E106: Ben Bransby - Getting stronger in your 40s, ticking Stanage and making duct tape hold umbrellas
Jul 17, 2024
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Ben Bransby, British Climbing Legend, discusses challenging climbs, training in 40s, first ascents, climbing crags, and grade hunting. Stories include crimping after finger injuries and navigating climbing culture changes.
Ben Bransby evolved training methods for climbing success in different genres.
Bransby discussed the balance between calculated risks and spontaneous climbing decisions.
Facing fear and committing to climbs are essential for pushing personal limits.
Choosing each risky move in climbing involves confronting fear and making intentional decisions.
Soloing in climbing requires managing skills, fear, and safety in a delicate balance.
Deep dives
Ben Bransby's Impressive Climbing Legacy Highlighted in Podcast Discussion
Ben Bransby, a prominent UK climber with extensive experience in trad, sport, and bouldering, is interviewed on his recent challenging climbs. The podcast delves into his wide-ranging achievements, including hard trad ascents like the stern 8B first ascent in Wales, famous trad climbs such as Parthian Shot, and diverse climbing genres like big wall climbing. Despite his humility, the podcast emphasizes his remarkable climbing skills, discussing his ability to maintain high climbing standards as he ages. The conversation explores how Bransby's training and approach to climbing has evolved, offering insights into his recent performance improvements.
Reflections on Varied Climbing Styles and Adaptive Training Methods
Ben Bransby reflects on his experiences transitioning between trad climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering throughout his climbing career. The podcast touches on his roots in Yorkshire, exposure to different climbing styles, and the dynamic balance between climbing disciplines. Bransby shares his insights on the importance of adapting training methods, highlighting how personalized coaching and targeted training have contributed to his recent climbing achievements and growth.
Spontaneity and Calculated Risks in Climbing Decisions
The discussion delves into Bransby's approach to climbing decisions, contrasting spontaneous actions with calculated risks in challenging ascents like Carmen Picasso, an E9 climb on Gourple. Bransby's spontaneous attempt on the route, contrasting with more calculated strategies of fellow climbers, sheds light on diverse climbing mindsets and the interplay between fear, risk assessment, and climbing performance. The podcast underscores the intersection of skills, mindset, and personal approach in navigating high-level climbs and handling fear during ascents.
Navigating Fear and Commitment in Climbing Challenges
The podcast explores Bransby's relationship with fear and commitment in climbing, acknowledging the role of intuitiveness and rationality in facing challenges. Bransby shares insights on managing fear in high-risk scenarios, his adaptive response to fear during difficult climbs, and how overcoming fear contributes to his climbing progression. The conversation delves into the complexities of fear, courage, and pushing personal limits in climbing, emphasizing the blend of skill, mental fortitude, and emotional responses in navigating challenging climbs.
Impact of Decision Making in Climbing
In climbing, the significance of consciously choosing each move into danger is highlighted. Unlike activities such as motorbike racing where errors can swiftly lead to consequences, in climbing, individuals must actively decide to proceed into risky situations. This intentional decision-making process often involves facing fear and consciously committing to continue despite challenges, resulting in climbers being more tuned in to listening to their instincts of when to back off.
Balancing Safety and Skills in Soloing Adventures
Soloing adventures, particularly in climbing, present unique challenges where individuals must manage their skills and safety. The podcast discusses personal experiences of soloing and the delicate balance between pushing oneself to improve, facing fear, and maintaining a sense of caution. The narrative touches upon the thrill of soloing, the dangers of complacency as one becomes adept at it, and the importance of maintaining respect for the risks involved.
Navigating Career and Climbing Aspirations
The conversation delves into the evolving dynamics of climbers transitioning into professional or influencer roles in the age of social media. The challenges of balancing personal climbing motivations with external expectations, such as sponsorships, media portrayal, and audience engagement, are explored. Additionally, the podcast reflects on the impact of social platforms on climbers' lives, from juggling extrinsic motivators to managing jealousy, expectation, and finding fulfillment amidst evolving climbing landscapes.
Evolution of Social Media and Climbing Culture
With the proliferation of social media in the climbing community, there's a shift towards climbers personally sharing their journeys and achievements online. This contrasts with traditional climbing media where climbers were approached by editors for their stories. The discussion delves into the idea that personal social media posts may sometimes feel like showing off, impacting how climbers engage with sharing their climbs and stories.
Impact of Beta Videos on Climbing Experience
The availability of beta videos has revolutionized the way climbers approach new routes, providing detailed insights and shortcuts to problem-solving. This ease of access to beta information is changing the dynamics of climbing, potentially limiting the creativity and exploration involved in deciphering climbs organically. The conversation highlights the challenge of maintaining a balance between utilizing beta resources and preserving the thrill of solving climbing puzzles independently.
Legend of British Climbing Ben Bransby joins us on the pod this week! Ben is definitely not someone to blow his own trumpet but he has climbed very hard in trad, sport in boulder over the years. He's also put up some incredible first ascents, gone on winter expeditions and even competed! He's done it all so we thought we'd ramble on about some of it for a bit. Make sure you listen to the end for the great stories :).
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