Ashira and 14c- Thoughts?

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PeteC

climber

Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 29, 2012 - 11:43pm PT

So, as you all have no doubt read, an 11 year old girl from New York is crushing 14c. This is hugely thought provoking. One side of me is incredibly impressed and entirely inspired that one so young could be so persistent and motivated. All advantages of small stature notwithstanding, she must have an incredibly cool head and wonderful technique. But another side says it points out the invalidity of climbing ratings, the transiency of the strength to weight ratio of pre-adolescents (Cicada where are you?) and the wonder of if an 11 year old truly understands the consequences of a life threatening sport. The sending spree at least deserves a thread in contemplation. Help me solidify my thoughts. I realize that this will remain a remarkable feat regardless of my/our opinions-- it just crys out for deeper contemplation.

Nilepoc

Boulder climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:01am PT

Having climbed with and around her, I can vouch for her psych and drive. She crushes in the boulders and now apparently on the ropes as well. She pushes herself very hard and it shows. On the same trip she did two 14a's and I think one was a flash.

I hope she does not burn out like so many kids before her.

Her abilities do call into question the nature of ratings, but so do the abilities of really tall climbers and super strong climbers and all other anomalies in the climbing world. We all have styles of climbing we are better at, those abilities do not change the ratings, why should hers?

zxcvbnm

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:05am PT

She hadn't even climbed a 5.14a before and she sent her first in two tries, and then flashed her next. Then she redpointed 5.14c in 4 tries and climbed another 14c by the end of the week.

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:08am PT

Fabulous accomplishments, but the ratings were developed for adult males with adult male strength-to-weight ratios, not ratios which likely run quite significantly higher than that.

all in jim

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:21am PT

You may have made the same observations about Beth Rodden and Katie Brown when they were sub-100lb teenagers onsighting 5.13 and 5.14 respectively.

Both grew up, put on weight and continued to set the bar: Beth with an ascent of yosemite's hardest crack (still unrepeated) and Katie with a rare (is hers the only one?) onsight of RNWF of Half Dome (5.12).

Chris Sharma was also pulling off amazing feats as a 110lb 13-year old. He continues to break barriers as a burly grown-up.

I'll bet Ashima is a special climber of the same ilk as the aforementioned, and if she stays psyched will be pushing the standards in a few years as a bigger girl.

If you disagree, name a top climber who wasn't a talented (and light statured) youngster.

Fluoride

Trad climber

West Los Angeles, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:24am PT

FYI it's Ashima, not Ashira.

Amazing accomplishment but you still pose good thoughts regarding it Pete.

PeteC

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2012 - 12:27am PT

No, no, I hope she goes on to greatness. But it is she a "better climber" than, say, Ueli Steck, because she climbs a higher rating? Some would say yes.

Edit: I remember my satisfaction and sense of self esteem as I climbed my "first 5.10 ..11..12etc" and how I felt at one point that it was a measurement of my self-worth. I don't mean to imply that I'm above the ratings game. Is there a better way of rating that encompasses size advantages/disadvantages, commitment, length , dangerousness, deviousness versus straightforwardness, or ambient conditions ? Does it matter because its all contrived bullshit in our heads and the rocks are the rocks? What is the yardstick by which we measure success? I guess, as I get older, it's the friends I make through climbing and the feeling of power and beauty. Maybe Ashima feels that way already, and is 3 decades ahead of me in that regard also.

RyanD

climber

Squamish

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:27am PT

Yea, I wanna see her climb supercrack & see how that goes.

Many don't even bother with 5.10 & 5.11 anymore it seems. 5.12 is the new 5.8 for kids these days. Virtually none of these little phenoms seem to give two turds about pluggin gear, baggin peaks, or suffering either, WTF?!

Difficulty &/or grades is the endgame for the next generation it would appear.

Amazing stuff they are doing, I'd love to see these little kids crushing in person.

edit: good point below Jim, the kids are unstoppable!

all in jim

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:31am PT

^^^^

She could probably layback Supercrack and yawn the whole way up.

10b4me

Ice climber

dingy room at the Happy boulders hotel

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:35am PT

bring her to the Valley, or IC and let's see how she likes crack climbing

PeteC

climber

Topic Author's Reply - Oct 30, 2012 - 12:38am PT

Tami nailed it.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:41am PT

Well, when it comes to women's gymnastics, perhaps the nearest analogy, most of the best competitors are younger than or just at puberty. Why should it be much different for types of climbing where gymnastic/athletic ability is the key?

all in jim

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:21am PT

^^^^

Hard climbing is very much about gymnastics and acrobatics. Always has been.

ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber

bouldering

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:36am PT

Cicada where are you?

I started a thread about her a few years back. A relative later posted that she was still very active in comps and clmbing.

kunlun_shan

Mountain climber

SF, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:47am PT

re. 10b4me - bring her to the Valley, or IC and let's see how she likes crack climbing

The New Generation(on topic) - http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1964450

So Mirko, what are you climbing tomorrow?
Me: My first multi-pitch and my first crack climb
Dan & Luke: Which one?
Me: The Rostrum!
Dan & Luke: Really?? Dude! Good luck....

:-)

Melissa

Gym climber

berkeley, ca

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:57am PT

No one claims that 16 year old gymnasts aren't really at their peak on account of their size. No one asks to watch the upsized weight class instead for more valid tricks.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:15am PT

the consequences of a life threatening sport.

Like cheerleading, skiing, gymnastics....

Yea, I wanna see her climb supercrack & see how that goes.

I wanna see you send 2 5.14C's. What makes you think she can't accomplish that if she put her efforts and mind into it?

This number sh#t is so f*#king boring..
Makes me want to quit the sport and be a hiker....

Others interpretations and goals in climbing should never, ever influence you. Why should you give a f*#k what other people are inspired by, if it doesn't affect you? What are you, Republican?

suck diiiicks haters.

:) kisses!

Fluoride

Trad climber

West Los Angeles, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:35am PT

Ashima was in Reel Rock 2011. A big piece about her and her coach. She was only 9 then and had made her first trip to Hueco.

http://www.outsideonline.com/featured-videos/film-and-trailer-videos/trailers/Reel-Rock-2011--Obe---Ashima.html

crasic

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:39am PT

A friend of mine who climbs with her and some of her family members says she is already starting to burn out, with all the pressure put on her.

Every year you hear stories about those kids who go to college at the age of 12 or whatever. But you never hear stories about amazing discoveries, or Nobel Prizes (or other prizes) won by these wunderkinds. Something at somepoint goes wrong.

Hopefully, she finds something to keep herself going with the sport. Simply being good is not enough motivation in the long run.

The Larry

climber

Moab, UT

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:52am PT

Tami nailed it.

She always does.

RyanD

climber

Squamish

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:03am PT

Hey Gdavis not saying she couldn't, just saying I'd like to see it. I think it's interesting how so many of the kids that are blowing up the climbing world are so focused on this one aspect of what climbing has to offer generally, difficulty. When/if they do learn about and endeavor to trad/alpine/wall climb its always interesting to see how it goes. A lot of kid rock stars go on to forge their own path.

Actually you know what, I'd rather see her coach Obe on supercrack.

I like how honest Riley is haha

Fluoride

Trad climber

West Los Angeles, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:08am PT

Crasic, Sasha DiGiulian just started her freshman year at Columbia Univ. in NYC this fall. There is hope.

Would love to see her be the high end climber she is AND a nobel prize winner. :)

Clint Cummins

Trad climber

SF Bay area, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:25am PT

> Every year you hear stories about those kids who go to college at the age of 12 or whatever. But you never hear stories about amazing discoveries, or Nobel Prizes (or other prizes) won by these wunderkinds. Something at somepoint goes wrong.

This is a pretty different subject - going to college at age 12.
There are child prodigy scholars who don't burn out, though.
An example is John von Neumann.
He went to school at regular grade level (at the insistence of his father) but had private tutors so he could learn independently.
"As a 6 year old, he could divide two 8-digit numbers in his head.
By the age of 8, he was familiar with differential and integral calculus."
He made a lot of discoveries in so many fields, and didn't burn out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_von_Neumann

He didn't win a Nobel Prize, but there's no Nobel Prize in Math, and there wasn't one in Econ when he was alive.

rick d

climber

ol pueblo, az

Oct 30, 2012 - 09:43am PT

When the kid solos the north twin, comes back to civilization with a 1,000 yard stare and says nothing,(no photos, no vimeo videos, nothing more than a one line blurb)-then gets bitten by the bug and climbs through into their 80's.-then and only then will I accept sport climbing as a valid training venue.

(see Fred Beckey and second ascent of Waddington as a teenager.)

otherwise flash in pan. Rodden and Brown are really not cutting edge anymore-sorta like Nadia Comăneci. Sharma still has not gone alpine climbing.

-starting my 32 year, still doing FA's that no one will hear about for at least a decade ha ha ha.

mcreel

climber

Barcelona

Oct 30, 2012 - 09:53am PT

My basic deep and considered reflection, after reflecting on my 30+ years climbing, across the spectrum from peak bagging to bouldering, trad 'n sport, wooden blocks to glued in rebars, goldline to 9.8 singles, burned crotch from dulfersitz to popped ring finger tendon from cranking, pemmican to goo, is that it's pretty damn amazing.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 10:30am PT

The fact that a little girl did something amazing and people are grasping at negativities speaks volumes about the inner monologue that must play inside your head.

opinions are like as#@&%es, everyone has them and they all stink.

Ashima is a bad mother f*#ker. You don't have to like sport climbing, you don't have to like the mentality that high-end athletics brings, hell you don't even have to like the f*#king Red.

Whether it is rock climbing or tennis, this little girl did something amazing. Just appreciate it. Doesn't cost you anything to be decent.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 10:32am PT

Rodden and Brown are really not cutting edge anymore

Brown has freed several valley big walls (WFLT, NWFHD, gave an attempt on Zodiac with Honnold) and Rodden has had to deal with a career ending injury - AFTER a divorce. She's also freed more el cap routes than any other woman, and almost any man, all in her 20's.

Yeah... they just never really performed to their potential : /

Alpamayo

Trad climber

Chapel Hill, NC

Oct 30, 2012 - 10:48am PT

^^^This

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Oct 30, 2012 - 10:49am PT

Hmm I'm not sure this requires much deep thought really.

She is impressively good. Very Cool

From a pure technical point of view it is not surprising to see young gals excelling. It is a gymnastic sport. People have seen this coming for decades.

What does it mean to my climbing? Not much other than it's cool to hear about.

I sure don't see why it's bothering anyone. Hmmm I guess I can imagine why it might for some people. Your identity would have to be waaaay too caught up in competitive numbers if it does.

jfs

Trad climber

Upper Leftish

Oct 30, 2012 - 10:58am PT

GDavis agreed. grasping at negatives... or just grasping.

"Yeah but ...can she...?"

Seriously???

Wow.

Supertopo amazes me....again.

She's an amazing little girl. To whatever degree there's any similarity between her "sport" and my "sport" I can at least identify with the drive that motivates her to push her own limits. It's fantastic. I wish her the best.

mountainlion

Trad climber

California

Oct 30, 2012 - 11:30am PT

Every single one of the young climbers who looked to me to do all the onsight leading surpassed me in every aspect of climbing and IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!

The next generation should surpass us that is the way of the world. She will mentor someone in the future who will surpass her!!

Good for her!

I'm climbing better than I ever have and still am probably the worst climber at the crag. Just started sport climbing because it's what overhanging limestone has and I love it! Not turning my back on my roots in trad but I have new friends who sport climb. Watched a guy make a stick clip out of bamboo and clip a bolt 9 feet off the deck---I kept my mouth shut---he was leading I was belaying it's his ass, motherf#%@r red pointed sustained 5.12b. I led it ground up or shut up to the third bolt and was scared of decking at the 2nd clip and couldn't pull the 3rd 5.12 move (1 finger pocket). I was happy for my buddy who fired it and happy for me also now I have a new goal= get stronger, use better footwork. I can't be 12 again but I can be 40 going on 12.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 11:35am PT

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 11:36am PT

ratings are a necessary part of the sport in the sense that they provide the knowledge that, in former times, would come from a knowledgeable local, a guide, who would lead climbers on the climb.

we use the word "guide" to mean the written description of the routes, and a part of that description is the answer to the question: how hard is it?

it isn't so surprising that the degree of difficulty be turned around to indicate the accomplishment of the climber, and it is a short hand way of determining a hierarchy of sorts in a group of climbers. In the sense that climbing is a sport, the ratings may mean something.

In the other sense of climbing the ratings mean very little, climbing is not a sport, but often a means to adventure where what is at risk is the life of its participants. That sense of climbing does not fit into our perception of it as sport, though the risk is a big part of climbing, and the consequences of a fall the frontier between sport and adventure. It is a frontier that we all ask ourselves about crossing, every time we go out, what are we willing to ante up?

So I'd say as a sport, it is very interesting to watch the progression of difficulty among the youth. Whether or not someone stays in climbing seems a strange metric, an elite athlete has only so many years at the peak of their sport. Once that peak has been reached the motivation to continue can be elusive to find, especially to maintain a level near that peak. It's not impossible, but it is rare.

From my observation that period for climbing seems to be around 10 years, and happens in the late teens to late twenties. At that time, it seems, the climbing life starts to dim and other interests start to become more important. It struck me looking at the audience at the Face Lift this year, how many old climbers were there and how many young... and not only that, but the unawareness of each of those audiences of the other. But of the old, there were few compared to the numbers of their youth.

In terms of risk, it is a part of any adventure, and certainly one wouldn't expect an athlete to undertake some of the adventures even a weekender alpinist might decide to take, no level of accomplishment protects the participants who venture into the realm where many random occurrences could threaten life.

It is also natural to take what we learn from the sport of climbing into the domain of the climbing adventure, those athletes who get interested in the sport and go on to a lifelong participation in climbing would naturally push up the level of all of climbing, and in so doing up the adventure ante. But we don't even know why we do it ourselves, how could we decide what a teenager might do with their amazing skills.

So we can all appreciate athletic accomplishment, and even try to learn something from those accomplishment from the people who perform them. Bottom line is we all like the movement over stone, we like doing it in the flow, in the moment when we do not have to be conscious of it, where there seems to be little effort, and we are transported into a place few people venture.

Whether that is high on a granite cliff or overcoming a 15 foot boulder, we recognize that state and we seek it out.

We like it, we have fun with it, and at some point, we can leave the guide at home and go out and enjoy climbing without the artificialities.

k-man

Gym climber

SCruz

Oct 30, 2012 - 11:45am PT

Why is it that folks feel threatened if somebody, even if it's a young girl, can pull harder than they can?

I think the grading system is OK. Think about it--surely Ashima can tell the difference between grades. Put her on a .12a, a .12c, a .13b, she can probably tell you which one is harder than the next.

Certainly, she might have a hard time on overhanging fist cracks, but if she desired to send those, she probably could train to do so.

Relax, it's just us folks out having a time of it all. I applaud the focus and strength that it requires to send at such a high level.

And yeah, I'm jealous.

BlackSpider

Ice climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:05pm PT

Again, I'd love to see some of these kids get on a Henny, Rollins, Carson, Clevenger, Higgins etal clean face runout test piece where strength (Pulling?) and gymnastic abilities mean absolutely nothing.

Adam Ondra has climbed multi-pitch 5.14s in the Ratikon that were hand-bolted on lead with huge runouts, so I doubt he'd have a huge problem with some of the stuff you are describing. It's like some people here think these climbers are just campusing every move and that footwork and technique means absolutely nothing.

Not to mention that the climbers currently operating at the highest level in trad - Dave MacLeod, James McHaffie, Alex Honnold, etc. - all pull 5.14+ on bolts. The translation of sport climbing power and technique to physically easier but mentally tougher trad or trad-ish routes is not as alien as many would like to believe.

Melissa

Gym climber

berkeley, ca

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:09pm PT

I bet your dad can beat up her dad too.

Alpamayo

Trad climber

Chapel Hill, NC

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:18pm PT

IMO it is much easier to gain the mental game to climb runnout faces a couple of number grades below your max than it is to get your max up into the 14's. I have no doubt that you could teach a young 5.14 sport climber to climb Bacher-Yerian faster than you could teach the average 5.11 trad climber to climb 5.14

Reality is, however, that most young 5.14 sport climbers have no interest whatsoever in runnout trad climbs two numbers below their max.

blahblah

Gym climber

Boulder

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:19pm PT

I think the grading system is OK. Think about it--surely Ashima can tell the difference between grades. Put her on a .12a, a .12c, a .13b, she can probably tell you which one is harder than the next.

I've thought about it and disagree, at least in some cases (although in most cases, you're probably right).
I imagine that Ashima could get shut down on certain boulder problems that are V2 or V3, if they are entirely dependent on reach and have no intermediate holds (obviously she's not going to need much of an intermediate hold, but she's going to need something). When you hear about the super hard problems that short, light children (or very small adults) do, you don't necessarily hear about the "relatively easy" (for an average size man) things that they can't do.

When you reduce the difficulty of a climb/boulder problem to a single number, that number's not going to be the same for climbers of vastly different dimensions. This is most obvious for things like pure cracks and very reach dependent moves.

That's not to say that she isn't a "better" or "stronger" climber than 99.whatever % of climbers--I'm sure she is.

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:38pm PT

Yeah I'd be sad too if I were 11 years old and couldn't get up Astro-man or Hall of Mirrors. Especially when 10 year old just did the rostrum as his first multi-pitch First crack climb.. No falls

ROTFLMAO

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Oct 30, 2012 - 12:53pm PT

Well I will agree that I get more of a kick out of seeing that Kid who did the Rostrum at age 10 than I get out of hearing another 5.14. Or the girl who climbed RNWF with her dad. (interesting same mentor involved)

Probably because 5.14 is something I can't relate to really. That's my own failure of vision not theirs for sure.

It's all good and I hope as these kids go on they get to enjoy all that climbing can be with such incredible talent and early dedication.

Mind blowing possibilities it seems.

BruceAnderson

Social climber

Los Angeles currently St. Antonin, France

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:01pm PT

What gets lost in all this a bit is just how hard thses routes really are. Like always the best climbers make the impossible look easy. To me grades get exponetially harder. It's not linear. I mean there's such a huge difference between say 13a and 13c. Even more so between a 14a and a 14d for crying out loud.

ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber

SLO, Ca

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:01pm PT

Good for her.

Kids that crush threads always draw the "she can't climb cracks" or "let's see her on some 70s runout slab" comments. What BS. Crack climbing is just climbing not some mysterious art--put your hand or finger in the crack and pull. 99% of the climbing population does not climb dangerous run out climbs so I've never understood why they are always upheld as some general measurement of ability.

My only concern if it was my kid would be muscle and tendon development.

splitter

Trad climber

Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:02pm PT

I recall watching Chris Lindner lead Robbins Crack (10a) for his first time. He was 4 y.o. (87-88?). And soloed it shortly therafter. And a month or two after that, he sends Starving In Stereo (12a/crack). Lead his first 13a sport at the age of 9! And his first 14c at 16. So, he continued on to climb harder and harder stuff. And is still stoked about climbing.

"Climbing, in my opinion, is the coolest sport in the world, and I enjoy helping people realize that." Chris Lindner (2010)

So, it seems as though CL was & is having a lot of fun climbing. That is what it is all about, having fun. Hopefully, so is Ashira. And, imo, that is all we should be concerned about (in regards to her) that she is having a lot of fun, ... eh? So, what's with all the drama?

Baggins

Boulder climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:10pm PT

First of - amazing stuff. These japanese (little) women seem to be leading the world, and I am thrilled at the prospect of seeing the sport develop with their efforts.

I dont understand this comment:

Fabulous accomplishments, but the ratings were developed for adult males with adult male strength-to-weight ratios, not ratios which likely run quite significantly higher than that.

Ummm. There's nothing wrong with the ratings. Turns out, being small and thin is the most ideal body shape for climbing very very hard routes and boulders.

Ratings are body shape (hand size) dependent for crack climbs of course, but thats not relevant to Ashimas climbing (yet).

I understand that old school tradsters cant understand what 5.14+ means. I certainly cant. But its fair to say that most of these cutting edge sport climbers could probably make el cap look like a walk in the park, if sufficiently motivated.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:23pm PT

Jesus Christ this thread is full of sh*t bags.

There's a girl. She's 11. She's strong.

Not suffering through 10a doesn't make her cool?

No, it makes you an out of shape, no technique slob. (unless it's OW, then suffering may occur.)

I don't get why so many sh*theads on this forum bag on people who climb 5.15 / vHARD. "No skill" "no suffering" "plug gear" for f*cks sake. Everyone has different interests.

Bouldering.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:35pm PT

Joseph said:

Fabulous accomplishments, but the ratings were developed for adult males with adult male strength-to-weight ratios, not ratios which likely run quite significantly higher than that.

Response:

This is a typical response...blah blah blah she has an advantage blah blah blah...

I could point out that her technique is FLAWLESS compared to 99% of adults, including YOU(Drew has spent a fair bit of time climbing with her and is no slouch in that department. I could also point out that she's about 4'-8" tall. I might also point out that she's been training HARD for more than half a decade with high level coaches...

I think that "we" the older generation are being faced with a revolution in the sport and that is that.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:38pm PT

Riley said:

"Yea, I wanna see her climb supercrack & see how that goes.

Many don't even bother with 5.10 & 5.11 anymore it seems. 5.12 is the new 5.8 for kids these days. Virtually none of these little phenoms seem to give two turds about pluggin gear, baggin peaks, or suffering either, WTF?!

Difficulty &/or grades is the endgame for the next generation it would appear.

Amazing stuff they are doing, I'd love to see these little kids crushing in person.

edit: good point below Jim, the kids are unstoppable"

Uhhh you might not be that informed as to what these kids can do with cracks and they can plug gear as well as or better than 90% of adults.

Just sayin'...

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:41pm PT

Alpine/trad climbing is something very, very different.

What does that have to do with anything? Seriously. Who is saying otherwise?

You bro's need to get your Test levels checked. Little girl has you all clawing at myths like an old Sensei teaching his dragon nonsense bullshit to wide eyed kids...

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:42pm PT

blahblah

Gym climber

Boulder

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:44pm PT

I'll try one more time.

I am sure there are boulder problems and routes where a say, 6' guy has to do a good lunge to get from hold to hold, and it's about V2 or V3 for that guy. If the little girl can't do that route, can the 6' guy say it's V12 or whatever, since it shut down a V-double-digit climber?
(To make this concrete, consider the route "Take That, Katie Brown," although that's apparently a very hard route by any standard. No crack involved.)

It's not just cracks that are size dependent. And I agree (and it's obvious) that "being small and thin is the most ideal body shape for climbing very very hard routes," but only most of the time.

Patrick Sawyer

climber

Originally California now Ireland

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:47pm PT

So when does she dress up for a beauty pageant? I don't know, on one hand fair play to her, but on the other hand, why can't we let kids be kids instead of pushing them. I am not saying this young lady was being pushed, but it happens a lot by parents.

Alpamayo

Trad climber

Chapel Hill, NC

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:51pm PT

Yeah, I don't get it...the TR's here get nothing but positive comments for another average ascent of Dana or some routine aid ascent of another grade V trade route (don't get me wrong, I think those things are awesome too)...but climbing that actually takes more than average talent and dedication gets bashed. Strong work.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:54pm PT

"Jesus Christ this thread is full of sh*t bags.

There's a girl. She's 11. She's strong.

Not suffering through 10a doesn't make her cool?

No, it makes you an out of shape, no technique slob. (unless it's OW, then suffering may occur.)

I don't get why so many sh*theads on this forum bag on people who climb 5.15 / vHARD. "No skill" "no suffering" "plug gear" for f*cks sake. Everyone has different interests.

Bouldering."

^^^^ AWESOME

Folks...you should maybe attend a youth comp one of these days and get a look at what's happening...its sick in an awesome way...

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:58pm PT

moosedrool says:

"Although very impressive, achievements in a gym or on bolted sport routs are just circus tricks. Alpine/trad climbing is something very, very different. Just because Ashima is using rock for her gymnastics, doesn't mean she is a climber, yet. IMHO. "

and i suppose a high level FIS J1 or J2 slalom, GS, or downhiller is really not that great of a skier cuz he ain't shreddin' the backcountry, eh? More just circus tricks

Blahblahblah...

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Oct 30, 2012 - 01:59pm PT

^^^^^^^^^^^

Oh definately.. racers usually suck

Racers like ice

They don't have a magazine called ICE do they? No it's called POWDER

hehe haven't dusted that old rant off for a while :)

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:01pm PT

Blablah

I agree with you completely, we all have strengths.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:02pm PT

Climb2ski,

hahahaha Touche`

Watch this punter ski some sick, bullet blue ICE on rails:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv6WJr11xkQ

Cheers
;-)

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:03pm PT

Oh dammit...

wrong link...sorry 'bout that! !-)

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:06pm PT

Different strokes for different folks.

10b4me

Ice climber

dingy room at the Happy boulders hotel

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:08pm PT

I hope this little gal gets a good mentor to teach here the ropes of trad because if you can climb 14c and you cant get up classics like Astroman or the Rostrum that to me would be sad.

+ 1

but, as someone already posted. there are signs of burnout.
she may never have the chance to climb the said classics

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:10pm PT

"classics"

F*cking christ. If Mirko can do it, Ashima can.

She's having fun pushing her limits on Bolts.

She's probably still not comfortable with getting up high.

She's 11. Bolts are plenty safe for her.

SIGNS OF BURNOUT??

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What is wrong with you people?
She sends two 14c's in 7 days, and you guys say there are "signs of burning out" ? ? ? ? WHAT THE Hell.

Baggins

Boulder climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:20pm PT

I am sure there are boulder problems and routes where a say, 6' guy has to do a good lunge to get from hold to hold, and it's about V2 or V3 for that guy. If the little girl can't do that route, can the 6' guy say it's V12 or whatever, since it shut down a V-double-digit climber?

Agreed. Thats a microcosm, important for the difficulty a boulder problem, and sometimes for particular routes with acute cruxes. The beauty of rock of course is that it allows many differently shaped people to climb, sometimes using totally different sequences with different holds.

But in general, being small and thin doesnt alter the difficulty of a route. On average. Climbing has a great inbuilt counterbalance effect that generally keeps things even - e.g. small reach corresponds with small hands to make small intermediate dimples into usable holds. It doesnt create an unfair advantage, unless you think that being the most ideal shape to climb is somehow unfair and the ratings shouldnt apply to these people in the same way.

Im sorry to have got involved in a grade debate.. the bottom line is take grades with a pinch of salt - but not a spoonful!!

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:21pm PT

The grade debates here can't compare to 8a.nu's debates. And none of those guys talk about how cool struggling up 5.10 is on a public forum.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:24pm PT

Also, Adam Ondra just flashed Southern Smoke Direct. That's the hardest flash EVER. And he rated it easier than it's graded. (graded 9a+/15a, he thinks 9a/14d)

But it wasn't struggling up a 5.10 so it's not cool. Or takes and skill. And it's not climbing.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

Yes.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:29pm PT

MichaelD,

Ondra flashed the direct start into Southern Smoke. That is what is 14d. Southern Smoke w/o the direct start is 14c.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:31pm PT

direct* ;)

I mean, pussies, Should be doing hard 5.9 trad in The Valley.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:34pm PT

ha! punters...

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:41pm PT

yeah...but climbing is easier for women!

just sayin!

;-)

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:52pm PT

perhaps i may have read more into this than was there: "Yea, I wanna see her climb supercrack & see how that goes."

It looked to me like we were doing a little comparison...that is all...

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:54pm PT

You like Football, but not being tackled, or scoring, or playing with anyone... Just running around the field with a ball. That's cool. You came off harsh and biased and a total prick.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:56pm PT

michaeld

Snorted coffee out my nose over that one....

kennyt

climber

Woodfords,California

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:57pm PT

It must be her little hands

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 02:58pm PT

Did you picture a little kid running around the backyard with a nerf football while his parents are bull sh*tting around the bbq?

Or what you think Reily looks like running around a big open field with scattered trees and a football, just running anywhere, birds singing, happy as hell?

all in jim

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:05pm PT

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:07pm PT

I pictured Reily streaking into a football game, as free as a bird, singing some merry-go-round song...

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:08pm PT

Ya but those guys are tossers. They got strong before learning how to do trad. That's unfair! God forbid someone learns a little technique and get's strong before learning how to place gear.

@ SeaClimb. Wtf?

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:08pm PT

all in jim:

those climbers are all washed up...duh!

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:12pm PT

he didn't call you a prick...he pointed out how your post came across. Personally, i think it did come across the way he pointed it out.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:12pm PT

They're showing signs of burnout.

Chris Sharma hasn't quite sent 5.15c yet. And Onsighting Moonlight Buttress wasn't cool because it was overhanging. He's burning out.

Tommy is just relaxing on a Portaledge on a blank route known as The Dawn Wall. Tosser should be doing Royal Arches or something burly!

Not sure who Katie Brown is, but i'm sure she's burnt out too! Oh wait isn't she the one in that Commercial with Alex? BURNTOUT

@ Reily. I'm sure your nice. I didn't call you a prick, but you come off as one.

Gal

Trad climber

a semi lucid consciousness

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:28pm PT

Hey Riley, I don't think you should bow out of the conversation... I like your ideas and don't think you come off like a prick. f*#k 'em...!

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:29pm PT

I'm sorry if I gave off the impression I am really *that* upset about it, I am not... just the way I like to communicate on forums. like a PMS'ing chick.

f*#king soy.

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:39pm PT

Why don't you people let ASHIMA do her thing and care about yourself? If to her climbing is about acrobatics, strength, training, and difficulty, than let her do what she enjoys. All you Croft and Bachar-worshiping groupies think those guys didn't train HARD for their feats? Or you don't think U. Steck trains? Those guys were not perfect, and trained hard for what they did. What they did of course is different from what she does, but who knows what she will do when she is their age??? That will remain a mystery for now. Let the young crush, maybe one day they will end up doing impressive stuff in the mountains as well.

TheChief! Come on man! "Put her on this run out blah blah blah..." omfg, it's a kid!... for some reason I am not surprised...

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:42pm PT

I actually like your posts GDavis.

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:47pm PT

I've also heard Chic Scott say it that most of us have a window in our late teens/early 20's for our Great Big Hard Routes.

Oh f*#k my life! Why didn't I start climbing before 24?!? Should I quit now? Since it is obviously useless to continue.

Steve House didn't do the Rupal Face before 25! :)

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 03:48pm PT

Sharma is in his 30's. He's come quite a few grades since his late teens early twenties.

Loose Rocks

Trad climber

Santa Rosa, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:08pm PT

Exception, he hangs out in a small crowd. Rule, that's one popular dude.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:17pm PT

I've also heard Chic Scott say it that most of us have a window in our late teens/early 20's for our Great Big Hard Routes.

He is ABSOLUTELY correct. However, we don't know who is able, and who is unable, to do great difficult things into their later years. The only way to find out is to commit to climbing wholly, mind body and spirit, and give it 100% of your focus and attention. If you fall short, you did so with discipline.

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:27pm PT

Climbing is a complex endevour.. while pure athletic ability is a component it is not the most important perhaps.

There is much left to accomplish in climbing.

Opportunities for those who dare at any age.

Meru Sharks Fin? Not the realm of pre-teens for sure.

How many really care to challenge the state of the art? Some for sure and that is a rewarding possibility for some. A place where pure athletic ability is a huge advantage

Great thing about climbing is that the same amount of individual challenge and reward is available to each participant at every level.

Unless one cares too much what others think of them.

I have honestly been as excited for a newbie doing Grack as I was watching Hans and Alex break the nose speed record.

On the same day in the same valley.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:28pm PT

I think the idea that "talent" has much, if anything, to do with steep enduro pulling (e.g. The Red, where everyone goes to tick their big numbers), is misguided.

I also think that climbs are generally rated for the average sized person. It's the reason that number ratings on crack climbs can be ridiculous if you have exceptionally large or small hands. 5.13 fingerstacks...for a guy with 5" fists and sausage fingers who is getting bomb fingerlocks instead of stacks...c'mon it's at least a number easier for him. Same deal for the small hands woman who is getting baggy/off fists in "5.10" blue camalots cracks...she can hike "5.12" rings (getting hands, at 5.10) but shutdown on "5.10" cups...because it's not 5.10 for her, it's 5.11ow.

So the concept than a tiny young child, who is getting two-pad deep jugs, where the rating is for an avg person who would be getting half-pad deep crimps, is climbing as "hard" just doesn't ring true.

It's great to see young kids who give it everything, try hard, get tenacious, etc. And many of them go on to climb bigger numbers even after they've grown to adult body size. Many don't. Clearly this young lady is at the top of heap among her peers.

But to pretend they are having the same experience on a route as someone of the avg body size, and comparing their accomplishments under that assumption, is silly...just like pretending that a route with spaced out holds that an adult can easily reach between is just as easy for the kid when they have to dyno between them.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:31pm PT

yeah...and Hussein Bolt really isn't that fast compared to the rest of us...he just has a body built for that, i'd like to see his time w/ my beer gut...he prolly doesn't train that much either...

Rhodo-Router

Gym climber

overchalking on Grant's Crack

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:33pm PT

"Love to see her get on and flash Raliegh Collins's A-Hills .12a blank clean face testpiece or Henny's new totally blank clean face .13+ project next to my line in Pine Creek"

The oblivious self-caricature in this statement is priceless. no wonder people dismiss this forum as a bunch of irrelevant , has-been blowhards.

I hope the kid enjoys herself and does things for her own reasons, out of love and joy. just like all of us.

Peace.

Rob

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:36pm PT

^ and ^^

Agree.

Has-been blowhards,

And Hussein Bolt isn't talented, he's just built to run fast.

Ashima's parents are Hella Japanese.

The tallest she'll be is MAYBE a foot taller then she's at now. Her hands won't grow that much, If anything she'll get STRONGER.

Saying she's only crushing because her hands are small is stupid as sh*t and you should stick to gym climbing.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:36pm PT

yep...another punter...world is full of them!

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:39pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Ashima is a no skill tosser-punter.

@ 1:35

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:51pm PT

Saying she's only crushing because her hands are small is stupid as sh*t and you should stick to gym climbing

How sweet. Angry little man is angry. And doesn't have well developed reading comprehension.

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Oct 30, 2012 - 04:59pm PT

Btw, I should correct myself. It is good to discuss, and brainstorm about here (is it ok to load kids with HARD TRAINING at such young age etc), but I do not think it was ok to tell her to do things, such as "Love to see her get on and flash Raliegh Collins's A-Hills .12a blank clean face testpiece or Henny's new totally blank clean face .13+ project next to my line in Pine Creek"

NO DUDE, YOU GET ON IT! Especially knowing that your line is no harder than 5.10.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:09pm PT

If anyone in this thread can comment on high-end sport climbing, El Cap can pull some rank...

I think its impossible to quantify how much easier it must be for her because of the style of climbing. There is an advantage on small holds, but there are disadvantages in sections where you move past 5.11 jugs that are spaced.

I have no f*#king clue, maybe the route is 5.12 for her. Maybe its 5.15b. No point in arguing either way because doesn't really matter....

The standard of measurement is all wonky because of this, and it confuses many - like trying to divide by zero.

Want to really know? Empirically? Ask her when she is older what she thinks of those routes. I'll bet she will still be able to do them...

Jimmy Russells

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:14pm PT

F*#K IT LET'S PUT HER ON PERILOUS JOURNEY HAHAHAHAHA LITTLE GIRL WHAT NOW???

Jeez, fellas. God forbid some 11 year old starts crushing sport climbs. Sounds like some crusty old skool trad jimmies got stuck in a fistjam and needed to be rustled out.

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:19pm PT

AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!! LETS PUT HER ON SOUTHERN BELLE AND SEE WHAT SHE DOES ON IT!

bunch of insecure wankers...

Hawkeye

climber

State of Mine

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:28pm PT

that little girl can crush harder than probably all the negative wankers on this thread and most importanatly has a smile on her face. go have another beer or whiskey that should make you insecure wankers feel better about yourself.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:30pm PT

The standard of measurement is all wonky

That was my entire point. Nothing to do with the particular young lady in question. And no, I can't pull rank on anyone. You don't have to climb any particular rating to know that bigger holds on the same terrain = less difficult, and tiny hands means bigger holds. Why this blindly obvious concept riles people up is beyond me.

People point to Sharma, Caldwell, etc as young guns who didn't burn out and continued to climb harder as they grew into adult sized frames. But if you really tease that out a bit, they didn't progress as much as we might have expected...and I put a lot of that down to growing into an adult body. Think about it, both those guys ticked Necessary Evil, which at 14c was supposed to be the hardest route in the US at the time, when they were 15/16 (IIRC, they were actually road tripping together that summer). And about 5 years later they'd done what? 14d. Sharma did the first 15a at 20. One to two letter grades, while being essentially full time professional climbers?

S.Leeper

Social climber

somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:30pm PT

this is my take too. I appreciate trad and alpine and all the mental aspects of both; it doesn't diminish how other worldly this accomplishment is.

bhilden

Trad climber

Mountain View, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:45pm PT

My biggest problem with Ashima's latest outing at the Red is those were the same routes I wanted to be ticking when I was there. If she had just sucked it up and tried some harder routes I wouldn't have had to stand around wasting my precious time waiting for my turn to work those climbs:-)

Gilwad

climber

Frozen In Somewhere

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:48pm PT

Sport climbing is by far the hardest genre of climbing to get "good" at. This is proven by the sport climbers who go on to dominate in alpine climbing (Steck, Destiville, JC Lafaille, etc etc) vs. the alpinists who get any good at sport climbing (none). Edlinger did Sphinx crack either onsight or very quickly, same with Yuji Hirayama... The sportsters have always dominated any genre they get into, not so of the others genres getting into sport climbing. Too much commitment required for sport climbing, while staggering uphill requires very little in comparison.

I've done a lot of sport climbing, alpine climbing and ice climbing. Holding up alpine climbing as being somehow the pinnacle of climbing is like holding up Everest as being the most difficult climb because it's the highest. Please.

As for Ashira, if she burns out tomorrow and is done with climbing she will have done something beautiful and cool. Unlike all the people saying the routes are easy for her because of her size; I recall some losers saying the same thing about Lynn HIll's fingers and her ascent of the nose (Oh, and Lynn wasn't a half bad sport climber in her day either)... Get your egos in check and stand in awe of something really amazing. There are probably problems for Ashira in life, but I bet she sorts 'em out better than the average kid.

t-bone

climber

Bishop

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:56pm PT

Funny how some psuedo-hardmen's identities can't handle the thought of a 12 yo girl climbing harder than them.
…but she isn't a real "climber" cause blah blah blah.
Good luck dealing with your midlife crisis.

Rhodo-Router

Gym climber

overchalking on Grant's Crack

Oct 30, 2012 - 05:58pm PT

Yeah but...RUNOUTS...OFFWIDTHS....BITD....blah blah blah

(slinks off to fondle swami belt)

LabRat314

Ice climber

Squamish

Oct 30, 2012 - 06:06pm PT

I BET SHE COULDNT LEAD A6+

Just kidding. This girl pulls hard. Awesome. I hope she keeps it up for a long time.

S.Leeper

Social climber

somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'

Oct 30, 2012 - 06:21pm PT

A6 woudn't be a problem; she weighs as much as 2 monster 20 ozers

guyman

Social climber

Moorpark, CA.

Oct 30, 2012 - 06:36pm PT

Good for her.....

climb hard and get the reward.

She can rope gun for me, don't know if I could clean the gear.

I remember a little 6 year old Linder kid, powering up 11D/12A it
was fun to watch.

I don't know about the TACO sometimes, lots of folks grousing about how many angeles can dance on a pin head.

relax

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 30, 2012 - 06:51pm PT

Michaeld:

Saying she's only crushing because her hands are small is stupid as sh*t and you should stick to gym climbing

Elcapinyoazz:

How sweet. Angry little man is angry. And doesn't have well developed reading comprehension.

Hmmm...

Elcapinyoazz:
So the concept than a tiny young child, who is getting two-pad deep jugs, where the rating is for an avg person who would be getting half-pad deep crimps, is climbing as "hard" just doesn't ring true.

Okay, my bad reading comprehension is still bad. Enlighten me. What did I miss?

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 30, 2012 - 06:52pm PT

Sure are a lot of strawmen being burned in this thread. Lot of projection too.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 07:13pm PT

It is OK to have the discussion about how a persons body may affect their climbing and how certain climbing areas lend themselves to certain body types... I talk about this all the time. It's a natural thought to have.

What ISN'T natural is trying to reason why it is that she must be great, and why that reason really isn't all that impressive. That thought comes from an entirely different place.

AKDOG

Mountain climber

Anchorage, AK

Oct 30, 2012 - 07:17pm PT

She is completely rad, congrats… I think like women’s gymnastics, there may come a time in sport climbing when you are over the hill by the time you hit 21. Then you can legally hit the beer and whiskey and rest on your laurels while you talk trash about the next crew that is ripping it up. But I doubt a 11 y/o can truely appreciate a good single malt!

Too much commitment required for sport climbing, while staggering uphill requires very little in comparison

In alpine climbing, sometimes it takes a ton of commitment just to find a safe place to sleep. It is all climbing and all good, but until an 11 y/o fires off the Rupal face don’t put down the commitment required for high end alpine climbing.

jogill

climber

Colorado

Oct 30, 2012 - 07:39pm PT

Being one-time gymnasts, Pat Ament and I used to joke about rock climbing turning into girls gymnastics (why use the word "womens" when they are barely 16, if that). When I started climbing in 1953, I did so because it was largely a "mans" sport and I could use it to develop a manly physique. Leather knickers, stocking caps and sweating,bulging muscles, that sort of thing. Isn't that hilarious in this day and age!

If I valued my climbing so much I should have stayed at 145 pounds, and 6'2", not gain the 40 pounds of muscle I did doing gymnastics and bodyweight exercises. But, know what? I can still do some of that stuff and I get a more enjoyable workout than toiling on some boulder problem put up by a skinny, little kid.

Recently, I've speculated that women (girls) could successfully compete with men on the horizontal bar - they do the same moves on the uneven bars.

Men, return to weight lifting, where you will always succeed! Or bodybuilding, where your manly form will be appreciated. Leave climbing to thin little waifs, and let them reconfigure the ratings systems. Be a man! Wear lederhosen, mountain boots, and smoke you masculine pipe.

;>)

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 30, 2012 - 07:46pm PT

Leather knickers, stocking caps and sweating,bulging muscles, that sort of thing.

Sounds like the missing member of the Village People.

all in jim

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 08:28pm PT

180lbs - V15. Think Fred's making excuses?

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 30, 2012 - 09:08pm PT

I spent a LOT of time, a TON of training, working on HER discipline. She f*#ks me up on rock.

I have some old-guy tricks that might stave off the younger generation... for a little while... but they be comin', baby.

GilWad (Will Gadd, one of the greatest ice climbers to ever live) echos sentiments I think, too - all that gear-placing, thoughtful protection, belay building sh#t comes fast. I became about as 'smart' as a trad climber while being 50lbs overweight and never training. Once I took bouldering seriously as an art I started to onsight 5.10 instead of fall on 5.7's.... it all helps, but the physicality of HARD climbing is harder for some than all that other stuff.

Just my .02....

Jingy

climber

Somewhere out there

Oct 30, 2012 - 09:25pm PT

Having long been out of the climbing ring, my hopes are that this little girl looks at a completely blank wall with no routes on it and decides to put an incredible climb on it!!!

If this is what she can do at this age, with a little maturity she will surpass most if not all going forward.

Props to the young ones as they continue to stomp what many think impossible.

P.S. Age should not be your gauge on anyone's stature. The mind will get you anywhere

aspendougy

Trad climber

Los Angeles, CA

Oct 30, 2012 - 09:58pm PT

In watching the video of the contest, it is certainly amazing what those tho little girls have accomplished, but my impression of the routes is that there is a sameness to all of them; very steep, lunges, sloping holds.

It would be more interesting to see longer roped climbs; even if bolted, so that they could show their skill on off widths, flared chimneys, stemming, etc.

Not to mention a trad climbing contest, where they have to carry a rack.

Maybe someday someone will gut out a huge 1,200 foot high rise and make a large scale climbing gym.

I understand this was a bouldering contest, so there are more limitations.

zxcvbnm

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 10:33pm PT

Fred said he weighs 165 lbs in an interview

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 11:05pm PT

THere is no way Fred Nicole weighed 180 lbs...maybe 145 tops in his prime...the dude is like 5'-6"...

hahahaha

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 30, 2012 - 11:09pm PT

aspendoughy,

these kids can and do crush cracks, all kinds. my boy, at age 12 could crush 5.11 offwidths, 5.12 fingers, all types of hands, etc.

Face it guys, these kids are highly trained, only worry about school, have no kids themselves to worry about, coaches that no how to climb and "soccer" parents willing to get them everything they need. You can't compete with this...don't feel bad, you can't compete in girls gymnastics, but you still appreciate it, right?

splitter

Trad climber

Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane

Oct 30, 2012 - 11:23pm PT

So what if she climbs for another five years and then finds it boring, unrewarding and a self centered headtrip, or whatever. Or quits tomorrow cuz she decided she wanted to commit her life to serving other people, instead of pleasing a bunch of over the hill wannbee flakes. Or she has already quit and its nobodies business why and what she is gonna do with the rest of her life!

What a lame thread. Ain't you people got anything better to do?????!!

Oh yeah, this is SuperDopo!!!

edit: I mean really, is success or failure in climbing a f*#kin rock the be all and endall in life on this planet? How you judge your fellow human beings? Put them on pedestal's and then knock them down when they nolonger meet YOUR standards/criteria, or whatever?

She is 11 y.o., for goodness sakes, give her a f'n break. No wonder kid's "burnout" and whatever they were enjoying is no longer "fun" because they're being scrutinized night and day over every iota of their frickin lives!! Sheeeeesh!!!!

And people wonder why young girls become so weight conscious and bulemic or whatever and end up like Karen Carpenter, thin as a rail and ... F'n, DEAD!!!

edit/edit: BUT, personally, I hope she goes on to crush the hell out of every F'n Stone on the planet (if that's HER desire) ... (and is having the MOST fun = the winner, ala Alex Lowe "Whoever is having the most fun wins!")!

klk

Trad climber

cali

Oct 31, 2012 - 12:15am PT

rad. that is so kuehl.

ewe old phuckers better prey she doesnt take up "trad" climbing.

for a start, lucille would become a 5.6 chimney. supercrack would be an easy layback.

she's still at an age where she learns languages overnight. how long would it take her to learn how to place a hex? it's not brain science.

alpinism is another question. experience counts there because you build up a local vocabulary of conditions.

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Oct 31, 2012 - 01:24am PT

in the latest Real Rock Film Tour there was a video of Sharma and Ondra working a Sharma project in Spain... I thought for sure I wouldn't like it at all, not that I have anything against endless scenes of repeated grunting-while-hucking-for-holds-on-overhanging-faces activities that I couldn't ever touch...

the main point of the video, besides showing the protagonists in a golden light (Chris was the "old man" in this one!) was that they didn't succeed, it was a whole video in which they failed.

that is so much more genuine that I actually fell for it...

We all try to do things that are too hard for us to do, at least in climbing. It is a great activity that way, it is unique. There is no way I can participate in the World Series or the Super Bowl or the World Cup, but I can attempt Midnight Lightning and even get cheered on by our "sport's" superstars (as had been reported in a TR elsewhere on this site by someone).

Yosemite is open, it is the Super Bowl and we can go there and play the game at any level... or challenge ourselves to. And at every level there is accomplishment and satisfaction and achievement.

While we complain as a group about the popularity of climbing (at least us old crustys) we somehow loss sight of the fact that we have an intensely personal affinity to going out and climbing. Who cares who else is doing it... I'm doing it

Hudon and Croft and Donini and many others (Freddy, you're up there too!) are inspirational to me, hopefully to others much younger than me, because they get out there and climb at a high level, still, and they still have an ocean of enthusiasm for it... they're obviously having fun, and perhaps getting something more meaningful out of it too.

And the young climbers are also inspirational, and amazing, because they represent climbing and are actually taking it somewhere, and they do it as a part of the historical progression, giving their own twist on it, bringing their innovations and their fresh look.

I remember the first time I saw Yosemite Valley, the March morning I woke up after the late night drive in. I don't see the Valley like that, exactly, anymore, but I know there are those who do, and I'm excited for them.

Ashira is legitimately doing hard routes and deserves the recognition. Who knows or even who cares what she'll do with it, I hope she's having at least as much fun as I am.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 31, 2012 - 01:26am PT

how long would it take her to learn how to place a hex? it's not brain science.

And she's Japanese - have you SEEN their arcade games?! That sh#t be intricate.

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Oct 31, 2012 - 01:35am PT

yikes, I was the only one who mentioned "alpine" and got slapped down by Gadd for it...
hopefully I wasn't so incoherent to have been interpreted as opining alpine is the epitome of climbing!

rather it is demonstrably different than sport climbing, I believe Alex Lowe was also accomplished in that, but the indifference of objective hazards to one's hardest red-point ability was tragic.

Certainly on the other side of the frontier I was talking about...

nick d

Trad climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 04:05am PT

The only thing that creeps me out about this is the "already trained under several talented coaches" bit. Like in gymnastics where they make the kids starve themselves to put off the onset of puberty so they can stay competetive?

Or doing hormones or other drugs for the same purpose? Adults should not be channeling their goals into little kids, just let them do what they want, what is fun for them. Think about all those creepy gymnastics coaches you see at the bigtime meets. Do you want your kid mentally dominated by people like that?

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 31, 2012 - 11:20am PT

^^^^

Having a coach != taking steroids and starving yourself.

Geez louis, stop projecting. Way to cast judgement before ever meeting her, or her parents.

CalicoJack

climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 01:03pm PT

Routes just are. Difficulty is an individual issue, stemming from the confluence of the climber's characteristics with those of the route. Our numbers are imperfect assemblages of individually assessed difficulties from each climber's internally relative scale, which of course is tempered to some degree by interactions with the 'consensus'. How can we truly know what the difficulties are for any given individual, short of intensively scrutinizing their morphometrics, psychological state, etc. and considering these factors in terms of each section of each route they attempt? And even then...

Every meeting of route and climber is so complex, but the outcome is pretty binary - climbed or not. Ashima has climbed some amazing routes, and that is amazing!

Much respect & best wishes to her,

Andy

AKDOG

Mountain climber

Anchorage, AK

Oct 31, 2012 - 01:44pm PT

One can definitely discuss the merits of young children doing rigorous training programs. As a physical therapist, I unfortunately see kids all the time with overuse injuries or traumatic injuries for sports, where I live the big sports for kids seem to be skiing, hockey and soccer. I am so out of it I didn’t even know kids now need personal climbing coaches, but I guess like tennis, gymnastics, skiing, etc., you have to start young if you want to make a splash. I know for running it is very controversial in how much young kids should train. Runner’s peak later in life and over training can lead to injuries that just won’t go away. Most parents want their kids to be active, childhood obesity is a growing problem, but no parent wants their kids to get injured. Participation in sports provides a great opportunity for young people. But, if the demands and expectations exceed the maturation and readiness of the child, the positive aspects of participation can be negated.
The whole issue of parents and other adult involvement is another story altogether.

Climbing has evolved, when I was young no coaches or parent, climbing had a little antisocial tint to the game.

Hope she keeps ripping it up

Baggins

Boulder climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 01:49pm PT

Every meeting of route and climber is so complex, but the outcome is pretty binary - climbed or not. Ashima has climbed some amazing routes, and that is amazing!

Well said!

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:02pm PT

Not putting Honnold down one bit, he's one of my favorite climbers to be in awe of, but Ashima boulders harder than him. Lol.

Ashima does have some really good coaching.... But she's genetically gifted.

Do any of you tossers judging her by her "coaching, probably on hormone enhancer" know who her parents are?

They make way more money than you guys.
They're way more acrobatic than you guys.
They're way more positive than you guys.
They support her daughter %100 in what she wants to do.

Holy crap, an 11 year old who WANTS to CLIMB hard?

PSP also PP

Trad climber

Berkeley

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:27pm PT

I think it is great that she is 11 yrs old and is climbing hard stuff. But it is only sport climbing with a bolt like every 5 feet . It is not very risky at all. And comparing it to gymnastics and coaching is not appropriate gymnastics is way more difficult than sport climbing; And unfortunately requires alot of coaching. Now if she is high balling she is moving into a whole different mental/physical environment with real life consequences.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:28pm PT

heresy...complete heresy...

word on the street is they beat her if she doesn't put big numbers up!!! [kidding, btw]

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:30pm PT

"I think it is great that she is 11 yrs old and is climbing hard stuff. But it is only sport climbing with a bolt like every 5 feet . It is not very risky at all. And comparing it to gymnastics and coaching is not appropriate gymnastics is way more difficult than sport climbing; And unfortunately requires alot of coaching. Now if she is high balling she is moving into a whole different mental/physical environment with real life consequences. "

you are clearly not in touch...14c is kind of hard...sort of almost world class...

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:31pm PT

PSP, why the f*ck would you want an 11yo to risk her life?

All you guys have ego problems. Seriously. It's an 11 year old, little girl. She's making v12 cruxes and linking them with easier v9+ cruxes. And you're degrading her accomplishments because they aren't risky?

Okay, go do Southern Belle. It's kind of like a sport climb. Go be risky. Tosser.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:37pm PT

michaeld,

ondra's a punter...seriously, there's a bolt every 5 feet...ashima is a punter by associative property.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:42pm PT

These "climbers" trying to discredit an 11 year old of her V13 / 5.14c accomplishments have no idea. They probably think they're cool when projecting v4's or v5's in the gym.

Mike Friedrichs

Sport climber

City of Salt

Oct 31, 2012 - 02:53pm PT

To me, climbing is firstly about movement. Of course there are other things, like camaraderie, commitment, love of the outdoors, etc. Some people have a special gift for movement. Michael Jordan could seemingly change direction in mid air. The best climbers, at least in terms of the grading system, are those with the greatest kinesthetic intelligence. With climbing's ever increasing popularity, we're certainly going to tap deeper into the gene pool.

To suggest that someone who is so gifted to be able to do high-end sport climbing couldn't learn to do repetitive movement in cracks or slabs or ice is ridiculous. It's all ego. Everyone's project is someone's warmup. Climbing is a lot more fun when you can let go of that and just enjoy the climbing -- and the camaraderie.

BruceAnderson

Social climber

Los Angeles currently St. Antonin, France

Oct 31, 2012 - 03:22pm PT

"there's a bolt every 5 feet.." Go watch the vid of Ondra onsighting Mind Control at Oliana, dude's running it out.

PSP also PP

Trad climber

Berkeley

Oct 31, 2012 - 03:48pm PT

"the first poster says he wonders if she understands the life threatening consequences of the sport" she doesn't she is only 11 yrs old and it is sport climbing where you can take fall after fall with little or no consequences. It is the nature of sport climbing, climbing with very little risk; if you love it great have fun, personnally I find it a bit boring. BTW my first sentence was " I think it is great that she is 11 yrs old and she is sending hard stuff" . and if Ondra is running out sport climbing I say good for him it's about time someone did.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 03:59pm PT

Maybe you should try to see how hard you can push yourself on sport. But whatever you're into.

Running out sport on overhanging face isn't that cool. Just means you have a greater chance of plummeting into the less steep terrain below

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 31, 2012 - 04:55pm PT

It's pretty obvious who is just reading the first few sentances from the OP and replying.

The threads got enough pages now that people aren't browsing counter arguments, kind of funny. Like, right after refuting a point it will get brought up by someone who felt the need to vomit their thoughts out to the world.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 31, 2012 - 04:56pm PT

and if Ondra is running out sport climbing I say good for him it's about time someone did.

Just my .02, he isn't doing it to be bold, he's probably doing it because he can't stop.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 05:11pm PT

BUT BEING BOLD AND DANGEROUS IS WHAT CLIMBING IS ALL ABOUT.

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Oct 31, 2012 - 05:14pm PT

LOL Climbing is great. If you f*#k up and break your head running things out you are an idiot. If you solo something and succeed you are bad ass.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 05:16pm PT

If you solo anything harder than 5.5, you're a danger to EVERYONE AT THE CRAG. But if you run out 5.10 slab you're a bad ass.

I don't get this double standard sh#t still.

blahblah

Gym climber

Boulder

Oct 31, 2012 - 05:20pm PT

and if Ondra is running out sport climbing I say good for him it's about time someone did.

Just my .02, he isn't doing it to be bold, he's probably doing it because he can't stop.

Actually GD, you may not be quite right about that, Ondra has a history of running it out to be bold, or at least to comply with his notion of ethics.
Take a look at http://www.climbing.com/news/groundbreaking-515-gets-second-ascent/
describing his repeat of a hard sport route (Open Air):
"According to photographer Vojtech Vrzba, Ondra skipped an easily clipped bolt before the crux because, he said, “If I clip it, the friction on the rope takes about 10 kilos of weight down and it won’t be fair.” The result was sporting 50-foot falls from the crux moves."

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 05:40pm PT

That's not to be bold. That's for strategy.

LuckyPink

climber

the last bivy

Oct 31, 2012 - 05:51pm PT

meh..

I'm much more interested in the climber who keeps his own life full with family, career, spirit, contribution to others and still pulls hard trad or mountain in between it all. That climber has my admiration. That's who I want to hear about.

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:02pm PT

the friction on the rope takes about 10 kilos of weight down and it won’t be fair

Must be a heavy mofunkin rope. Get that kid a 9.2 and he'll be sending 5.17c

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:19pm PT

I think he uses 8.9.

Ezra Ellis

Trad climber

WA, & NC & Idaho

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:20pm PT

A better climber then me, and the rest of us, at least at sport climbing and bouldering.

Good for you Ashima!!!! WAY to go!!!!

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:21pm PT

^^^
What, with a bowling ball tied to it? My 9.7 only weighs about 3.5kg.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:24pm PT

I imagine you know what rope drag is.

Now imagine a 45m crux. It's not a strait wall. The terrain changes. That's the rope going a bunch of different ways.

Rope drag.

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:25pm PT

You guys are cute- fighting on the internet an all. RAAAWWRRR

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:27pm PT

I think elcap thinks rope drag is the weight of the rope from the belayer to the climber only. LOL

RyanD

climber

Squamish

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:28pm PT

I like the video with the coaches, it seems to be all about fun & not just winning.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Oct 31, 2012 - 06:55pm PT

OH BABY WHEN YOU TALK LIKE THAAAAAT

YOU MAAAAKE A WOMAN GO MAAAD

SO BE WISE
AND KEEP ON

REEEDING THE SIGNS OF MY BODYYYYYYYYYY

(^^^^ that sh#t is 8C ass-jiggling, and God damnit, if it makes her happy, I APPRECIATE IT. YOU HEAR ME SHAK-BABY, DON'T STOP CUZ THE HATERZZ)

Elcapinyoazz

Social climber

Joshua Tree

Oct 31, 2012 - 07:19pm PT

Shreiking stickboy skips clip, claiming that clipping it will make the route not fair.

Now my czechglish isn't exactly dialed, but when someone claims it wouldn't be "fair" to clip that bolt, I assume he means it would make the route easier, which implies it is taking weight off. There are really only two ways that making a clip instead of skipping it will physically make the climbing easier...either by adding drag that helps to counter a swing, or by taking weight off.

If you clip above your waist, you're essentially getting a winch-up by the weight of the rope (after accounting for the reduction in rope weight by the drag through the pro), thereby taking weight off. This is what I assume our 116lb wailing like a harpooned racoon protagonist Ondra is talking about whe he says "fair". Now I could be wrong, as again, I don't have my czechglish dictionary handy, he could mean it wouldn't be fair to have more rope drag by clipping that bolt because it would be harder, but that's not how I read it.

But please, Mikey, elighten us all on the concept of rope drag. I don't think I've ever heard of or experienced that.

SeaClimb

climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 08:18pm PT

No Elcap, what he meant was probably more likely the arresting the swing out...my guess anyway...

all in jim

climber

Oct 31, 2012 - 08:55pm PT

In one of the videos she climbs "See Spot Run" a 25-foot high V6 in Hueco.

I'd like to see some of her detractors on here do that.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Nov 1, 2012 - 02:42pm PT

No skill tosser on v15/16.

http://vimeo.com/17447512

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Nov 1, 2012 - 03:19pm PT

What this girl needs is a month with Lynn Hill on the road and exploring what' s possible.

She has been on the road for a pretty long time.

To be honest watching kids climb etc makes me a bit jealous. I wish I started climbing at a younger age so that my technique now was much better. Although climbing for me DOES come down to having fun, I do also consider it a true art. Like dancers, the climbers with good technique are awesome to watch. It feels great when you figure out a move and make something very strenuous into a natural body movement- just by changing position of your body. At times I feel like a terrible dancer, and it sucks. So watching these kids (or other climbers with better technique) is quite motivational. Have no idea why some people have the need to put them down for the type of climbing they enjoy.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Nov 1, 2012 - 03:42pm PT

I started climbing much younger, in a gym, and I don't think it would be 'better' - just different. Probably you wouldn't have become as rad an alpinist if you devoted more days to bouldering, sport climbing, campus board workouts, sh#t you have to do if you want to climb hard plastic (which, if you're a kid in a gym, seems like a really, really cool idea).

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Nov 1, 2012 - 04:17pm PT

Truth is that I am not an alpinist, and for sure far from rad. Mountaineer- more like it. Pulling hard and having better climbing technique would help me a lot though. But again this thread is about these amazing kids- my hat is off. Hope they enjoy it as much as they say they do!

blahblah

Gym climber

Boulder

Nov 1, 2012 - 04:51pm PT

To be honest watching kids climb etc makes me a bit jealous. I wish I started climbing at a younger age so that my technique now was much better. Although climbing for me DOES come down to having fun, I do also consider it a true art. Like dancers, the climbers with good technique are awesome to watch. It feels great when you figure out a move and make something very strenuous into a natural body movement- just by changing position of your body. At times I feel like a terrible dancer, and it sucks. So watching these kids (or other climbers with better technique) is quite motivational. Have no idea why some people have the need to put them down for the type of climbing they enjoy.

Why the little girl can climb much harder than you (and me) has little if anything to do with technique. Just strength-to-weight ratio, and tiny fingers for what to you are tiny holds (to her, they're jugs). The ability to hang on to small holds requires no special "technique."

I guess her technique is good, just like I imagine that Usain Bolt has at least pretty good sprinting technique. But if you think that's why he's faster than you are . . .

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Nov 1, 2012 - 05:43pm PT

She climbs BETTER than you.
No excuses. Get over it.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Nov 1, 2012 - 06:56pm PT

^^^^^

Beta male

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Nov 1, 2012 - 06:59pm PT

Facepalm.

jogill

climber

Colorado

Nov 1, 2012 - 08:51pm PT

Ashima has excellent technique to complement her strength to weight ratio.

Accept it, guys. She's the future of the sport.

Heed wise counsel from Kerwin: Alpinism is still available.

Or polish your rationalizations.

;>)

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Nov 1, 2012 - 09:04pm PT

Don't worry, John, on her 14th birthday she'll climb the Rupal Face and all us will have to cling to Aid Climbing as the "Real Climbing."

Epic E

Big Wall climber

Nov 1, 2012 - 11:25pm PT

Does anyone know if the climbs she red pointed and flashed where rap bolted?

Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber

San Francisco

Nov 2, 2012 - 12:52am PT

they were chiseled

icaro

Trad climber

Los Angeles, CA

Nov 2, 2012 - 02:40am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

RyanD

climber

Squamish

Nov 2, 2012 - 02:45am PT

Man, glad I clicked that vid. Thanks.

jogill

climber

Colorado

Nov 2, 2012 - 07:20pm PT

Help me solidify my thoughts. I realize that this will remain a remarkable feat regardless of my/our opinions-- it just crys out for deeper contemplation

Adult climbers have pondered this issue since the beginnings of rock climbing as a recreational sport (1880s):

"Let anyone of ordinary height take a friendly small boy of an active nature for practice on such a place [high stone wall at home . . .] and he will have the pleasure of seeing him easily climb up vertical places that are much more difficult, or probably impossible, for the taller man, even though he may be an expert mountaineer." - George Abraham in The Complete Mountaineer (1907)

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Nov 2, 2012 - 09:16pm PT

Staunch conservative movement versus free flowing aesthetics.

Yup, kids can teach old dogs new tricks.

ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber

bouldering

Nov 20, 2012 - 12:00am PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

Melissa

Gym climber

berkeley, ca

Nov 20, 2012 - 02:10am PT

^^ white guy named the video

bhilden

Trad climber

Mountain View, CA

Nov 20, 2012 - 02:19am PT

Question for all those who think Ashima has an advantage because of her strength to weight ratio, what do you have to say about her much shorter reach? Is that some sort of advantage, too:-)

ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber

bouldering

Nov 20, 2012 - 03:08am PT

If I was Obe I'd ignore established routes, and put her on a strict đΊet of FAs - be them shitty or 5 stars.

zxcvbnm

climber

Nov 20, 2012 - 09:47am PT

@bhilden Actually shorter arms gives the advantage of better leverage. But more reach would be more valuable than this.

bigwall shitter

Social climber

the wild west

Dec 10, 2012 - 03:04am PT

so does her coach get paid to give her beta or is he there on his own accord? Sh#t, I mean does he do any climbing of his own?

It's great that she's so talented, but ninja warrior princess? Why can't she just be climbing without all this bullsh#t?

snowhazed

Trad climber

Oaksterdam, CA

Dec 10, 2012 - 03:20am PT

jogill for the win- 1907!

Karl Baba

Trad climber

Yosemite, Ca

Dec 10, 2012 - 12:16pm PT

People point to Sharma, Caldwell, etc as young guns who didn't burn out and continued to climb harder as they grew into adult sized frames. But if you really tease that out a bit, they didn't progress as much as we might have expected...and I put a lot of that down to growing into an adult body.

Huh? What kind of "Expectations" did you have...? Flying through the air by flapping their wings? Sharma and Caldwell have done some of the hardest things EVER done, and Caldwell has probably freed more El Cap routes than anybody. Sharma has climbed 5.15+, there is not 5.16..sheesh

and there's folks saying "but she's not doing bold routes" Huh? She's 11. People would call the police if her folks were putting her on bold routes. Besides, that bouldering she's doing is off the ground and hard as crap, you hit the ground every time.

You know who one of the first kid phenomenas was? They used to call him "boy wonder." Ron Kauk, still throwing it down in middle age.

Watch her climb, it's not just strength to weight ratio, she's got skills.

It's threatening to us that an 11 year old can crank this hard, because we like to take some validation for our specialness from being a climber, and that seems silly when an 11 year old can crank the hardest routes (or that a monkey can climb 5.17 without a rope)

We should get over that because few can be #1 and even they are not #1 at everything.

Its wasn't long ago that nobody had flashed a 5.14. Things are changing quickly all the time.

She doesn't have to stick with the sport to have made her mark. We all have different paths. She's bad ass now, and I'll bet if she wants to be bad ass later, she will be

Peace

Karl

Karl Baba

Trad climber

Yosemite, Ca

Dec 10, 2012 - 01:17pm PT

Everybody doing the hardest grades of any aspect of this sport have genetic advantages.

and all climbing is dangerous. Some of the best trad climbers around like Largo and Lynne Hill have decked in the gym.

PEace

Karl

aspendougy

Trad climber

Los Angeles, CA

Dec 10, 2012 - 01:30pm PT

If you watch the top men in the Olympics doing the Roman Rings, their strength to weight ratio is amazing. My guess is that with a few months training and practice, they could do some very hard climbing moves. The skill set is not entirely the same, but a lot would carry over.

blahblah

Gym climber

Boulder

Dec 10, 2012 - 02:29pm PT

She doesn't have to stick with the sport to have made her mark. We all have different paths. She's bad ass now, and I'll bet if she wants to be bad ass later, she will be

As a point of language, "bad ass" doesn't mean merely being good at something, except perhaps by slipshod extension.
Can we just agree that she's very good at holding onto small holds? And that at least part of that is because she's small and smaller people are better at holding onto small holds than larger people? This isn't that complicated.

Karl Baba

Trad climber

Yosemite, Ca

Dec 10, 2012 - 02:50pm PT

Can we just agree that she's very good at holding onto small holds? And that at least part of that is because she's small and smaller people are better at holding onto small holds than larger people? This isn't that complicated.

Because it's demeaning. People used to say stuff like that about Beth before she freed the Nose and climbed 5.13 cracks. Placing gear is not rocket science. It takes a LOT more than crimping to climb 5.14+.

Yes she has an advantage. Everybody who climbs 5.14+ has an advantage. Everybody who wins an olympic gymnastic gold medal has an advantage as well but you still have to perfect the double twisting flips and such

Peace

Karl

bjj

climber

beyond the sun

Dec 10, 2012 - 03:07pm PT

"
The oblivious self-caricature in this statement is priceless. no wonder people dismiss this forum as a bunch of irrelevant , has-been blowhards. "

IMO, calling someone a "has been" implies that at one point, they were actually someone. There's less than 20 people in total on this forum who were ever actually someone who at some point accomplished anything anyone would care about.

The rest are what is known as a "never was", and the only ones with anything negative to say are in that group.

Anyone see Ament, Gill, Coz, Long, RickA (or imagine bachar were he still here) making such comments?

Of course not, and here is why:

In any sport, there is an inverse relationship between skill and ego. We are seeing the output of that formula right here, in real time.

Karl Baba

Trad climber

Yosemite, Ca

Dec 10, 2012 - 03:30pm PT

Anyone see Ament, Gill, Coz, Long, RickA (or imagine bachar were he still here) making such comments?

Of course not, and here is why:

In any sport, there is an inverse relationship between skill and ego. We are seeing the output of that formula right here, in real time.

Folks like Bachar and others had plenty of ego. That doesn't mean they had to put down the accomplishments of others.

I'd bet anything the lady would still be able to pull 5.14 when she is 20 if she sticks with it, the rest of the kids wonders who stuck with it seem to be able to

Peace

Karl

blahblah

Gym climber

Boulder

Dec 10, 2012 - 03:37pm PT

I'd bet anything the lady would still be able to pull 5.14 when she is 20 if she sticks with it, the rest of the kids wonders who stuck with it seem to be able to

How would you have any idea? Maybe the ones who "stuck with it" were the ones who could adapt well to adult climbing, and the "wonder kids" who couldn't tended to quit?
Lots of funny conjecture and projecting on this thread, that's for sure, no matter which side of the "debate" you're on.

michaeld

Sport climber

Sacramento

Dec 10, 2012 - 05:02pm PT

Well, i'm not a genius here, but judging by how small her parents are, she won't grow THAT MUCH. She'll still be strong. It's not like a 2 1/2 foot tall 7 year old pulling on 5.12d who hasn't hit the grow spurt to be 6'2 yet.

You old hater f*cks are tossers.

Karl Baba

Trad climber

Yosemite, Ca

Dec 10, 2012 - 06:27pm PT

Because I've been climbing for over 30 years and seen sh#t. It's not like we see kids climb 5.14 and then get weaker as they reach puberty and quit because of that. It's more like they either find other things to do in life or keep shredding it.

Kauk quit for years and years but came back stronger.

Of course the same goes of all of us. Some of us get fat or weak and some don't. The unusual thing is that we're ragging on this 11 year old kid who has done things (like onsight 5.14) that a few years ago hadn't been done in the history of climbing by ANYONE of any age or size

Peace

Karl

bvb

Social climber

flagstaff arizona

Dec 10, 2012 - 07:26pm PT

Jesus. I just scanned as much of this thread as I could stomach. C'mon people. Is this question serious? Really?!

jstan

climber

Dec 10, 2012 - 07:32pm PT

What Ashira does is her business. The only question she needs to ask is, "Did I enjoy what I did today?"

Everything else is noise.

SeaClimb

climber

Dec 10, 2012 - 10:55pm PT

blahblah,

Do you actually know any of these kids that can climb 5.13 or 5.14? I'm thinking you don't. They are very very skilled at much more than crimping small holds. Many of them have phenomenal slab climbing (true friction). A lot of them are excellent crack climbers (yes, offwidth as well).

Their dynoing capability is off the chart. They are highly versed in gymnastic climbing.

In short, they will pretty much crush you in any type of climbing.

They don't have the limitations of needing to work, they have summers off, most of them have parents that fund trips. They have coaches that know what they are doing and they have PASSION for climbing. You simply can not compete, not that you are. I only state this because your posts seem to have an underlying current of "Well, its really not that hard FOR HER".

ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber

extraordinaire

Mar 3, 2015 - 09:05pm PT

[Click to View YouTube Video]

healyje

Trad climber

Portland, Oregon

Mar 3, 2015 - 11:19pm PT

She and her father understand inverted footwork better than most...

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Mar 3, 2015 - 11:47pm PT

biotch that is the best damn climbing vid I've seen in years.

My arms and legs were twitching watching her working those moves. She has awesome desire.

Can't wait to see what some of these kids do down the road.

The current crop of mature once kiddie gym climbers are not doing too shabby in the alpine..plastic pullers like Honnold and Caldwell in Patagonia are blowing the socks off what has ever been done before.

all in jim

climber

Mar 4, 2015 - 07:36am PT

That girl has a vast knowledge of what it takes to climb hard.

Spiny Norman

Social climber

Boring, Oregon

Mar 4, 2015 - 01:43pm PT

It must suck to have a self-image so delicate that it cannot tolerate the fact of an 11 year old kid -- a girl, as it happens -- who climbs harder than you ever will.

Looking forward to her one-day ascent of the Dawn Wall at age 20… if not sooner.