bolson

blk++ for getting me out climbing for the first time in about four weeks. The first route I did was a 5.9 that had always been strengthy and fun and not too grippy and I flew right up it, almost like old times with one pause for noticing that it was harder than it used to be. I then proceeded to get half way up two routes and all the way up one after much falling by me and goading from blk. I finally finished the night by beating an easy 5.7. Go me. I think at my better moments at the start I had almost as much grip strength as I used to, but I had no endurance for it and couldn't maintain that level for a whole climb, or for a whole night of climbing. That was Thursday night. The soreness mostly skipped Friday and has set in full strength in my forearms now Saturday morning. Uf.

I've continued to go climbing with larksdream and sometimes lbmango once or twice a week, and I'm getting better. Tonight I did a new hard 5.8 half-way twice, an old hard 5.8 much quicker and easier, a couple 5.7 routes with something approaching grace and style, and at the end of the day I tried a 5.9 and got half way up and I think I could have gotten further if I'd tried it fresh.

I continue to get better and I can feel it. Every time I go there are some moments where I pull off a move with strength and form fitting together just right. Right now I'm tired and my grip is all used up. Still, I think I've been strengthening and recovering faster. I think my next planned trip may be Sunday.