Decoding The Gurus
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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
Scott Sheppard
This keeps autoplaying after the decodings and I vibe for a while before I realize its the bouldering video haha
Joanna Go
Meet Chris - debunker of grifters by day, crusher of boulders by night!
Leslie
wow! 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.
Professor Matt
When you all start getting daily bouldering videos, don’t come crying to me
Professor Matt
Stop commenting and liking this post, you’re only going to encourage him
erikperik
Love 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?
Christopher Kavanagh
Not really! I’m very content as is
Kurt S
Now 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
Karen Cavalli
More, please
KBDaxio
Bouldering is very fun!
Ben Mac
Very cool! Any plans to take it outdoors?
Kyle Dun
Pretty, pretty, pretty good.
Nancy Hale
Well done! It’s an activity that looks addictive, but in a good way 😃
Christopher Kavanagh
These mats are super soft but I do normally just not when tired ;)
Lillie
YES Linda ! I thought I was the only one😂
Frances goulart
I 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!
Damian McCarron
I need to give this a go, there’s a place in Belfast on Boucher that’s meant to be good.
Jesse Hodges
The olderer in me wants you to start down-climbing. :)
Sam D.
I've never seen this! It doesn't look fun to me, but it's very interesting to watch actually. Indulge away!
Linda Sears
Yes!!!
Linda Sears
Does 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.
Christopher Kavanagh
Nice 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!
Sam Mountjoy
Oldering is right
Gustaf Pihl
Needs 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..
Frances goulart
Cool. 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!
Paul Ditta
Why do I keep thinking about Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier….?
Melinda
That'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.
Yokey Doke
The content king! Love your work man. Fellow boulderer too. Keep the sends coming🩵
Ymirsdreams
The route at around the 2:30 mark is genuinely impressive, fantastic :)
CHUSSTERR
Nice! Also: Classic Japanese vending machines chillen in the back.
Christopher Kavanagh
Nope, just occasional pull-ups.
Christopher Kavanagh
Just shorts I had that are now used exclusively for climbing.
Joseph Sullivan
Oldering > TRT
zaphods_revenge
The pants appear the same in each clip, are those climbing specific or just something comfy you already had?
Kimberly Beer
Wow! Well done! Do you do a lot of grip strength exercises outside of this?
Christopher Kavanagh
Occupational hazard!
Dina Crosta
Very cool! I’m inspired.
James Boney
But can you do this in a Spider-Man costume?
Nicholas
Thank you Chris, very cool! (But in all seriousness, nice work.)
Max
Damn Chris, what a beast! Requesting the behind the scenes meltdown over someone obliviously walking across the shot
Lillie
“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
Damien
Keep her lit, Honnold! Very impressive progress in 12 months. I tried it a few years ago but struggled big time.
Jenny
Congratulations 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!
Christopher Kavanagh
Yep I think so! It scratches a similar itch.
DJM
Chris- 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?
Lord Brannigan-7
Funny how Mainstream Media is all about Iran and Tarrifs rather than Bouldering. What have they got to hide? Makes you think 🤔
B.C.
I’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! 🧗
Jeff Brettery
Very cool. Looks like a nice gym. If anyone is on the Gold Coast, Queensland and into bouldering I’m always keen…
Bernt
It is impressive that you've only been climbing a year and already have a podcast sponsorship
Joe
I am actually quite impressed. Congratulations, Chris!
Julie
Excellent Chris!! It inspires me!!
