Let me say this about that...........First of all I had a great time. I met some really cool climbers and some really nice people. I also saw a lot of big ego's and guys who talk loud and proud so everyone notices them. Luckily I didn't have any of those on my team. I didn't hang with anybody or really meet like become pals meet anybody because I'm pretty much an introvert in a social setting where I don't know anybody. I did a lot of watching of both climbers and people. I stopped counting beards like an hour into it. LOL
It was well thought out and a lot of fun. Challenging to say the least. I have only been to one similar event in the fire department for tech rescue teams. Same concept. Performance and team based with real life scenarios. It was pretty cool.
How did I do? Well if you look at the score sheet I sucked. I have a team score not an individual score. Luck of the draw really as one person cant carry the other 3. Not that I am good enough to carry 3 anyway. I would say I am surprised at how physically exhausted I still am after a grand total of 3 hours climbing. I suppose because in a normal scenario I am not going cold into a tree at break neck speed and trying to push my self repeatedly to move to places I would usually get to by other methods. In short it kicked my ass. I did it though. Even was on a team where I was totally spent from just climbing and a kid who was too tired to climb opted to be the groundie and I got a tough climb. Another guy on the team was pretty pissed that a dude almost 50 could still push on where a 21 year old opted out of the hard work. Made me feel good about myself.
This is the conclusion I came to after climbing and watching. I can hold my own in a tree. I am not a comp climber and never will be. I can get it done, not as fast but I can do it. My technique is sound and my use of equipment is effective. I'm quite proud of myself considering I could have fathered more than half the climbers there.
I'm a production guy. My gear and set up is production based. I see where the comp guys have stuff set up that saves them time in a comp. Wouldn't necessarily be as effective on a job site but I think there is a subset of this community who lives breathes and eats climbing. I think there are those who travel from comp to comp and take their girlfriends on rec climbs every weekend after putting in 40hrs on the job. My life isn't designed that way nor is my tired body. I met some older dudes and I feel like I held up compared to them pretty darn well. I feel like I could out climb some younger ones too. You have to remember, like anything, there a those that are truly talented and gifted, and there are those of us who have to work at it. I got to watch Johnny pro climb. He is a unicorn. Guys that move like him in the tree don't exist in my world.
I met him, chatted with Mark C, met Pfanner man, Jarrod A and some other folks. Last time I actually met Mark neither of us had any grey hair! There were a few others I wanted to shake their hand but didn't because of the line of people trying to climb up their asses all at the same time. Not my style. Met YOYO, and Roger Barnett (shared a room with him). I enjoyed the normal every day folk like me a lot. I managed to make it to a couple treestuff after parties and see some shenanigans and finally got to meet Luke and Carson, Bonner and Matt. People who I have had a significant interaction with over the years via the internet.
I would say all in all I had a great time. Would have liked to have gone with a friend but then , well you know. If you asked me today if I would do it again I'd say I'm too old for that shit. Ask me in a month when my hip stops aching, I probably would.
How did I do? Who gives a shit. I am quite proud of myself and felt like a met a personal goal as to not be the weak link on the team. Maybe I was but I don't see it. Who cares. I did it. I went alone and took a chance. I just don't do stuff like that. I'm like a strange introvert. I don't like doing social things alone but kinda don't like people. HAHAHA. Kinda kooky I know.
Anyway, thanks for asking. So the short answer. I had fun and did well. As to how well, depends on who you ask. If they tell you I sucked, please don't tell me LOL I doubt you'd hear that anyway. Peace
