The cucumber has somehow gotten a pretty nice reputation for being chill. It’s undeserved in my opinion. I was recently wondering if this prestige was simply born of the alliteration “cool cucumber” when a friend pointed out that, by my logic, it could just as easily be cauliflower that is cool. This actually has a nice ring to it, so I’m using it from now on.
Staying cool as cauliflower is one of the toughest things about climbing. If I’ve taken a long break from climbing routes outside, I can feel nervous and a bit out of control on the wall for weeks. I’m not alone — I’ve seen the tremor hand or Elvis leg in just about everyone I’ve ever climbed with.
My wife Natalie (@natalieclimbs) looking cool on her warm up (Euro Trash Girl 10b)
When you’re worried about falling, the tunnel vision and pump from over-gripping help you achieve the self-fulfilling prophecy.
It’s really hard to manage stress on the wall. You might be able to reduce these failure-inducing feelings with breathing, focusing hard on only the next move, or compartmentalizing the fear. But really, there’s no magic trick.
Corey Carver doing his best cauliflower impression on his warm-up, Werewolves of London (10d) Photo: Natalie Jaime
So what’s to be done? In my opinion, there’s no substitute for desensitization. Climb outside often. More importantly, get out of your comfort zone and start a project. Find a route with safe falls that will probably take you 10 attempts to send, and force yourself to do it. You’ll eventually get comfortable falling on it, and this comfort will translate to other climbs. You might also send in 4 tries and realize that you’re stronger than you think. I’ve honestly made more mental climbing improvements in just a few projects than in all of the 11s and low 12s I’ve ever done.
Hiking back from the Lake Point crag in Ten Sleep Canyon
Of course, I’m no pro… but maybe that’s why you should listen. I still know what it is to fight hard for a 5.10, feel embarrassed by my nerves, and feel weaker than the climbers around me.
Having said that, I’m going to take my own advice tomorrow in Ten Sleep Canyon and start a new project. I may never be a cucumber, but I’m fighting hard to at least be as cool as cauliflower.