Welcome To The House of Payne

I will always enjoy personal progression in the sport of climbing. For me, one way to help refine my technique is to quantify the different aspects climbing. Yes, that means grades, stars, and lots of other arguable, yet meaningless, jarble. But don’t worry, this post is going to be a lot more qualitative, that way my opinion can just be right:

I will present here some of what i’ve been learning about the approach to climbing that is necessary for succeeding on the unique boulders of Fontainebleau. 

We already live such an exciting and thorough existence simply because our brains associate patterns so darn well. So, in honor of patterns, I’ve split my explination into four categories: Persistence, Precision, Power, and Patience. (They all start with a P. That’s the pattern.)

Persistence:

As with all climbing, and life in general, persistence is often the remedy to failed effort. So many good climbers impress me with their determination. And, when they succeed, they usually do so through positive and confident persistence. Font success is rooted in this same resolution.

Power of positive persistence

Precision:

If beta is something you are keen at gleaning, Font might be the area for you. Because, regardless of the grade, a Font problem will challenge the climber with subtle movement, positioning, and awareness that all require precision in execution for success.

Attention to detail

Power:

Despite all the flub about how the forest is magical, which it most certainly is, if you want to get to the top of something, you still need to show it who is boss! Take my previous and subsequent recommendations into careful consideration and then give it all you’ve got.

Putting it to the test

Patience: 

Whether you keep falling on the first move, or can’t understand the top out, my suggestion is to step back and give the problem a chance to solve itself. Enjoy the process, and all the things that make bouldering wonderful (even the rain), and you will find yourself on top before you know it. 

Patience in the process

Ok, I can’t think of any other good ‘P’ lessons right now. Also,  I really should stop watching this sloppy international basketball in German and go to bed.

Take it for what it is, because in reality, there is no formula in Fontainebleau, just a bunch of monkeys and hoops for them to jump through.

Note: lots and lots of really shiny impressive hoops!