10 years
That’s how many years I’ve attended the annual competition Quick on the Draw (QotD) at my local climbing gym, Adventure Rock. It’s a bit hard to believe really both in the sense that I can’t believe I’ve been climbing for over 10 years now and also that I can barely remember what any comp prior to 2009 was like. Over time the memory of the individual comps has sort of blurred together in my mind:
What was the theme of the comp in 2003? Ducks? That box of cereal?? Pirates??
What years did I compete? 2004? 2006? So few, yet I still can’t remember.
Didn’t Alex Johnson used to be a girl? Oh that’s right, there are 2 of them (and they’re both strong).
Remember when Rockman used to be a climber? Actually, yes…
Clearly my memory is only going to get worse as I get older and each January I’m inevitably on the sidelines recovering from my latest injury. With both of these things in mind, I’ve been trying something new the past few years at the comp. Instead of abusing my body catching 40+ lead falls I started taking pictures instead.
Anyone that has tried taking pictures under the natural lighting in most gyms knows the conditions are less than ideal for taking good pictures. Since I don’t really know anything about photography nor do I have any envy-inducing equipment, I’ve used the trial and error method to slowly improve the pictures I get at each subsequent comp. For instance, one thing I learned this year was the importance of charged batteries. Mine almost ran out mid-way through finals. I of course had no spares, and I was 30 ft. off the ground stuck in my photo perch until after the comp ended. Fortunately, I was able to pace myself and make it to the end of the show.
In my mind the pictures themselves never turn out spectacularly although I do think they’ve gotten better in the 3 years I’ve done them. Hopefully they will help the people in the photos remember what they were doing late one January day in a climbing gym in Wisconsin. I know I’ll remember. Or maybe I won’t. Who knows…
Below are a few shots from the comp with the rest residing on the ClimbingNarc.com Facebook page*. Check it out. Become a fan. Enjoy.
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As an aside, thanks to Sign-A-Rama Milwaukee for making the excellent sign-age. For those that don’t get the “Buick on the Draw” reference it goes back to the comp theme for this year. The Q on the comp flyer looks like a B to some which is where Buick comes in. It’s winter in Wisconsin so this is what entertains us. Deal with it.
*If Facebook isn’t your thing, you can see the pictures here as well.
Results from the comp can be downloaded here
Yeah, taking good pics of climbing indoors is something I’ve never been able to manage. I like your first image the best.
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Now I get Buick on the Draw… I was like… did they sponsor this or something? Anyways I still remain attached to IX being the best Q on the D due to the routes. I remember an amazing 5.10 which crowned the flat wall right of the overhang, the “skull wall” to myself and many of my friends.
But that said, with the addition of an additional boulder problem and one less route, let’s keep that up!
Can’t wait for some sweet volumes in the caves if that happens.
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They don’t call that wall the “5.10 wall” for nothing! So many good routes over the years. I’m still partial to the 5.12 set on the 5.10 wall with the small orange Franklin (?) crimps for QOTD 2000 or 2001. MEGA CLASSIC.
I’m not sure how I feel about the addition of 1 boulder problem considering one of the open boulders had 25 feet of climbing in it.
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Best picture of Kyle EVER.
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Awesome pics Brian
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Dude, your pics on facebook look awesome. I feel like I need to climb at this gym.
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Where do you find the results for the comp? I haven’t been able to see those anywhere…
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Not sure why the link was removed from the AR homepage, but you should be able to click here to see full results
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Ahh, there it is. Thanks for the link. I was looking all over for the results but to no avail…
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