well. Even opening my car door was difficult. Glad you got to experience climbing and hope you can climb more in the future!
Can you show more of you and your friends climbing in competition, would be cool to see more non professionals climbing
Next time I go to a competition I'll try and get more footage! There's a bit of footage here and there on the internet of me climbing at a few competitions if you look hard enough!
boom roasted
Just recognized my home crag- Morrison south, CO, at 7:09. Awesome send.
Thank you so much for this. I feel like you are the only one who understands me. This video helped me understand myself. I know why I love the gym so much now. My friends may never understand, but it feels nice to have someone understand even though you don't know me. Thank you so much Albert.
The thing is that climbing, no matter what age you start, people will support you and it doesn’t feel like a competition to see who is better
yess even the comp commentaries feel like conversations between friends a lot of the time it's so pure
This video put into words what I’ve been feeling for the last 3 years, thank you! I joke constantly that being up on a wall cracks all my bones back into place after being cramped into an office chair all day, but it’s the truth.
Start a bit over a year ago, addicted since...in the gym they great me with ``you again?``. I was always okay at sports, I was very fit and everything but since I'm climbing I'm never not thinking about it, changed my life goals, my career path even bought a build-out van this week. I don't know what to say this video is just everything i am and i am so happy about it... Thanks for your videos Albert
This is my favorite video. earlier this morning i climbed my project and got a new high point, and i started thinking why i love climbing so much.
Climbing is such an individual sport (not a bad thing) that the only opponent, is you. in team sports, you face against other teams, and if you lost, you could easliy blame the other team. but in climbing, the truth is, the only opponent is you. you have to beat yourself to get better, beat your past self to be better. you cant blame anyone for your mistake, when you climb, there's only you and the holds, no one else to blame if you couldnt reach that hold.
but when you finally finished that project of yours, the sweat, the tears, all of that effort becomes worth it. this video point out so much more that i didn't notice before.
thank you Albert, you gave me a whole new set of open eyes why i love this sport.
I’ve been climbing for 3 months, I go to the gym 5-6 days per week, for the past few weeks my lower back has had a knot in it. I’ve never felt more helpless in my life, I’ve been bored, unmotivated, and unhappy since I got injured. I come from playing hockey so the community for me is amazing and people you don’t know cheer you on. I know I will climb for the rest of my life.
Take more rest even if you want to climb! You need your rest so you can have new energy if you go again
@@Saphira486sa yeah I made the mistake of going to early, I went last week and coming down off the wall just pinched my back worse, just getting to the point where it’s not bothering me too bad, going to give it another week or so which will be so boring
Hope you heal up quick! Sounds like you know a thing or two about sports so you know what to do! Good luck and climb hard when you're back!
I totally agree with how you explain the easiness of becoming addicted to climbing. Still, I would add that, literally, being in touch with mother earth is big part of that holistic feeling I'm addicted to when climbing outside. Also, having to trust in your partner is something very unique in climbing.
Cheers, Angelo
Because it is.... It just is Albert.
y e s :)
Hi there Albert.
Just wanted to tell you that your analysis in this video on 'the general characteristics of the climber's' explained to me as a parent to a 17 year old son, living in Israel, why he love bouldering so much, but also explained some more deep things in is character. Thanks for inlighting me as a parent.
Watched this video yesterday and sent my first v7 at Katy today haha. Dude your videos have gotten so much better. It’s weird as we all grow as climbers you grow as a TH-cam lmao.
9:10 I don't know, I think flying a helicoper to the top of mount everest would be pretty challenging xD
Can't be done btw
LOL, the air pressure is so low that you can't breathe let alone fly a Heli
Man straight up called me a nerd ... fair enough
thank you for making this and presenting our addiction in such an eloquent manner
one reason climbing is great for me is that it is in my mind one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise. i can get stronger and in better shape while also having fun. climbing is so much more enjoyable than doing something that might give similar results like weightlifting or something like calisthenics.
Me: Ok, I really should go to sleep now
Albert Ok: *posts a video*
Me: Sleep is overrated
SORRY! Hope you got sleep though
of course, we know that sleep is underrated if anything.
Amazing Video (as always). Cant wait for the gyms to Open Up in Germany again.
Well it's not impossible, a french bloke called Didier Delsalle once landed a helicopter on the top of everest, chilled there for two minutes and flew back down.
And yea same, I hate that we cant go climbing in germany.
@@aljoschasoll3179 ty
7:00 - is that Morrison? Bouldered on the opposite side a few years ago (on a road trip in passing) and that ridge in the background looks familiar. These are the traits of an addicted brain, "hmmm, that random rock looks familiar, release nostalgic endorphins in 3, 2, 1." Haha.
I've discovered it last summer, and I can't stop ❤️. It's the ultimate sport for shutting of your racing thoughts. Suffering from the lockdown and not being able to climb :( last time was end of October...
For me, climbing is about achievement.
That feeling of triumph and achievement that you get when topping a problem you've been working on for a while or even across multiple sessions. But even if you don't top, as long as you get at least one grip further than last time or you find a way to do a move easier, you still end up feeling like you've achieved something.
I do also like how when you get talking to others and you try different things on a problem, you all encourage each other, it's such a nice thing that everyone motivates everyone else when they are climbing. Even in competitions, everyone is still friendly and cheering each other on.
For me with my mental health problems, climbing has been great. I hate 2020 for taking away my ability to go down climbing but hopefully in a couple of months when the vaccine is more spread out, I can get to climbing again and get back that feeling.
Going through a wrist injury right now and I can definitely relate to the feeling of withdrawal from not being able to climb. At times it feels like I'll never get back to where I was and that bums me out--but seeing videos like yours helps keep my head up and looking forward
Beautiful video, brother! The narrative in the background was fantastic
I think you have missed the problem-solving aspect of climbing - that’s driven by dopamine not endorphins - and it’s highly addictive! Problem-solving is what makes solo climbing so fascinating. And it’s an aspect totally missing from running and other endurance sports.
Ever since I started this sport, climbing has been the only thing on my mind, I recently climbed my first v4 - v6 and that feeling after topping out is one of the best
Great video and thanks for sharing your view, which are some of many reasons why climbing is the best sport for anyone at any stage in their life. I found it 6 years ago by accident when I was picking up my Chinese exchange student from a basketball game. I saw a bunch of ropes, rock holds, etc. and figured I’d give it a try. I pumped out and gasped for air in 30 minutes, and I thought I was in great shape from MMA (Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai). Yep-addicted. What most people may not see are “the real world problem solving skills” (since climbs are problems). It helped me with a greater bond with my now college daughter (my climber in high school/on team/still climbs), work out things in my 14 year (2nd) marriage, better coping with PTSD (military vet), but most of all do things I may never had tried. For example, building my own 14 foot campus board, cave wall for myself, traverse wall for my youngest daughter (13) and building home gym style things. Climbing unlocks your capabilities to perform and be better as a person because it’s an individual mission with community of support.
yess the life skills transfer
beautiful story ^^
ALLLBERT its hard to explain how special your channel is. I got a v7 in three trys today (it was my style and probably soft but whatever) thanks for reinforcing my love for climbing with your awesome videos!
keep crushing it
Heck yes! That's the way to go!
I feel rock climbing is very similar to competative video games in a way, and is addicting for alot of the same reasons. When you see visual improvement while working something, which is made painstakingly obvious wether it be a number going up such as kdr in a game or the highest level of V you can boulder you just want to keep going at it. People don't get this same rush from something like soccer or football. Much like you said seeing your own's accomplishments is much more rewarding feeling than seeing your team's accomplisments.
Even if you don't game or anything like that, seeing the grading scale go up is the most addicting factor much like a bank account going up.
amen, it scratches the same itch gaming does for me but actually makes me feel physically stronger in ways I never got from soccer. Definitely a much more productive hobby for me to do at this point than gaming solo
This is one of the best video that speaks to me as a climber
I love the videogame analogy! Bouldering reminds me of a boss fight from MMORPG’s like World of Warcraft. It’s about going up against a specific climbing route and trying to complete it. There are some parts of the route which are harder than others, and you slowly improve the more times you attempt the problem. You get closer to the top, with the earlier parts eventually becoming easier to the point of triviality once you work out how to do them. Finally, you reach the top (finishing the boss).
This feeling of slowly improving at a specific problem and completing it is incredibly satisfying for me, whether in a videogame or otherwise. There is something nice about a very clear set of goals with an easy way to tell whether you’re improving.
In addition to improving at bouldering in the technical sense, you also improve over time in terms of fitness and strength. To go back to the MMORPG example, improving these feels like acquiring better items and getting a higher level, while improving at the technical aspects feels like just getting more competent at the specific actions to take in the game.
Happy birthday!
Cannot agree more with these sentiments. I started at the beginning of the year for ankle rehab and have fallen down the rabbit hole. Great video as always.
Thank you! I hope your ankle gets better quick!
Interesting video. I think it's a little different for me, though. I'm afraid of heights (I climb only in the gym), and I find the fear unpleasant (as fear is designed to be). I climb despite the fear. I also climb alone, so no community. There's a couple things I really like about climbing. I like the basic physical activity of climbing. It has a childlike appeal. And it has full body physical exertion, which many exercises don't have. The other thing I like about climbing is the challenge of getting to the top. Sort of like the accomplishment aspect you cite, but it's the most basic accomplishment you can get in the sport -- climb up, climb down, repeat.
Same for me!
I started climbing last friday, I climbed for the second time this past tuesday and for the 3rd time yesterday. Yesterday I went with my cousin (who has never climbed) and we spent an hour and a half trying to climb a V4. I must have fell 40 times before finally lunging, reaching, and grabbing the hardest hold of the problem. The moment I grabbed and lifted myself, i felt such a rush of happiness and joy. my arms felt fully destroyed, but i loved it.
I got a v4 last time I went and I cant wait to try this new v4 there but im weak
i love your videos
pls never stop making them
A climbing video with a few osrs clips mixed in? My dreams really have come true!
Oldschool runescape in a climbing video, wild times
2021, anything can happen :)
Buying gf 100gp
Your videos are so freaking great. I love all of them so much. Much love to all of you!!
You rock! You always talk about all the interesting stuff in climbing I want the media to talk about. So well researched and presented. Quality is astounding. Please don't stop
Nice pun 😜
my favourite thing about climbing is that it kind of mimicks the motivation you need in life, i guess - because moves that feel impossible at the start can became possible in only a short time with the right training and mindset. that's the beauty in climbing for me (mainly bouldering) - that i can accomplish things i thought were impossible for me, sometimes just by trying it more, that's wild.
also the community, it's so versatile and so kind. :)
This is one of our better videos technical speaking. I enjoyed it!
Such a nicely put together video! I’ll start forwarding this vid to my non-caliber friends who ask why i love climbing so much
Great video man. You know you're addicted when you think about chalking up for arbitrary tasks, like making coffee.
Saw the skwamas! Big fan of those shoes 🔥🔥Great vid
Solid shoe! Really good all around shoe.
@@AlbertOkay agreed! I’m on my second pair
At the end of 2021 i broke up with my gf after a 6 year relationship. Instead of sitting around and sobbing all day, I started going to the climbing gym. The moment i started climbing i forgot about all the things that trouble my mind. It felt great and relaxing and pretty soon i started making progress, climbing harder routes and gaining alot of strenght.
Now 4 months later i feel better than ever and it blows me away what my body is capable of doing. Last week i did my first 7b route and it felt amazing :p
Ayyyy I was at that Bouldering Gym at 2:30 (Momentum, Silverstreet in Houston) a few weeks ago, that's sick!
@6:40 is a climb called Coaches Corner V9, in Morrison CO
I think its the fact that its so easy (initially) to get better at it. To put in that effort and immediately see improvement is the addictive part. Goals are addictive. (Especially short term goals) Training to reach a goal is addictive. (The more effort you put in the more improvement you see). Meanwhile its incredibly good for your mind, body and soul without any negatives! (minus the over-training injuries you will 100% get) !!! Whats not to love?
Fantastic video, very well articulated!
your videos are almost as addictive as rock climbing, keep them coming, watched all of beta break last night, great playlist !
Dude your videos are always so good
Hey Albert, first congrats for the 40k. I think the three reasons you said would be agreed also for most other sports. For me what makes climbing very unique it is that climbing is a sport both for mind ans body. Your serie Beta Breaker is the best proof of it. I think there is scarcely another sport which challenges both mind and body so perfectly together, and where you rely so much on creativity.
Holy moly, what a wonderful video! Thank you for that, Albert. Well done!
Thank you for the comment :) I APPRECIATE YOU!
Climbing (returning to it after serious injury) was the thing that got me out of a serious 3+ year hole of depression, the lowest i can imagine sinking outside of doing hard drugs. Not only that, but the people i returned to welcomed me back with more than open arms and actively make my life better in ways that i find it hard to express the gratitude i feel for them and this sport. Love you all
Hey man! are you in Houston? looks like silver street momentum
Insightful! What made me love climbing was that I could do a whole body work out and not be near my phone for 3-4hrs without realising 😦 and then of course when you go outdoors and lie on the mats in your breaks and cloud watch is also very magical 🌞🌞🌞
Time really passes by when you're having fun, especially when climbing :)
Love this, my birthday was yesterday and just spent it climbing too😭
Amazing video Albert
Dasani! Nice to see Morrison Colorado. in your video.
Addictive
THANK YOU
Climbing is the only sport that has made me feel truly happy while doing it. With everything else there was this constant pressure of letting others down or feeling like I was too far behind in skill to ever catch up. With climbing, even when I fall, I have a sense within myself that I'm not failing, but in a constant state of improvement. That I can and will get better and I can have fun while doing so. I've never felt joy in competition with anyone but myself and this sport is perfect for that.
Couldn't agree more with you. Excellent video!
Thanks Brendan!
I have once heard that climbing is like meditation. I felt like I could relate to this a lot. I'm in a bad place sometimes, but climbing always gets me out of it, or at least, allows me to concentrate on moving my body precisley so I can't think about anything else. When I climb, I feel like I finally found something I was looking for.
That's why I climb ❤
'flow state'! :') i feel like the recent climbing craze is probably quietly saving the mental health of a lotttt of people from the nonstop stress of modernity
Haven't finished watching yet, but climbing to me reminds me of playing tag as a child. In the same way world chase tag is a sport effectively allowing you to be a kid, climbing is very similar. Climbing and chasing/running are hard wired into our brains as activities for self preservation and survival. To do something that feels so full on and yet so innocently fun is at least to me an incredible experience
Iv been climbing since I was a elite gymnast as a kid. only I didnt call it "rock climbing" or see it as a sport on its own. It was just something fun I did. I have always prefered sports that is reliant on yourself only and not a team (although gymnastics we still technically compeated as a team, we still seen it as a solo comp but at the end our solo scores added together so I can still podium while my team doesnt)
The addictive part is real, I find it harder to quit being a active sporty person that it was in rehab quitting meth after having a sports break after an injury. The 2 things that have sayed with me for the past 30 years has been my need to climb everything I see and runescape.
Funny you should mention runescape as I just reached my 20 year veterans cape meaning the only stable thing in my life is my addiction to a game haha. I even check my GE trades on runescape mobil when I summit as I get phone reception at the top of the wall. The addiction for climbing and runescape to me feel the same and im glad im not alone in thinking that
although my climbing is different to rock climbers. I rock climb but to me, im use to gymnastics rope climbs etc so I dont see the need for a rope alot of times normal climbers do, I enjoy climbing buildings, poles, anything.
I find alot of the climbing community is not actually a sporting community but instead a rope access worker who are saftey nerds who care more about saftey than doing extream sports.
Kinda like a freestyle motorcross community full of road bike rider trying to yell his safe riding techniques to us as we hit a ramp doing a backflip cliffhanger.
@@FustFPV theres always the free soloists if you're a scorner of the ropes
Awesome video! Quality just keeps going up!
Thank you river t!
You did the eagles dirty at 4:51 with the outdated Superbowl chart lol. Great video tho I love the channel!
OOOooooh crap hahaha....and I even lived in PA LOL EDP445 would hate me
7:53 What was that challenge? 100 boulers in one session? How long did it take you?
Yeah, I want to know too, I kinda wanna try it
This was such a fun video! Loved to see my home gym 🌈✨
I love your insights! Thank you for enabling my addiction
Proud to be an early subscriber, keep up the great work!
The One Punch Man reference at the end hit home :’)
@5:18, is THAT a flyer from SPORTROCK!? That’s my old gym! (Back when they first opened in the 90s)
Nice vids and great narration :)
Watching this while delaying the end of my sesh at the gym.
Sometimes the hardest part of the day is leaving the gym );
Literally the video I’ve been waiting for! 😄
:)
albert i love this thank you
For me climbing is a amazing sport cos i have many breathing problems so I run out of oxygen at runs at any speed but as the routes i do are static my lungs dont need to suffer. The only other things i found that work for me are unicycling and bow shooting as they arent as horrible to my lungs. In bicycling you often try to get fast and long ways wich tire me out again but i manage to get 15 min routes done
I just realized you're a momentum silver street, that's my gym!
Love your content!
well done! excellent video :)
Thank you IcyThane!
great video!
Awesome video, made my day better
:)
I love your gyms crash pad chairs haha
Never thought i'd see OSRS in your videos LOL, got a chuckle out of me
great video!!!
because its always changing
Yes!
Seeing this video when coming back from outside bouldering... surrounded by deep snow at freezing temperatures (and loving it 😬).
Youre right about the depressed feeling. Been locked down for 2 months straight here in Toronto and am going insane. The hangboard is my best friend and will preobably be forever. Until the gyms open again, ill be hanging around on a piece of wood, dreaming of the plastic and rock that sits waiting, and waiting .
); sorry you have to be in lockdown for so long. When it opens again though your fingers will be so strong that you'll be able to do everything in the gym!!!
Started 4 years ago. Haven't looked back since
:)
Me too 3 yrs in .........absolutely hooked!💪🏻🧗🏻♂️🏴
Sick new vid Albert! Awesome I got to help lol
meditative, demands full body awareness and calm