Oldering Volume 2
Added 2025-06-15 21:22:20 +0000 UTCIt’s been just over a year since I started bouldering so I thought I’d share another little highlight reel. Yes it is self indulgent but if we can’t indulge ourselves on the Patreon where can we indulge! ‘They’ won’t let us talk about bouldering anywhere else…
For those who don’t know the rules you have a starting hold marked by tape and an end point also marked by tape. You have set holds that you can use to climb a route and in the gyms I use this is mostly marked by the colours of the holds (all black, all red, etc.). You finish the route by touching both hands to the final hold (in a controlled fashion). In some rare cases there are routes where you are only allowed to use your arms (no feet).
Each route is given a difficulty grade, and in most of the world this follows a V1-10+ grading but in Japan they go from 10Q-1Q with lower being harder and then confusingly switch into 1D-3D which are essentially ‘black belt’ levels. The difficulty is marked by the tape colour/route grade not the colour of the holds.
After a year I’m at 2Q now and have no idea how that translates into V grades but probably V4-5? I think bouldering and climbing in general is a great sport because you can take things at your own pace, go with your family, and there is a clear sense of challenge and progression.
It certainly gives me a welcome break from rumination. And for what it’s worth I see lots of people young and old in the gyms doing amazing things and/or just getting started. It really is a fun workout/activity so I think it can receive a coveted DTG endorsement, so maybe add it to your stack alongside whisky drinking and cooking.
Will update on progress in another year! 🫡
Comments
This keeps autoplaying after the decodings and I vibe for a while before I realize its the bouldering video haha
Scott Sheppard
2025-07-26 13:37:12 +0000 UTCMeet Chris - debunker of grifters by day, crusher of boulders by night!
Joanna Go
2025-06-27 19:09:23 +0000 UTCwow! I’ve only gone bouldering a few times but it’s enough to appreciate how hard what you’re doing is and to see a lot of progress.
Leslie
2025-06-23 17:28:12 +0000 UTCWhen you all start getting daily bouldering videos, don’t come crying to me
Professor Matt
2025-06-21 23:03:48 +0000 UTCStop commenting and liking this post, you’re only going to encourage him
Professor Matt
2025-06-21 23:03:16 +0000 UTCLove the update and any bouldering content in general, seems like you've made a lot of progress in a short amount of time! I'm going to Japan in July, and while B-Pump in Ogikubo and Akhiabara to get properly sandbagged is on the agenda, a couple full length bonus episodes on gyms in Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto would be just what I need to impress my fellow travellers with in-depth knowledge of the local bouldering scene. Any bouldering gurus out there to justify a cross over? A deep dive on the Church of Dynology, perhaps? Or a closer look at pseudoscientific practises on the IFSC stage like kinesiology tape and cupping? AG1?
erikperik
2025-06-21 10:11:06 +0000 UTCNot really! I’m very content as is
Christopher Kavanagh
2025-06-20 13:31:22 +0000 UTCNow that you have transitioned from guru critic to guru fitness influencer, we look forward to purchasing your full DTG supplement stack. I will certainly purchase the Alpha Brain Chris Kavanagh climbing shoes and test boost starter pack, subscribed for 10% off with promotion code DTG
Kurt S
2025-06-20 01:26:48 +0000 UTCMore, please
Karen Cavalli
2025-06-18 22:38:45 +0000 UTCBouldering is very fun!
KBDaxio
2025-06-18 14:18:38 +0000 UTCVery cool! Any plans to take it outdoors?
Ben Mac
2025-06-17 18:58:42 +0000 UTCPretty, pretty, pretty good.
Kyle Dun
2025-06-17 05:10:07 +0000 UTCWell done! It’s an activity that looks addictive, but in a good way 😃
Nancy Hale
2025-06-17 04:03:57 +0000 UTCThese mats are super soft but I do normally just not when tired ;)
Christopher Kavanagh
2025-06-17 00:48:34 +0000 UTCYES Linda ! I thought I was the only one😂
Lillie
2025-06-16 22:58:28 +0000 UTCI hope the DTG TEAM is going to put the latest Peterson/Harris sparring on the grill soon... there was a lot there to chew on ( and spit out)...kinda intellectual bouldering ( or pseudo IB)... it was tough going..worth some decoding by the pros. Go get 'em! Save the pelts!
Frances goulart
2025-06-16 20:18:53 +0000 UTCI need to give this a go, there’s a place in Belfast on Boucher that’s meant to be good.
Damian McCarron
2025-06-16 18:49:32 +0000 UTCThe olderer in me wants you to start down-climbing. :)
Jesse Hodges
2025-06-16 15:10:46 +0000 UTCI've never seen this! It doesn't look fun to me, but it's very interesting to watch actually. Indulge away!
Sam D.
2025-06-16 13:45:37 +0000 UTCYes!!!
Linda Sears
2025-06-16 12:29:35 +0000 UTCDoes anyone else’s hands and feet start perspiring watching this? I’m looking forward to where you go next. From my perspective you’re already at the tippy top.
Linda Sears
2025-06-16 12:27:20 +0000 UTCNice Phil… slab doesn’t translate that well to video I find as you have to feel the (lack of) hold to understand why the person is having such a hard time but plenty of fails!
Christopher Kavanagh
2025-06-16 11:27:48 +0000 UTCOldering is right
Sam Mountjoy
2025-06-16 11:22:07 +0000 UTCNeeds more slab! Also, needs more fails! :) Good job though! I think we're at a similar level, even though I've been doing it more than twice as long..
Gustaf Pihl
2025-06-16 10:12:39 +0000 UTCCool. We call it wall climbing here. I'm also more comfortable with feet on the ground and have spent a couple decades running competitively ( half marathons, marathons, relays, biathlons) but I am envious of your upper body strength! Inspiring!
Frances goulart
2025-06-16 09:06:33 +0000 UTCWhy do I keep thinking about Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier….?
Paul Ditta
2025-06-16 09:05:09 +0000 UTCThat's really cool! Now I want to see Matt doing laps of the fetid hair and band-aid swamp that is the Fairymeade swimming pool.
Melinda
2025-06-16 07:00:35 +0000 UTCThe content king! Love your work man. Fellow boulderer too. Keep the sends coming🩵
Yokey Doke
2025-06-16 06:28:41 +0000 UTCThe route at around the 2:30 mark is genuinely impressive, fantastic :)
Ymirsdreams
2025-06-16 04:38:33 +0000 UTCNice! Also: Classic Japanese vending machines chillen in the back.
CHUSSTERR
2025-06-16 02:58:41 +0000 UTCNope, just occasional pull-ups.
Christopher Kavanagh
2025-06-16 02:33:15 +0000 UTCJust shorts I had that are now used exclusively for climbing.
Christopher Kavanagh
2025-06-16 02:32:44 +0000 UTCOldering > TRT
Joseph Sullivan
2025-06-16 02:27:32 +0000 UTCThe pants appear the same in each clip, are those climbing specific or just something comfy you already had?
zaphods_revenge
2025-06-16 01:32:13 +0000 UTCWow! Well done! Do you do a lot of grip strength exercises outside of this?
Kimberly Beer
2025-06-16 00:59:47 +0000 UTCOccupational hazard!
Christopher Kavanagh
2025-06-16 00:31:27 +0000 UTCVery cool! I’m inspired.
Dina Crosta
2025-06-15 23:38:31 +0000 UTCBut can you do this in a Spider-Man costume?
James Boney
2025-06-15 22:45:48 +0000 UTCThank you Chris, very cool! (But in all seriousness, nice work.)
Nicholas
2025-06-15 22:19:04 +0000 UTCDamn Chris, what a beast! Requesting the behind the scenes meltdown over someone obliviously walking across the shot
Max
2025-06-15 22:03:54 +0000 UTC“He can bench-press his entire family before you’ve even had your toast.” -Christopher Kavanagh, “Joe Rogan: Just an Average Joe?” (episode 33), Decoding the Gurus podcast
Lillie
2025-06-15 22:03:46 +0000 UTCKeep her lit, Honnold! Very impressive progress in 12 months. I tried it a few years ago but struggled big time.
Damien
2025-06-15 22:00:53 +0000 UTCCongratulations on your progress! It looks like a pretty complete sport, using lots of muscle groups. Unfortunately my fear of heights necessitates my pursuing sports that are close to the ground - but good on anyone who gets into this, it looks really fun!
Jenny
2025-06-15 21:50:32 +0000 UTCYep I think so! It scratches a similar itch.
Christopher Kavanagh
2025-06-15 21:41:14 +0000 UTCChris- I’m a late 30s academic about to become a dad. I have a history of BJJ and endurance sports but some injuries are adding up and time is precious. Could bouldering be a good fit here? Will I lose my make chi or gain massive gripz?
DJM
2025-06-15 21:39:33 +0000 UTCFunny how Mainstream Media is all about Iran and Tarrifs rather than Bouldering. What have they got to hide? Makes you think 🤔
Lord Brannigan-7
2025-06-15 21:33:38 +0000 UTCI’ve decided to give bouldering a go precisely because of all the updates you give here on Patreon and in the Supp. Material episodes. I genuinely love hearing your stories. 😄 I’ve already picked a local climbing gym, just need to pluck up the courage to go! Good luck on the second year of climbing shenanigans, Chris! 🧗
B.C.
2025-06-15 21:30:43 +0000 UTCVery cool. Looks like a nice gym. If anyone is on the Gold Coast, Queensland and into bouldering I’m always keen…
Jeff Brettery
2025-06-15 21:30:35 +0000 UTCIt is impressive that you've only been climbing a year and already have a podcast sponsorship
Bernt
2025-06-15 21:29:01 +0000 UTCI am actually quite impressed. Congratulations, Chris!
Joe
2025-06-15 21:28:50 +0000 UTCExcellent Chris!! It inspires me!!
Julie
2025-06-15 21:28:38 +0000 UTC
