Author: geckojudo

When I used to set routes, I liked to set what I would call a a reverse start. It could be standing or sitting, but you had to face backwards from the direction of the rest of the problem. For example, if the problem runs up and to the right, your legs would be kicked … Continue reading The reverse start

I've climbed enough this week to have a few blisters where my calluses should be and where they were when I was climbing regularly. Yippeee! Calluses are a good sign. Truly. They are an indication to me that I am working hard enough, but not overdoing it (because they aren't burst and weeping all over). … Continue reading Blisters! Yippeee!

Today, I had the beginnings of vertical creep up on me. I attempted a few vertical bouldering problems and got little traction on them, but the desire is there. I traversed several times as usual to warm up and practice my technique. I have to say I’m a bit disappointed in my efforts at the … Continue reading The beginnings of vertical

I’m not sure what’s going on with me, but I’m perfectly happy traversing. I need to get vertical again, though. Part of it is that I’ve gained weight since last year and haven’t taken a good fall since then. I know the remedy for that is to take some practice falls, but I don’t want … Continue reading Gotta get vertical again

I’m more into traversing right now than vertical problems. I’m trying to make sure that my technique is rock solid, pun intended. I’m still climbing in my Katanas on the upper wall of the climbing gym and getting more efficient at choosing holds, which meant that today I had to use more difficult holds and … Continue reading Traverse right, traverse left…

It’s the latest thing...and I finally got my “one per household” order from Friction Labs! The black, redesigned chalk ball, still refillable, but different. I can’t even describe this thing adequately to you with words. I can’t even get a good photo of it to show you, but it’s supposed to keep the germs down, … Continue reading Friction Labs prototype chalk ball

Continue reading about Esk's adventures on Earth here! https://coffeehousewriters.com/hollow-moon-part-2/

Today is Sunday. Yesterday was intense for me. I hiked over 11,000 steps yesterday, which is over twice what I walk on a good day. Today? Ouch. I hurt all over, even in places I didn’t know I had! Am I glad I did it, though? You bet! Now I’m at the climbing gym. I … Continue reading Sunday slack

Today is a very special day for me. Today is the fifth anniversary of my first climb ever. It all started in my doctor’s office when Mark Nicholson said, “We need to get you down to SteepWorld.” I, of course, asked what that was. “It’s an indoor climbing gym,” the Doc answered cheerfully. I told … Continue reading Five years to the day since I began climbing

I have been focusing on traversing since I began my return to climbing in the gym a few weeks ago. I’m slowly inching my way “up” again. I’m heavier than I was a year ago, and very weak comparatively speaking, so I don’t want to get injured right out of the chute, here. I’m taking … Continue reading Inching my way up again