Old dog, new tricks...a retrospective!

Climbing at the Freiwand yesterday - despite pouring rain the upper tier remains dry for at least three days - I couldn´t help but smile looking at "Old dog, new tricks". The route and basically the complete lower tier were soaked and I wonder, actually doubt if they will dry up this season again.

When I bolted the line last year, I was immediately amazed by two things: how much the line fit my style of climbing and how much the project soon started to mean to me. Ripping of the only jug that was to be found on the climb`s upper part came as a devastation since it meant I´d surely not be able to climb the project relatively quick. It also meant something else however: it meant that I got really motivated, decided to train harder, focus more and return next season for a second round of attempts. What I had envisioned as a pretty fun, steep route I might be able to put down in two days had changed into something hard, into something that forced me to rethink what I wanted to achieve and how much I wanted to invest.

The rest is pretty much history. On my first day this year, I found out I could link all the moves - and sent the whole thing on August 18th, on a hot and humid day that wasn´t exactly made to send a hard route - or maybe it was? It for sure was the last day I´ve seen the line completely dry and actually the only time there wasn´t a single wet hold on the climb out of five days of effort I put into the rig this and last year. Maybe conditions suggesting I didn´t have a chance were what I needed to stay relaxed and to not put too much pressure on myself. I just gave it a go - and ended up clipping the chains. I gave myself a birthday present before my actual birthday on August 26th.

I also ended up seizing the moment that had to be seized. That´s what I´m most happy about. I had one chance - and used it. Usually I´m pretty good at screwing things up when it all comes down to seizing a moment or not but this time I was lucky. I´ve been lucky a few times since. Maybe I´ve finally found out how to make the most out of what talents I have...stubbornness, psyche...and a little bit of talent and vision thrown in for good measure.

Drip on, my baby! I can finally see the rain pour and not worry. Oh well, I guess I´m a very happy man. Consider yourself privileged if those are your personal worries. But why not soak up some happiness if it comes your way...

Peace, Chris

Old dog, new tricks - Photo update!

My good friend and excellent photographer Daniel Bähring took pics of me on my baby, my recently faed former project "Old dog, new tricks".
I´d like to thank all involved parties, Johannes Loidl for the belay today, Daniel Bähring for the pics and of course Thomas Rupprecht for all the patient belays during my workout sessions and during the send itself!