From Mountain Project and Black Diamond: Ask Adam Ondra

A real question, then.

Climbing seems to attract a lot of bright, creative types, lots of STEM majors. Do you have a geeky interest that would surprise people? A star wars Lego collection? Add columns of numbers for fun? Argue metric versus imperial? Wait, scratch that last one.

And I still am not excited about a beanie.

Hi Adam,
What's your favorite hometown (and/or Czech Republic) climbing area and why?
-Marek

How often do you get tired of dealing with all the notoriety and just want to go climb and be left alone?

Dear Adam
As a young beginner climber, what are some essential skills or training techniques to learn in order to become a better climber down the road?

Hey Adam,

I'd love to see what you call a great basic training program that someone who works full time could follow to stay in 5.12 to 5.13- fitness.

Cheers!
Seth

BD wanted me to pass along thanks for everyone who's added questions so far (even Aleks).

Their Facebook Live session with Ondra will start tomorrow (10/11) at 10:30am MST, and you can tune in here: facebook.com/blackdiamondeq…

Still time to post more questions!

A couple of things.
First and foremost, thank you for the inspiration to us all.
I want to personally thank you for the improvements in my game. One was the best way to rest mid-route, which i picked up in watching your videos. Two was i heard you say once that you never let go/give up; you fall. This is great advice, for there are those times when pushing that we think we can't get through it, but by not letting go, the magic happens, and we send that project!
Questions:
Do you feel 5.16 is close.
Why if Dura Dura is harder than the the other 15.c's you have put up, why is it not 15.d?
As the grades climb into the, for lack of a better word, hard hard, does the difficulty grow exponentially or what? I have heard as we progress into the high 13's and 14's that there is larger and larger degrees of difficulty. Your thoughts?
Again, thank you.
And please do the Dawn Wall!!!

I am paraphrasing but you once remarked that a beginner climber with perfect technique would be able to climb v7. Ive been climbing for years but can't regularly cruise 7's. How can I improve technique to go along with satisfactory fitness to crush the other newbs in the gym. Thank you for your innermost crushing secrets.

Adam,
Given the prevalence of doping and PEDs in other sports, it seems likely that some level of steroid use exists in climbing as well. Have you ever considered that PEDs might inject their way into competition climbing too? Why are we not hearing about it? I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Old lady H wrote:A real question, then. Climbing seems to attract a lot of bright, creative types, lots of STEM majors. Do you have a geeky interest that would surprise people? A star wars Lego collection? Add columns of numbers for fun? Argue metric versus imperial? Wait, scratch that last one. And I still am not excited about a beanie.

Have you ever felt microaggression when climbing at the gym?

if you see a girl struggling in a problem or a route do you approach and give her beta or some advice?

Hey Adam!

I've a geographical quizz for you :)

I only started climbing last year in SPAIN, but it doesn't let go on me ever since! BERLIN where I live is a rock climber's flattest possible nightmare. But your home country is one of the nearest spots… so:
--- What's the best climbing place for a beginner in the CZECH REPUBLIC that YOU can promise me it won't kill me, but raise me? And I shall promise to send whatever project you assign me, in your honor ;)
(I meanwhile climb up to 6a lead)
Thanks
xx
Liana

PS: I know, I've a PETZL beanie on my profile pic… but would totally change it for a BD, if I get one – and wear it on the climbing quest in the Czech Rep ;)

Shannon Davis wrote: OK, two beanies for you? jkjk. ...We're doing beanies b/c we'll be choosing more questions than usual, up to 10 or so. But our usual "Ask a Badass" will be back soon with more BD swag. Sonnie Trotter will be next up. Stay tuned.

Hey Adam and BD!

I couldn't be more excited for you, Ondra to be in the states visiting and doing a Q & A session! My biggest question I have right now; will you be coming to visit Colorado!? We would love to have you visit, plus it's prime Fall conditions and I'm sure you could find some classics to tick off while your here (that you haven't flashed yet) : )

If you don't get a chance to visit, I just want to thank you for inspiring me and so many others, simply by being you. Each time you climb, pushing grades or not, you simply radiate passion and try-hard grit. You have such a fluid movement and beautiful technique, you seem to effortlessly dance up rock. Keep doing what youre doing, having fun, pushing limits, exploring beautiful places, and inspiring us mortals to push our limits : )

~XOXO

Howdy Adam,

What do you do when climbing (and all the stuff that goes along with it) starts to feel more like work in order to stay motivated?

Thanks,
Mason

Hello Adam,

If you drink milk, what %?

Thanks.

Ciao Adam, so che parli bene Italiano quando vedi una via nuova, quail sono le emozioni che senti, nel chiodarla? Grazie.