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An interview with SouthEastern climber, Luis Rodriguez:
Could you tell me something of you history, especially when and how
you discovered climbing...
Luis: I discovered climbing simply by getting off trail hiking around Mt. Yonah and Tallulah Gorge in Georgia. After a while of doing fourthclass scrambling and suedo rockclimbing with timberland boots, we finally got scared out of our wits 300 feet up Mt. Yonah without a rope and too scared to downclimb the last 300 feet. We survived, but lost our courage and that's when we bought a rope. We started experimenting with climbing, mostly bouldering and steep sportclimbing.
How has climbing in the Chatt area affected your bouldering (the people, the rock, the opportunities, etc)...
Well climbing has always been in Chattanooga, but it has always been so segregated between boulderers, sport, and trad climbers, in addition to the standard clicks you find yourself in. This made it difficult for climbers to find partners, especially super motivated ones. Now, there is no shortage of partners. On the other hand, we've all gotten pretty spoiled; with so much climbing so nearby we never seem to get out early anymore. When in Atlanta we used to rise with the sun just to get to the rock. And it's always a stuggle deciding where to go.
What do you think about the idea of climbers trying to be more
well-rounded. For example, taking up different aspects of climbing, or pursuing other interests along with climbing. Also, what, outside of
climbing, stimulates your mind and keeps you growing as a person and climber...
Good one, totally on the dot. You have to ask yourself these questions and fight the urge of making climbing the only outlet of your life. Of course, you should explore other forms of climbing. I chose to focus on bouldering and sportclimbing, but i also get these urges to do a trad line here and there, as well as multipitch climbs. I like the exposure, and it varies the experience. Bouldering is like a quick buzz, routes is a longer buzz. I like both just the same, but I find routes ask more of me. It's more overall mental composure and super fitness, as oppose to the fast twitch action bouldering is. It's all climbing, you know? Movement over stone. But, more so out of the climbing context, you should explore what other special gifts you have. You might find that after the climbing experience you have the ability to put everything in perspective and tackle other endeavors with the same tenacity. What I mean is you should never stop
exploring how dynamic you can be in all other things, be it mountain biking, wakeboarding, running, or your personal education and your career. We are all multi dimentional, it's all about exploring what is within you. Don't fool yourself to believe that where you are at today is going to fulfill you for the rest of your life, be genuine with yourself and leave yourself open to new things. I'm a climber for life, but the value I have for it is only because I mix it up with other personal development.
What is the most common mistake that you see young climbers making these days?? (not necessarily specifically in their technique) ....
It's all about technique. Too many climbers are in too much of a hurry to be strong, instead of being fluid, graceful, and styley. In other words, they are sacrificing finesse for ego. Be genuine with yourself about your shortcomings (and it's usually not power shortage) and
focus on improving them. "Focus" being the operative word, if you committ to developing your abilities, take stock of where you are at, design a plan of development, and then execute. It's that simple, in every aspect of your life. But, you should be honest with yourself about how long it's going to take and pace yourself accordingly. If you simply go full boar ahead, without finesse, you will hurt yourself! I promise.
What are your future plans for the gym??
Good question. I'm currently revising my original business plan. We had dreams of making a more complete facility, meaning more room and more bouldering areas. But of course, we need more space, therefore I have to account for that in my plan. We'll see, we're getting restless again!
What do you feel are your greatest climbing accomplishments? (not
necessarily your hardest sends/redpoints)...
Getting some frightened kid to the top of a problem on his own, especially after a few hours of motivational spiel. It's really cool to show someone that it's not as difficult as they're making it seem and giving them the confidence to do it. Climbing "Kill or Be Killed" [.13d ]at Fosters gave me a buzz, simply because it's such a big cave and I wanted to do it for so long. But, I've had so many great experiences simply topping out a cliff or boulder problem and getting that sensation, you know, like wow the worlds a sweet place!
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