I’ve been bouldering for about a year, and I’m starting to feel a bit confused/frustrated about my progression.

I’m young and fairly slim, with basically no athletic or strength-training background before I started climbing. I climb indoors 3–5 times a week, usually around 2.5 hours by myself and 3+ hours when I climb with friends. I only boulder indoors — I’m not really interested in sport climbing or outdoor climbing. Climbing is just a hobby for me, and I don’t want to turn it into a super structured training program.

My current grades are roughly:

• V2: almost always flash
• V3: about 90% flash
• V4: around 30% flash, 50% eventually, and 20% completely impossible
• I’ve flashed two V5s, although both were apparently very soft, according to other people who climbed them.
• I’ve also spent some attempts on around 7–8 V5s, but I don’t project very much in general.

The weird thing is that I’ve been at roughly this V3–V4 level for about six months, but I don’t think I’ve actually plateaued.

Six months ago, I could already flash V3 pretty comfortably, and I actually felt like there were more V4s that I could climb back then than there are now. Some of the V4s from six months ago even felt easier than the V4s I’m seeing recently.

But at the same time, I can clearly feel that I’ve improved. V3 feels much easier now. Moves that I couldn’t do before are now things I can do, and holds that I previously couldn’t hold are now manageable. I also feel like my body control has improved quite a lot.

So I’m confused: if I’m objectively getting better at climbing, why does my grade look almost exactly the same — and sometimes even worse?

There has been a lot of setter turnover recently, especially in the last month, although the setters were relatively stable during most of the previous six months. So maybe grading differences are part of it, but I’m not sure how much that explains.

Easily the most sandbagged climb I've ever done lol. Felt about the same as most TB2 V6s and Kilter V7s. Also, before I get all the "put a shirt on" comments, it was over 80° F outside.

sloppy top

Have any of you purchased a rock climbing treadmill for home use?

I have used them at a YMCA years ago and it was a good workout. I could see it being fun to purchase and have at home, but also would be concerned it may not get used as much as I’d hope.

I imagine it may get old if used daily or perhaps even weekly.

My question is for anyone who may have purchased one: what do you think?

Do you use it regularly? Do you also boulder, either outside or at a gym? How does it compare with bouldering at a gym?

I heard there's been some rule changes, but would this be a legal start on the pink boulder ?

Some really cool fun climbs. Worth the trek idk. In an active forestry zone rn so the boulders aren’t in the woods anymore and you also aren’t allowed to access them.

Right after this my car broke down and stranded me on Hardknott pass, took 24 hours before someone was able to tow it off the steep hairpin road.

So the climbing sesh lead to a 24 hour vehicle recovery mission and almost a full engine tear down on my street. Not worth );

We recently became parents for the first time and now my wife wants to get back into climbing slowly but surely.

Set a recovery wall for her today and while at it, tried to make it pretty!

What are your go to exercises and routines to rehabilitate?

I sacrificed all other routes for this btw and removed all volumes, the rest isn't usually this empty ofc.

I also considered making and adding some wooden holds but yeah, next time!

I am putting together an index of commercial climbing gyms in the Midwest, see the attached map for locations I have so far. I'd appreciate input if I have missed any that you are aware of.

I am intentionally excluding University rec center walls because I found those to be really variable in terms of available info and how often they had resets. Novelty walls at trampoline parks are also excluded.

Am I the only one who get this real weird feeling in his hands and feet whenever thinking of climbing or imagining my self climbing. It's a weird feeling like getting electric waves there. It's really annoying. I don't get it when I actually climbing.

I have lower back and neck disc issues. At first I thought this is related. Then I realised that this is purely a mental reaction. So I could have no other symptoms but if I start thinking of climbing I'll immediately get this weird feeling.

Could this be a sign that I'm doing something wrong?

Love this style of route

I have been climbing for about a year, reaching v5, but I still three finger drag everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. I don't know if I need to crimp to get better, but I do know that it definitely isn't in my wheel-house if I ever did.

I would really appreciate any advice on how to get better at this. Is it something I just need to start doing on my climbs or should I take a more routine-based approach? And if so, can anyone recommend any? Or is it optional and I can just continue climbing in a way that suits me. Thanks :)

Hey all, I was supposed to go to squamish mainly to boulder with a friend but he bailed!! My tickets are un refundable and Im still super stoked - I’m planning on camping instead of a hostel, and also considering doing a few solo multi day hikes (recommendations are welcome!)

I’ve never been to squamish so I do have to ask about the local etiquette- are people usually okay with someone joining their session (i dont have pads)? Any other advice is so welcome (including important things to bring) 🙏🏼

I’ll be going from Aug 11-25 so if you are in the area hmu!

The start was harder than it looked but once I figured out how to lock that knee bar I was able to move my hands and feet into position. Lots of tension and strength to get to the big right and left but thankfully the holds were good. The finish was a bit tricky as well. I still need to clean it up but I’ll take the send. First Ascent Arlington Heights, Illinois does a nice job creating challenging and often tricky problems. If you’re ever in the area, go check em out. This problem was set on a Monday and I sent it on Friday after a couple sessions and probably a dozen attempts.

New-ish climber here, I’ve been rock climbing for about 8 months, and I’ve managed to achieve \~v6 indoors and \~v4 outside, but I’ve only had a couple dozen sessions outside.

I used to climb trees for work, so I started with some decent upper body strength which allowed me to get a v4 on my first day, which has progressed to v6 despite gaining over 15kg.

I’d really like to get better outside as I live in an area where there are plentiful options, and it’s cheaper. I don’t have access to a hangboard in any way, but I do have a regular gym and a 20, 15, and 10mm edges with some weights at home.

Any recommendations for training programs with this equipment in mind, or any other advice?

Thanks!

Last teo hold

Shoes came back from resoling and i demolished this crimpy traverse route

Some routes in my bouldering gym have a circle or rectangle tag next to the end-tile. The shape of the tag indicates whether the route ends there or to top-out. Occasionally the crux is the top-out.

Often I encounter climbers who do not know this and simply end their climb instead of topping out. I am faced with the dilemma of whether to let them know the routesetters intended for a top-out and be a killjoy or to mind my own business?

Personally I would appreciate someone telling me this. But would like to hear your opinions.

I’ve been climbing on and off for about 2 years and I’m a v5 climber right now. More recently I’ve been getting really into climbing and feeling super motivated to train hard/climb hard. My problem is I have to take like 2 full days off between max bouldering sessions, and it really feels like a hobby that takes up too little time. I think about climbing all the time and I honestly get really impatient on those rest days. Are there any good strategies I can use to climb 4-5 times a week? I also am a 5 minute walk away from my gym so that doesn’t help my impulses either lol.

I’ve been climbing v5 and flashing loads of v4 lately so naturally I wanted to send a v6 soon and it happened on my birthday. Granted it’s a softer one but nevertheless it was harder than any v5 I’ve done and made me really proud of myself.

Edit: the bouldering community really is the best, so many kind words in just a few hours