I finally climbed 7a (5.11d) || Road to 7a Episode 3
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- Head to altitudeclimbi... to sign up for a free mini-training that Hazel and Altitude have put together that dispels some of the biggest myths and faulty advice when it comes to overcoming fear of falling.
In this episode I attempt to complete my long term goal of leading a 7a route.
Videography:
Kieran Duncan: / kieranjduncan
@Kim_Norrie
Thumbnails and photography:
@Kim_Norrie
7a outside after only 2 years is legit dude.
7b next
I'd come up with bigger goals, not grade based, aim for routes that are inspiring to you and look cool.
You could even begin to think about first ascents, trips that you want to go on etc
Cheers. It was a journey!
@@MikeBoydClimbsbest life advise I’ve figured out for myself and I actually hate it…..if you’re bad at something, do it more” find the worst 7a style for you and get to suffering
@@timmynastics I would do the worst slab around my grade and keep failing and failing. But if you succeed you feel so good
@@MikeBoydClimbs maybe a road to free solo series is next! That would be an EPIC capstone to this journey.
@@wheuler_6969
Do you climb?
Because I usually see people who dont climb suggest soloing in comments under videos
Enjoyed your 'post-send blues', it's quite amusing to see you articulate the climbing cycle, it's not a goal you need, it's inspiration and I think that came across well.
Thanks. I'm glad it came across clearly.
Hey Mike, I follow your Channel for many years now. This is the first time I write a comment. I started climbing when I was fifty years old, together with my sons. They needed a car and a driver…okay, I climbed my first 7a at the age of fifty three (I am seventy now). It took me like thirty tries, steep, overhanging and partly pretty slippery. Typical Frankenjura climb. When I finally got it, I was soooo proud and the photos my friend and belayer took showed a happy man. Your success brings up these emotions again, after all these years…
That's awesome to hear that you got so good after starting in your 50s! I was always worried I'd missed the boat as I'd started when I was 31! Inspiring words
Still climbing, okay, it's 6a or maybe 6b nowadays, but it makes me believe that (sometimes...) age is just a number 😂
@@WyCV567Holy fuck if this is true you're the coolest 70 year old ever
In the videogame industry, we spent years working towards launching a game. It's the ultimate climax of everything dozens of people have spent years of their life working towards. And then... And then....
It's just. The next day. It's called post-release depression and it's almost universal. It happens with players who finish a game they spent months playing, and with any big creative project really. The cure is underwhelming - Simply being able to enjoy the process, find the fun, have pride in your craft, however it applies.
And Mike, you can be proud. as. fuck. Well done, 7A BAYBEE!
I can't even begin to imagine how devs of games like Concord feel. THanks for the input!
I definitely get it. I ran my first marathon beginning of April, and I can count on my hands the number of times I've been running since. Without a big goal to aim for I feel lost, but it's hard to start a new big project because you know first hand what a time commitment it is.
I've climbed for a while now and every time I break a new monumental feeling grade, I do feel an incredible rush of satisfaction that lasts for about an hour, and then it's just right back to the grind. Especially the days after when people ask me about my new hardest ascent, I feel disproportionately emotionless about it. In those moments I realize that I should be happy and proud, but all I can think is that some people grade it 7c+ instead of 8a, and that I need to do more to be satisfied.
I've come to terms with the fact that I will never be satisfied, but I keep trying :)
After 50 years of dedicated climbing on all types of routes up to E6, I have to say how impressed and stunned I am by your mindset, approach and results.
There's so much that decades of experience can provide, but it can also make us blind and deaf to so much that you've had to learn and develop. So much that can be taken for granted.
Thank you for the reminder and the vital lessons.
thanks for the input. I've always wondered how experienced climbers would view these videos.
Superb edit... It's been a real pleasure to help film your progress over the past couple of years man, time flies! I definitely understand the post climb blues, but I think there's a LOT of joy to be had in consolidating those harder grades until they don't feel so intimidating. Then the harder project will naturally present themselves. Imagine being able to rock up in Kalymnos and climb any 7a? So many incredible routes just waiting to be ticked... looking forward to the trip this season. I reckon you'll be my rope gun this time!
cheers Kieran. Its been awesome having you by my side the whole way!
You are a fantastic story teller, I love your climbing content. Its so much harder to do what you have in such a short amount of time and then add the pressure amd faff of recording it all. When tou started your climbing channel i never thought it would become one of my favorite in the climbing space, but I'm so stoked whenever a new video drops. Congrats on your accomplishments, and I look forward to following your journey!
Very kind words! It is a faff to film 😂
I've been climbing for ages, and i can say yes, there is definitely sometimes a deflated feeling sometimes. Sometimes i get a buzz that lasts for days. Both are very temporary.
The great thing is that, for me, the drive to continue to keep improving and trying new harder routes vibes back very quickly. I bet you are just as psyched for new goals already
Dude. This was excellent. You and this channel was the tipping point that took me from watching climbing videos on YT to actually doing it IRL, and I'm hooked. Congrats on the send, can't wait to see the next one :D
Totally normal to have a feeling of flatness after investing so much physical and emotional effort into anything! Taking time to do other things you enjoy to recharge the batteries or try different climbing pursuits, say trying to go for volume, or climbing "well" or just trying to set a goal of having a pleasant day out in a beautiful place can all help pass the time while you wait for the inspiration to strike again. No need to force it.
Kudos to you and anyone else who puts effort into difficult things! Has been fun watching your climbing journey. I appreciate how you don't understate the difficulty to seem cool. Climbing is such a unique individual challenge for everyone. It's a lovely thing to share.
I only managed 7a outside this year, and that's after climbing for 7 years! So to do it in 2 is phenomenal! I get the post send blues, but you are absolutely right, the mission is always just to keep climbing, there will always be harder grades, or even climbs at the same grade that spit you off - the goal is whatever you want it to be, or whatever is in front of you at the time. Godspeed with your journey to 8a! 💪
Set grade goals to form a base, 7b, E2 and V7/8 will do so most climbs are available. Subsequently, set goals that will form memories, examples being completing Ken WIlson's Classic rock, abroad trips to Font, the Dolomites etc, completing 4000ers in the Alps, Cuillin Ridge and Old Man of Hoy etc.
Ignore grades. Make your project whatever route you like. Whether thats 6a or 7c. You might never get a certain grade, you might injure a knee or ankle and drop down a few grades and never repeat what you just did. Set your goal to any fun route/boulder and ignore the measuring stick. Comparison if the thief of joy, that also applies when you're comparing against a measuring stick
Thats different for every person, this guy was clearly motivated to get 7a, which is fine....
Congrats Mike ! Really good job
I also done my first 7a last week, achieving this transe state. Being able to climb so freely, with so much focus was clearly one of my best climbing memory !
Nice! That memory will stick with you forever!
Post send blues is your own way of realising you're better than you understood, and your goals weren't big enough! Absolutely epic mate. Like you said, there is no end, just millions of mini learnings and fun! Our true sport is learning, and climbing is the inlet for that!
Well said! Thanks for watching
I have discovered your channel and I like what you do. What you are going thru is … completely normal. I think something clicked now on your brain and you are ready to move on from 7a being a barrier. Congratulations. Enjoy ALL of this. Cheers.
thanks. I think you're right. I'm enjoying the process!
My favourite part of projecting is that micro beta, but if you did it that quickly, 7a is definitely not your limit. I did my first ultra project, took me over a year to send, trying it 2-6x a week. I could dream that route, I could do all the individual moves a month in (but improved them over time, or changed them) and when I finally sent it, I had energy left in the tank...
The thing is, I learned to enjoy the process, more than the send. Up to 8a!
The micro beta makes all the difference!
Hey Mike. It’s been great watching Kim and yourself getting to grips with climbing. You’ve both come on so well in such a short amount of time! I’ve really enjoyed helping you achieve your 1st 7a lead. I’m learning to climb better from you now. Best of all we’ve got a cool wee group of friends we regularly climb with, most of whom I might not have even spoken to if not for yourself. Thanks :)
This is one of the most beautiful climbing videos on TH-cam! Outstanding storytelling, congrats mate!
"it wasnt even hard" hell yeah man I know that feeling. At about that level the difference between sending and not is whether you just do the correct move one after another. If you do, and your technique is right and you know the beta, you'll just fly up. If its not, then you'll lose energy and confidence early on and the crux will be desperate.
totally. Anything out of sequence and I was off!
This has become my favorite climbing channel, surpassing all the classic ones. The cinematography, storytelling, honesty... so good!
that's really nice to hear ❤️
Road to onsight E1, 7a and flash V6! And then road to onsight most E1, 7a and flashing most V6!
That's actually an interesting goal. Never thought of that
@@MikeBoydClimbs With this year marking my VS, HVS and E1 leads, I'm going back to severes and trying to onsight as much as possible. Rocking up to random climbs is intimidating (I just repeated a Diff on the three sisters and had to have a talk to myself despite seconding E2's and E3's this year). Climbing is weird!
Absolutely this. Chasing grades can get quite demoralising. I've never managed to get v7, but I'm slowly ticking off more v6 problems after working them for a few sessions and getting comfortable flashing v5... I've found that I'm happy getting more comfortable at my worked grade and not worrying too much about that next grade level, and it took me a long time to realise that...
Exactly, and the V6 should be outdoors not indoors (unless I missed the outdoor V6 vid..?) Plus, for me at least, placing the quickdraws myself too and not having them pre-placed often makes a route feel half a grade harder.... And to quote the cycling phrase from Greg Lemond, it never gets easier you just get faster.... Similar situation in climbing when you're training at your limits...
@@fastasasloth Not sure placing quickdraws is the challenge of sport climbing - it does make things a bit harder but it's only a part of sport climbing because there aren't permadraws on everything. I've yet to see a 'name' sport climb online where they placed draws while climbing for instance.
Mike, i do not usually comment but i would like to say this. I quit alcohol 2 days before you upload the video sharing that you will try to quit alcohol. Still i am doing fine. Before I was drinking daily one or two beers or two three glasses of wine with the food or while relaxing after work. I travel a lot with work and i meet people, join them in dinners and lunches but all respect my personal challenge (even though i am from Balkans...-if you do not drink you cannot be trusted- culture). I feel good, i do not miss it and i will continue try to improve. BTW after 10 months i can lead some 5c and my plan is to access the 6a before end of the year. Let's see. Just for you to know, your video inspired me and boosted my effort. I am not alone, you are not alone. keep climbing
I'm still sober too 💪
7a is a magical grade! It took me ages to get the first one. But it's like a secret code, once you've done one, you'll start doing many more really quick! Built up your pyramid, and keep going!
Thanks for the info!
I think iys the confidence boost, it takes so long to achieve that you decide you'll calm down after it but then when it happens you can't stop going
I'm currently in the middle of projecting my first 5.12a and have done 3 sessions on it so far. The parallels I've experienced match so close to what you depicted in this video. It was extremely encouraging to hear your experience of feeling like you just aren't fit enough to get through it all from the ground up, to suddenly finding moves way easier.
My last session had me feeling like even though I have done all the individual moves on the climb, there's no way I could do it all in one go. They are so hard and pumpy from start to finish, and the crux is in the second half. But now I have hope that if I just keep at it, things will start locking in with better movement.
I have not felt the post-send blues you speak of yet, but I hope that being aware of it because of this video will serve as a vaccine against it.
Can't wait to see what comes next for you!
good luck with the project! If you do experience the blues, know that it will pass with some rest and some easy climbing!
Just at the end hearing you say “there’s really no end to climbing” I just went “YESSSS” because after every project you only get more and more psyched to try harder!! Like getting started is the hardest part like when I did my first 7a it took me like a year and a half then I started to try harder and wanted to do so much harder after that and ended up getting harder and harder sends after, no doubt it’ll be the same for you, 8a HERE WE COME!!
Been following up for years and will keep watching for years to come.. love the way you frame your climbing journey, got a similar feeling from climbing 7B to completely ripping my wrist apart like minced meat and then working my way back for 7 years from 5b. I'm at 6c+ now. Rehab is the way, not quitting. The journey is to valuable. Plz keep inspiring people dude
Congrats Mike! Its so nice to have a more relatable climbing TH-camr. Its taken me ~5 years to do an outdoor 7a (in font) and i often feel terrible watcjing some people progress to 8a within the same time on the internet. So thank you for these vids man
If you've done 7a in Font you're probably already at 8a in reality 😜
Seriously though, thanks for your kind words.
@@MikeBoydClimbs haha don't tempt me. I did 7a in albarracin but in my mind it didn't 'count' until I did it in font. It's funny how our minds shift the goalposts that way. Even though I am happy and satisfied with 7a in the land of 7's I still feel like until I do one here in Ireland it won't count 😂
The journey is the destination. Congrats Mike!
I just love how happy she is for you. How proud she is. Warms my heart. ❤
always by my side❤️
Amazing work dude, congrats for what must have been before all a deeply enriching and satisfying journey.
Funnily enough, I started climbing at the same time as you (a lot), with the ultimate goal of becoming a mountain guide (which requires a 7A persistent onsight level), and I'm almost at the same stage (just climbed my first 7A a few weeks ago), and onsighting 6A/6Bs.
For your next goal, 8A is indeed a great target, but I genuinely think people focus too much today on hard projecting and can *somewhat* hack their way through it by studying one route for weeks and weeks at the expense of not necessarily becoming overall much better climbers. It's a bit ego driven sometimes just to say "I"m an 8A climber", which could be a bit meaningless as there are so many 8As of so many styles, so many sandbagged, so many softs, just doing one on a given day doesn't say as much on your climbing level as just being able to reliably climb 7C for instance. And for me personnaly, it's so much more satisfying to be able to improve as a climber on a big variety of routes and styles.
This is absolutely not to undermine the achievement of climbing 7A, 8A, 9A: this is still something incredibly hard to do especially if you started climbing as an adult like us, I reckon. Just my personal experience and feeling toward which goal to pursue :).
Keep enjoying man, your thrill on the rock and overall positiveness is contagious.
I feel like a really applicable video to this is Exurbia's When the Next Comes. It really goes over the topic of feeling lost and like you've done everything quite well and poetically. Every time I watch it I get something new out of it
I'll check it out. I love Exurbia
Dude. I started climbing 3 months ago at 44 years old. It has been one of the single greatest journeys I have embarked on outside of learning Spanish. I too have discovered the maze of conglomerate rock. Yuo continue and will continue to inspire me, so keep going and lead the way for me to 7b! My highest on-site thus far was a 6a... I've yet to get beyond it. 7a seems like a long way away. Let's go!
You've got this 💪💪good luck!
Congrats Mike! Really impressive work, espeically in such a short time!
Loved following this journey! I'd been following your main channel for years, and as a climber with lots of similar interests, always thought it'd be ace to see you try some form of climbing. I was so excited when you did, and was thrilled that you fell in love with it like you did. Over the last couple of years it's been amazing seeing you progress and apply all those skills you've learned over the years of challenges. All the battles, mentally and physically, and the vulnerability with which you share them. To say that the collabs have just been a wishlist of all of my favourite climbing TH-camrs would also be an understatement too. (The only collab left on my wishlist would be you and Toby Segar for some climbing and parkour, even better with the full Storror team).
I'm definitely feeling inspired to take my climbing and training more seriously, and as someone who climbed their first outdoor 7a in last year, I wanna be along for the ride too! Road to 8a!
Thanks for the kind words. They mean a lot. Join me on my journey to 8a!
Congrats Mike, you really deserve it! Beat me to it, I spent loads of time working 7a this summer but it never came together. I know I'm strong enough, but I need to get the head game sorted out! And your videos are an inspiration in that, always have been. Can't wait to see where your next adventure takes you!
Lets go! Road to 8a cant wait. Itll be a long journey but i know you can do it Mike, we all believe in you. Congrats on the send and i cant wait to see where you go from here
Can't wait!
The post achievement emptiness is super real! It's a thing I've seen and experienced with all sorts of projects in climbing and ultra cycling for example - elite athletes get it as well. A lot of Olympians were talking about it after the Olympics.
The good thing about climbing is.. there is always another route. A harder one, in different terrain, in a different style, a steeper one, a sketchy one.. it never has to end if you don't want.
Having done one 7a is good.. having done one in each style is great.. having done multiple even better.. flashing one, onsighting one.. the way to "really" calling yourself an 7a climber is kind of long..
I find satisfaction in the climbing itself. That I also improve gradually over time is nice because, so far, sending harder problems requires more and more from me, which is more interesting to me, and I continue to be amazed at what my body can do when alternately worked hard and rested.
The thing with projecting, on the send it's gotten so refined that it basically feels easy. That makes you feel like there's more in the tank every time you compete a goal.
I imagine only the best of the best Ste Mac for example says they did everything perfectly but still were red lining.
Get some on sight goals. It's less commitment and more commitment simultaneously. When it all comes together on those rare on sights, when you feel like you climbed well, read well and are completely wasted having left it all on the wall.
It's not better or worse than a big project goal, it just hits very very different.
I listen to the blindboy podcast. Among the many things he does one of his favourite things is writing short stories. He says that his favourite part of the process is finding flow in his writing/storytelling. And that he often feels the same flatness when the story is finished/published. So he learned to base his happiness and enjoyment on finding that flow. And that the end of the story isnt the full stop on the process. Its the comma intersecting the times inbetween.
Love it, I've enjoyed watching your progress with enthusiasm, trepidation and dare I say it with a bit of envy it is a mark of the climber you have become to see the legend that is Tom Randall so enthused about your trad ascent. You should be very proud of yourself for what you have achieved and inspiring very average climbers like myself to get their fingers out their proverbial and take a leaf out of your book. Well done mate, I look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve next.
I'm glad you've got some inspiration for the content! thanks for watching
I'm really proud of you and so glad you've taken all of us on this journey with you. From one beginner climber to another, we did it lad!!
Edit: for the blues, I think you don't need a goal or project right now, just dreams. Musings of what you'd ideally want to start tackling one day.
I really resonated with this feeling, I've recently taken a break from climbing and, while on holiday made a single trip to a bouldering area and climbed the higest grade of my life by 4 V grades. In the preceding months I had been training a lot for comps and was in great shape without realising it as I dont have convient access to outdoor climbing (bar trad). Sending this boulder which didn't feel so difficult left me feeling kind of hollow and unsatisfied, my multi year goals were accomplished in an afternoon and didn't feel challenging.
It's been a month or two since the send and I feel much better, I've been stronger than ever during my gym sessions and I thoroughly enjoy them. I suppose that I dont climb to achieve these goals, they are good motivatiors and tools to push me, I climb because it's fun and to challenge myself.
When I achieve my next goal, I'll just set it higher again.
Awesome, Mike! Climbing is such a personal journey-everyone has their own strengths and, of course, weaknesses. It’s all about what you make of it, and it sounds like you’re really enjoying it!
Absolutely loving it!
Congratulations on your first 7a! Looks like a really cool route. I climbed my first 7a at age 67 a couple of weeks ago and your post-send feelings certainly resonate with me. I do not consider myself a 7a climber - I haven’t even onsighted a 6b+ (this is one of my next goals😂). Now it is time for consolidation, climbing more routes around 6c, give or take, adding another 7a and only then trying to up the grade. Becoming a better climber is the perennial goal.
I noticed that you take the time to read and answer to virtually every single comment; Thank you for sharing your journey and contributing to the beautiful sense of community that is present in climbing.
Beautifully said. And yeah, a big drop and feeling lost after completing a big goal is SUCH a familiar feeling to me - it's taken me years but I've actually started to get it into my head that that's part of the rhythm of things, and that actually having some time where I don't have a goal is kind of good for me for a little while.
Came back to this video to rewatch the end - I just finally sent my first 6C the other day, and getting that anticlimactic feeling a BUNCH. By the time I actually sent it, it was so dialled it felt kind of easy - it was on autobelay, so I didn't even have a buddy in the room to celebrate with. Reminding myself it's a familiar pattern!
Thank you so much for sharing this - especially including the aftermath.
I am bouldering for 14 years and still chasing that magical FB 7A. It is a completely arbitrary goal as a 11 years younger climber told me I should be able to reach it.
Came pretty close (6C+). Sent 7A+ only to be "informed" a week later that it propably is only 6C (and - honestly - it felt like 6C). But after that send I also had a little of that "and now what" moment. Didn't want to project hard, didn't know what to focus on. But then - well climbing is just so much fun, I just cannot not climb. And I love to have goals. It will go on forever. After finger injury trying to reach that grade again, but in a much more relaxed way tbh. If I make it or not doesn't really matter as I will still be the same person who has had so much fun climbing.
It's actually about the journey, and it's actually so enjoyable. That's where all the successes are, and they are actually available every day - in case we don't overlook them ;-)
The layers in that rock are so different and defined it makes it look manmade in places - like a patched side of an old flint building.
it's so weird to climb too!
Congrats Mike!! I think everyone knows the feelings you articulated here after achieving a long term goal. It can be difficult to transition after your entire focus was clipping the chains of a certain route or grade; the moment of clipping the chains is amazing, but it's only a moment.
If you don't feel like taking on a new project of a higher grade (or same/lower grade in a style you're less comfortable with), I think trying to up your consistent onsight grade is a great way to become a better outdoor climber; onsighting 7a is a few steps before sending 8a I think.
A couple of people have mentioned on-sighting. This is something I particularly suck at. I'm still at 6b or so.
Awesome send, Mike! Love watching your journey. I think I've said it before, but you're such a great storyteller.
Although my climbing goals are more modest and a bit less defined than yours (I'm also a fair bit older than you are, I'm only just over a year into it, and I have a few life challenges which get in the way), I've come to the realisation that always having more to learn/try/do is actually one of the reasons WHY I love climbing so much (besides it being loads of fun, great for body and mind, great socially etc). I'm a novelty seeker, and I feel like there's always going to be more to discover.
great stuff, Anna. Always chase novelty! Enjoy your journey.
Congratulations, Mike! Cannot wait to get where you are at now! Amazing progress! So proud of your success and determination! Post-send blues... Post send depression? Somebody interpeted depression and the state of being depressed as a call of your body of needing "deep rest". It happens often when you put too much effort into something and then you feel sudden emptiness. Give yourself some time. The joy will return. I have experienced it many times after examination session at university. All that studying is so hard of your brain than after you pass you don't feel anything, just some kind of emptiness. A lot if creative professionals go through it. It is called emotional burn out.
you're definietly progressing faster than alot of people! be proud!
but also, don't burn out in your love for climbing!
I get what you're saying! I've still got plenty in the tank!
As a new climber this video gave me chills watching it. So amazing watching that send you are a huge inspiration thanks!
your climbing videos have been inspiring and poetic, glad you've achieved your goal and even happier to see your new one!
The nice thing about your channel is that I can relate in so many points. I started to climb (more active) 2 years ago and did my first 6b outdoor and 6c+ indoors view days ago. To me, climbing higher grades just gives you more options when you´re at the craig, I hate beeing there and not able at least to try a lot of the nice looking routes...
Your reaction to your send was understandable. When I send my projects I have this feeling of calmness and lack of either happiness and sadness but rather fullness. Other than that I don't have the post send sadness because the big part of sending a project is the route itself, the way the holds are shaped, the way it looks, its height, even its colour, the weather (for me the best feelings happen when it's windy) The grade is important obviously - I would never say like some do that grades don't matter - but the WHOLE route matters the most. And that's why you can send two routes that are at your limit 7a but one is just not inspiring for you and the other is. Find a route that you find beautiful!
I've got one right now that is ugly as hell but beautiful to me!
First of all, congrats on the completion of your goals!
That feeling of depression and emptiness is a universal feeling that I think everyone who has set a seemingly insurmountable goal for themselves (be it physical, financial, or whatever) feels upon completion. Talk to Olympians that have won gold and you'll realize that they also catch a case of depression in the months following.
I think that the issue stems from putting too much weight in the outside validation of your accomplishments and not enough in the enjoyment of the process. You can't tell yourself that you'll be a "real" climber when you climb x, or that you'll finally be enough once you win the Olympics, Nationals, or Regionals. All these goals should only exist to provide you a direction in which to aim, not a finish line.
Take pride in the fact that you are able to push yourself daily to be a better version of yourself whether it be in the field of rock climbing, or learning how to toss an umbrella in a fun way.
Awesome stuff Mike.
I set goals, but I don't measure myself against them or look to them for motivation. Goals are ideas I can work towards to focus on specific improvements. If my goal is to climb a 7b, what prevents me from doing it? What can I work on? How will reaching it enable me to fill my life with more moments worth celebrating?
Long term motivation for me involves reflecting on a book full of wonderful small moments. Flashing a route, having a fun day with a friend, just doing a cool memorable move. Kinda like your videos videos here, but on a smaller, more frequent, more intimate basis.
I want to keep those moments coming. I know if I climb, I'll find satisfaction somewhere in my session. And thus it's motivating for me to continue climbing.
Satisfaction is entirely self created, and I try to create it in abundance.
Man good for you, that's actually so sick. So good to see you loving the experience so much
Well done Mike on the 7a!!!! It's lovely to see how supportive your wife is, y'all are great!!
She's a keeper! Thanks for watching.
So much to say about this episode but above all, well flippin done, your progress is so inspiring!
I didn't even want to suggest it but that little title at the end... You can 100% achieve that and I hope it takes you years and years and you film it all!
Fingers crossed 🤞
Huge congrats!!
Your original video was the thing that (eventually) led me to start bouldering a couple of weeks ago, and it's one of the best things I've ever started doing. I've still got an incredibly long way to go (roughly at 6A+), but it's been so, so much fun.
I will say though that I've had that same post-send blues feeling that you were describing. On Monday I somehow did a massive 6B+ underclingy dyno when I gave it a couple of goes as a laugh, even though it was *well* above my grade. I tried the big dyno last move a few times and realised I could actually probably do it, so started giving it some proper attempts and somehow managed it. I was absolutely extatic when I grabbed that top hold, but in the week since I've been feeling a bit flat. When I started my goal was to do a yellow tag at the gym I was going on, and suddenly that's done. I've been so focused on working my way up the grades and feeling that progression that now I feel like I've not got any targets to break, and I know because it was an outlier that it will be a *long* time before I can start to attempt a 6C and numerically "progress".
What you said at the end is fundamentally right though - "The only satisfaction to be had is in knowing, really knowing, that you'll never be satisfied". I'll always want to get better, I'll always want to climb harder problems, I'll always want to try new things and learn new things. It doesn't matter what number was on that dyno because there will always be harder problems and there will always be more things to climb.
It's crazy how similar our experiences were! I think grade chasing is good for short periods of time but the majority of my time is just spent trying stuff that's "hard". The grades will come
@@MikeBoydClimbs That really is the best mindset, and absolutely true!
I'm trying to reprogram myself to see grades how they were meant as a shorthand for expected difficulty, rather than a marker of ability. A climb is ultimately as hard as it is for you, and nothing more. The climb I found personally the hardest was only a 5+, and I know what I need to do is be pleased that I sent a climb I struggled with rather than be disappointed I had trouble with something "easy".
Saying that and feeling that are two different things though lol, and it's hard to reprogram your brain from the dopamine hit of the number going up.
(As an aside I'd love to see you have a go on the speed wall!)
I've been bouldering nearly 5 years and I'm still plateaued at 6c+ so this is majorly impressive to me! Well done!
wtf why am I crying.
Great video. I've been loving everything you've put on this channel, keep up the great work.
I am curently climbing for my first 7a redpoint too. I started climbing for like 6-7 months and best I could do was a 6a+ redpoint and a 6b dogged on sandstone. I must say, I totally felt everything you said, like I was saying it myself. I am not scared of the post send depression because, I am curently enjoying my process. Yes, it is frustrating at times, at times I feel like I am a god who can climb literally on paint on the wall, other times I fear I have forgotten everything and I cannot climb a 5a. I am deeply terrified of falls and many times I dont even try to go above a sketchy bolt, because I dont trust myself not to fall before I get to clip myself, but one thing I know for sure. One day, in a year, 2 or maybe 5, I will send a 7a redpoint. Until then, I enjoy every second on the crags, even when it suddenly rains and all I got to do was carry my equipment for 50 minutes only to get to see the rock.
The ending got me teary eyed, ngl. That 7a correction to an 8a was pure perfection. Thank you for the inspiration. Looking forward for that 8a one.
I've really enjoyed this episode, keep up the good work, you are an ispiration for many!
Hi mike spoke to you in ratho a few weeks back. Massive Well done for getting that 7a outdoors. What a great achievement. 🙌 loving the climbing videos and I really can relate to the struggles. Keep them coming
love how you cummunicated this feeling at the end!
Lets go for that 8a
Hahahahah he finally gets it.
Last week I sent my first 7b+ after 8 years climbing and I felt the exact same way but this was not the first time. Welcome to the club mike your stuck like this for life :D
Also awesome job Im impressed how fast you got here
thanks for the welcome💪
Don‘t focus too much on goals. Enjoy the way to them, have fun while working towards them but don‘t let them be the main thing. Main thing should be the fun from moving and then you can still work towards something but the focus is on the way and not on the goal, which is much healthier.
Anyways great video, great progress, have fun and keep sending 💪🏻
I think I'm gonna chill on the grades for now. And focus more on climbing harder, even if it isn't reflected in the grades.
@@MikeBoydClimbs Never focus on grades. They are good indication for where you‘re at but in the end what matters most is fun imo.
cant wait for 8a, keep grinding mike, you got this!
What a journey! Love the openness bout the feelings after that send. I have related a lot in various acomplishments where you always go, what now? and the journey restarts.
final speech had me grinning ear to ear. (doesnt apply to me of course, when I send 7a it will complete my life and cure all my ailments)
😆
Congratulations on the 7a (or 23 as we would say here in NZ).
I really appreciate the openness of how you felt after sending your project, not often we get to see that. I fully get the post send blues and find that I gravitate towards flashing and because the blues don't hit as hard when it didn't take as much effort. Takes real determination to project something, both on your part and those supporting you.
I am currently working on my 7b and I am sorry to say it does not get any easier from 7a.
Keep up the good work
I'm glad you relate to the "post send blues" section. Good luck with the proj.
We must imagine Sisyphus happy. The emptiness is an interesting phenomenon on achieving some goal that you attributed meaning to. Attempting it which gave you meaning but it was ultimately absurd and therefore inherently meaningless. Very recognizable.
That last thing about never being satisfied is a good thing to learn, because at some point (either life will get in the way, or an injury will) you can take a monumental leap backwards. That's been the hardest thing for me. I was climbing hard, and was the strongest I'd been, and having the most fun. Then I got an injury that took me out for the best part of 6 months and the stoke never really recovered. I couldn't get excited over projecting stuff I could flash before my injury.. Still not out of the rut really, and it's been 2 years.
Damn. What was the injury? 🤕
@@MikeBoydClimbs Torn hamstring (at the arse end, to make things more complicated) doing a heel hook. To make it worse, a week before a climbing holiday to Greece ha
first 7a is magical - its a gate to another level of climbing ;-)
Oh man, I've been in these shoes. I've spent about a year preparing for a tough long trail run. Eventualy I've done in although nat as fast and nice as I planned but I've made to a finish through stunning 3000 meters of elevation and 6 hours of struggle. And then there was an emptiness. I felt lost. I didn't enjoy running anymore. Actually I starter climbing just to entertain myself a little. then, after a few months I got back to normal in some way, planning my next trail and training to level up to 6b bouldering.
I'm sure you'll proud of yourself and will remember this 7a for a long time. And good luck in your next adventure
Such a great and moving journey! I can totally understand that feeling of „now what“ after you finally achieved it. Had the exact same melancholy after sending my first outdoor 7A few weeks ago and was shortly a bit lost. Tried to not fall into the grade chasing mindest but somehow the thought of „but what if I might be capable of more?“ set in and I slowly started to build new goals and work on it. For now building a strong base with sending more 7As seems like the next step before venturing towards higher grades someday 😅
absolutely agree! Thanks for watching
Though im glad you put a (relatively) happy conclusion to this video, i gotta say you made a truly beautiful piece of life/art/storytelling even without it.
Thank you.
thanks a lot for the kind words. I really worked on the script for this.
our capabilities are almost always higher than we expect. Remember this the next time something feels "impossible" the first or second time you try it. I promise to whoever is reading this that you can climb much harder than you think, you just need to give it some time.
Exactly, its all just Sisyphus going up the hill over and over and over again and trying to find some happiness in it. Only one difference we can actually get some boulders to the end but you get the idea 😅
Love to see these outdoor projecting videos!! No matter the grade, its good times 😁
cheers!
I'm just a bouldering guy hoping to touch grass some day and I love watching the progress you make indoors and outdoors
Decided to try climbing after watching your videos and am addicted now.
Just bought a frictitious hang board and am planning some travel to try outdoor climbing for the first time!
Really appreciate your videos
thanks for following along. Enjoy your journey!
Well done 👊 My post-send blues after achieving a grade or a route that takes me a long time usually leaves me feeling "free" rather, because at that point I feel free to not focus on anything in particular for a while 😅
12 year climber here, iv trained and climbed 2-4 days per week since starting and I'll say this, once you reach 7a that won't be it, that'll be just the beginning lol. You'll then make a goal or 20 7as. Then 7a+ and so on
Big congratz! Definitely super fast to climb 7a in two years when you're not a genetic freak. I did my first 7a earlier this year on a trip totally unexpected. Last day, last go. Can totally relate to the melancholy - still feeling it now 8 months later, tho I try to relish and enjoy it. Only got me more psyched for climbing :-) Ty for great content - best of luck!!
Well done. Epic to get something last day too.
Congrats! And so cool that you discovered a new hobby that you are passionate about in life, through the trying and learning new skills!
thanks a lot!
As many others have said, I think your approach is top notch and I've really enjoyed this journey. But I think its an interesting look at the pitfalls of goal-orientated thinking. For me, if my goal was a 7a; doing just one wouldn't be enough; I'd really want to consolidate that grade with multiple, different 7as before I feel like I'd 'completed' it. Then, as you've done...I'd just adjust the goal. When it comes to sport and exercise though, I actually find that goals don't do you any favours. I climb and mountain bike for the enjoyment of doing it; if I put myself under pressure to achieve a goal, it can really sap the joy out of it.
Eyyy congrats man, big achievement, waited so long for this video, great story
Thanks so much 🙏
I have a lifetime goal of climbing a SINGLE V11 outdoors and while i am a few months away from climbing for 2 years and getting old (36 here soon😅) i am always hopeful i'll see myself sneding it even if I am in my 40s when i get there.
looking good on the wall, dedication pays off
Loved this. Fair play to you man. Excellent content.
I quickly realised that the most enjoyable part of a project is the process. Enjoy the process always. The project should be ten 7a's...grade consolidation is key to progression.
absolutely. I'm working on another right now and it feels way harder!
@@MikeBoydClimbs Until it doesn't :)
Congrats Mike!! Huge accomplishment, although I know all too well that it often feels like just another day. In my opinion, that's usually my body's way of telling me that "We can push a little harder, this is far from the end". Looking forward to some winter training videos on a Kilter Board; Be sure to try my climbs!
I'll look them up if I can find a kilter board!