A tough day at Vernayaz

After months and months of training for bouldering, I was beginning to feel a bit worn down physically. The mental pressure to perform was also building a bit. When Sara and I decided to take a day trip down to Vernayaz, I had it in my head that I was going to climb really well - and focus on technique, clean movement, etc. Unfortunately, just like in mathematics, the subject matter always has the upper hand. I felt a bit off already while warming up, and nothing really went right after that. I failed to send a 6B warm-up problem and started to feel a bit negative. Sara did her best to drag me out of it by sending her 7B project on the second go that day - a really nice roof line. We then worked on Les Yeux Rouge, a 7C I started working with the Cruxers in November. I was able to do all the moves on that first day, and so I thought it might go with a bit of luck. Unfortunately one of the easier seeming moves (a hand match to a big jug) just kept giving me problems. Sara solved the issue by introducing a dropknee, but it was too late - I was cooked. On the way home I was able to reflect a bit and regain some perspective. I'm not (and never will be) a world-class climber, and maybe I'm not even really strong enough to teach others about climbing. But that's ok!

Les Yeux Rouge
Trashpads
Sara on the Les Yeux Rouge