I boulder now...

There are days when you are happy and then there are days like today. A good friend of mine and I have been meeting when our schedules allow it to boulder. For those of you who don’t know, bouldering is a form of rock (or wall) climbing performed on short walls or rock formations without the use of ropes or harnesses. I have only been bouldering for two months. My use case for bouldering is to get better with my foot and leg work so that I am stronger and more intentional when I am Top Rope climbing; a form of rock (or wall) climbing that is performed on walls or rock formations with the use of ropes and harnesses. If you had asked me 16 months ago, when I started wall climbing, if I ever would have consciously decided to try bouldering I would have said, “No way! Too dangerous!” That is where my friend comes in. In the 6 months or so that I have known her she has helped me see that I have more courage and strength in me than I realize. She told me when we started that bouldering would be hard but that if I stuck with it, the lessons I learned while bouldering would pay off ten-fold when wall climbing. Today I achieved 2 milestones that I am certain will help me in my future top rope climbing sessions; I climbed both a V1 and V2 boulder route. To be more exact, I flashed them! Flashing means to successfully complete a route or boulder problem on your very first attempt without falling, while using prior knowledge or advice about the climb. Never underestimate the courage and strength that is already within you!!

Me climbing the V1.

Me climbing the V2.