Say Goodbye to Summer
by Lee Soares

Here in New England, we have little choice but to live by the seasons. Fall approaches and our motivation climbs as the temperature creep back down to the point where we can push rock climbing to its limits. Summertime has its advantages, cook drinks, warm beaches and the one song by Will Smith we can all tolerate! You know the one.

Unfortunately, none of these things help us pull any harder. Weeks of rain, high humidity, and plenty of those little flies that go for your eyes, in fact hamper our efforts to keep up our strength. Cross training may come in to play, but who wants to run or bike when you can climb? Not me!

It seemed each time I went out for a session something would keep me from climbing my hardest. To me, difficult climbing is the essence of bouldering. Rock climbing can be fun in the summer, but our limits are reached much quicker, whether through a lack of friction or skin that gets too soft, too soon. Something always seemed to put a premature end to the bouldering. Something other than a lack of power.

A few weeks back, still in the grips of summer, I got a small taste of the coming season. As my girlfriend and I sat on the beach, a cool breeze and dry air began to stir the thoughts of all my projects left undone.

The walls and sea cliffs that surrounded us soon became more than a barrier for privacy. Instead of staring out at the waves, I began to stare at these walls. Worn out from eons of pounding surf, the first ten feet of the walls was bullet proof. The starting holds were just beautiful! Open handed, good friction, the whole nine yards. The footholds on the other hand? Wet and covered with a thin layer of green seaweed. Certainly not ideal. Who needs them anyways, besides I'd look silly with sticky rubber shoes on the beach!

Dry hands were a must, so I hustled back to the car for my chalkbag. My hands were chalked up before I even made it back to the walls. One problem led to another as I began to envision more possibilities in the rock. I began to really want these lines and soon found myself actually "bouldering."

I began working in earnest to solve my current beachfront project. Knowing I may have to wait another nine months to solve this problem, I refused to walk away. Maybe it was the relaxed feeling brought on by the calming surf. Maybe it was the fact that no other barriers stood between me and this problem. I'm not sure but the problem fell on the very next try. Goddamn bouldering is sweet.

I manage to get in a few more problems as the sun creeps toward the horizon and that familiar "pump" begins to set in. My girlfriend and I pack up our blanket and towels and head back to the car. The ride home is virtually silent. Bobbie is asleep in the passenger seat and the radio is off leaving me alone with my recent adventures and thoughts of things to come.

Of course the next day it rained and summer reared its ugly head. Now here, as October takes over, bouldering season is upon us. The days of pulling hard will be more frequent and the excuse box will hopefully stay locked for a few more months.

Another season has passed. Another one begins. Shorts and swimming will give way to goose down and hot drinks. Last year's projects will become this year's boulder problems. I'm looking forward to long bouldering sessions and sharing beta with like-minded friends. Our community is growing as each day more and more people proscribe to our way of life. Let us all exceed our prior limits and achieve a new personal best. By keeping our minds open and our ethics strong, this season promises to bear fruit for us all! Anyone want an apple?

Disclaimer

Bouldering is dangerous. You could be seriously injured or killed. Do not attempt any of the problems described in this web page unless you have the expertise to do so. NewEnglandBouldering.com does not assume any liability for your safety or well being.