Climbing is super fun, but sometimes we all need a break. Maybe you’ve been sitting at a plateau for a while and you need to see progress somewhere else. Perhaps you feel you have reached your peak in climbing and it’s time for a new venture while you enjoy your twilight climbing years (like me…at 35). It could be that your region has very distinct seasons and another sport can fill the void of endless gym training while you wait for the next one. What ever your reason, it can always be a good thing to try another activity and shed some of that stress, both physical and mental, that you have been putting on yourself by climbing all the time. I came up with some suggestions based on your particular climbing proclivities.
Bouldering —–> Powerlifting
Boulders are known for their impressive single max efforts with a whole lot of down time between attempts, chewing on Sour Patch Kids™, and trash talking their friends. You’ll fit right in. Consisting of barbell back squat, bench press, and deadlifts, it’s three, seemingly simple but shockingly complex, movements. This should be intriguing to the meticulous nature of some to dial each of them in, and the continuous micro-progression in chasing PR’s that appeals to others. There can be a bit of an upfront cost if you choose to compete which requires an approved belt, shoes, socks, and singlet, but, just like your crash pad, if you take care of them they can last a lifetime. If you would like to get on the platform, check out the two leading federations, usapowerlifting.com or uspa.net, for events and requirements near you.
Sport Climbing —–> Ninja/OCR
Highly technical movement that could be anywhere from a sprint to the chains (or bell) or an endurance suffer-fest. Rope climb? Easy-peasy. Big wall? That’s just a mantle. Monkey bars? Yes, more please! We have all seen Ninja Warrior, and even top end climbers making the switch. There are even some climbing gyms that have incorporated Ninja obstacles into their floor space with big names behind them, like friends of the blog Lisa Rands and Wills Young’s new gym in Chattanooga, in coordination with Issaac Caldiero, Synergy Climbing and Ninja. Obstacle Course Racing, or OCR, has similar obstacles but with more running but allows you get outdoors scratch that dirtbag itch (litteraly). Plenty of distances are available with most falling in the 5K to 10K range for OCR but only 100m to 200m for Ninja if running isn’t your bag. Your best bet to find races is through ocrbuddy.com. Also available as a mobile app, they do the grunt work of putting together a full calendar of events from the big dogs in the industry to rinky-dink local events. You can search by region or radius and they even have a price metric to show how expensive each race may be.
Trad —–> Whitewater Kayaking
Expensive gear combined with specific skills only to follow the “path of least resistance” to finish beers at the pull-off. When I was going to school in the Allegheny Mountains of the Appalachians, just an hour form Seneca, it was not uncommon to find old crusty trad-dads that kept a kayak on the roof and a rack and rope in the backseat. There were plenty of places where awesome cliffs were right next to some of the best rapids in the country. New River, the Youghiogheny, Cheat, North Branch, and Savage River all run past stunning rock. If it rained the night before, hit the water while the rock dries out, and if the water was low, seek the shade and breeze by going vertical. These two disciplines seemed to go hand in hand and I fell in step. The same heart racing, exciting feeling of being runout over bad pro can be found careening down Class IV and V as you keep your wits about you. It’s never been easier to get started when even the local YMCA is offering rolling classes in the pool, and the community, in my experience, has the lowest rate of gate-keeping if you just show up at the put in looking to paddle.
Alpinism —–> Skyrunning
Early starts before dawn, light and fast movement riding the line of skill and recklessness, self-sustained efforts at altitude, and the first one back to the car wins. Skyrunning, also known as Ridge Running, has you on top of the world for as long as possible with as many peaks as possible. You are likely already comfortable at altitude and there is little investment in gear because you probably already have all the lightweight equipment, the right clothing layers, and a dialed-in nutrition/hydration system. This sport has grown so fast and become so popular that along with great local events, there are destination events all over the world with an International governing body. Go to skyrunning.com for more, or just run the ridges for fun.
Ice Climbing —–> Alpine Touring
Skiing uphill and it keeps the chance of screaming barfies alive if you stop for too long. As we know, some of the most popular ice climbs are deteriorating, or the season is getting shorter and shorter. Sometimes, snow is on the ground but the ice hasn’t formed yet, or isn’t safe. This has pushed the most adventurous deeper and farther north into the mountains, and new lines are still being put up. Alpine touring, also known as skinning and often considered a subset of Cross-Country Skiing, is an opportunity to both try another sport and allow you to access some of those far away lines that the common folk won’t ever see. Maybe you will find your own FA! There is a definitive growing culture around the sport and I doubt it will be long before its popularity really explodes and some organization forms to profit from it, so strike now while you can. Otherwise, it’s just another way to go play in the snow, you weirdos.
Mountaineering —–> Rucking
It’s just walking with heavy sh*t, except somehow, they made it competitive? There are plenty of events out there that are either running or long hikes with a loaded rucksack. Some events even have different divisions for heavier ruck loads, longer distances in the same amount of time, and there are options for individual or team-based challenges. You could even combine this with an activity like Geocaching for fun and Orienteering or OCR races for a multi-spectrum test. It is a great way to stay fit in the off-season, or to get some fun challenges in for while training for your next big peak with many of the events supporting some great causes like Wounded Warrior, Oscar Mike, and 9/11 victims relief. For more info, your best source is goruckevents.com to get started.
Final Thoughts
Take your pick to see what might be a good fit for you. For example, when I lived further North, I was not interested in ice climbing in the winter after one experience of being cold and miserable, but I loved downhill skiing. It was great for endurance and was fantastic for my legs and balance training. In the summer, when it was miserably humid to climb, I enjoyed sailing and kayak touring. It kept my rope skills and back muscles well honed for the fall climbing projects.
What other sports would you guys suggest are good transitions or seasonal place holders for climbers? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!
-Tylor Streett might do a lot of different sports, but it sure does keep life interesting.