How to Climb 7a. A chatty one about how to work towards 7a sport climbing!

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Not an exhaustive video of every last thing but a bit of an overview of it, from my own experience :)
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[@JBMountainSkills]

Want to buy me a coffee or the boy a dog treat?! www.buymeacoffee.com/jbmountain

[@BrainSpecialist]

I climbed my first 7a when I had only just sent one 6c and my onsight grade was 6a+. It took six days of work (maybe nine or ten including rest days?) where all I did was work the route but I finally got it! I think the biggest barrier to people increasing their max redpoint grade in sport is that they're unwilling to have multi-day projects, it's either onsight or climb in a day. I think a lot of it comes down to how most climbers, particularly in the UK, don't live within easy travel distance of a sport crag and go out for a day raid or a trip for a few days with friends. In my experience they're typically of mixed abilities, generally in the mindset of 'let's try a bunch of stuff and see how we get on'. It's quite a big ask, both for your belayer and also yourself frankly, to drive three or four hours and then just work one single route, that honestly you might not get even with a few days to hand! It does pay off but it does also require actual work, definitely around day 3 when I was hadn't even made it past the second bolt clean (that was the crux), I began wondering if it was the best use of my time! Particularly since I was taking 1 rest day every 3 days and then 2 rest days before the final send day, and all I was climbing was my warm-up route and then hopping on the project. Getting it though was such a massive achievement for me and made me a stronger and better climber. My focus now is on improving my onsight grade but I'm looking forward to being in a position again where I can dedicate time to the right project and push my grade again!

[@aidankuhlmann3714]

^This anybody who can onsight 6a/+ can climb 7a! It's just time, patience and style of route from there!

[@JBMountainSkills]

It's so much harder when you don't live near rock and have to balance climbing with work, family etc! I think there's a big onsight ethic in the UK, which is cool, but it does hold people back sometimes. Going on long trips to countries with nice weather definitely helps loads....

[@mortenstabenau9177]

Honestly, I love the drone shots at the beginning of your videos! They make me a little jealous of the beautiful place that you live in.

[@JBMountainSkills]

Hey, glad you like them!

[@gl6253]

Your videos made it to Texas! Thanks for telling us what 7A was in our grade scale. Love your videos!

[@JBMountainSkills]

Very kind :)

[@pauljohnson4833]

Just starting to push the 6c/7a envelope indoors for the first time, after close to 40 years of climbing on and off. Never say never 😁

[@JBMountainSkills]

Absolutely! I was reading about some fella on Rock and Ice got his first 8b+ at 60 ;)

[@damiensmith8351]

Good luck! Never too late to improve. And its always inspiring to hear about people who never stop trying!

[@scottearnest182]

I'm watching from the states! I really appreciate all of your videos and your passion for the sport.

[@JBMountainSkills]

Glad you like them!

[@mohrli8559]

really like the main message of your vid - climb more and the rest will follow. no training can replace being a lot out there on the rock or even in the gym, trying a lot of differnent styles and getting used to not always suceed on every route, especially on your limit. doing a lot of different climbing in- and outside with good company really helped me overcome the fear of falling and failing, and pushed my limits from 6a to 6c last year, so your video really confirms my point of view and motivates me to keep going on for reaching the next grade. really liked this video! greets from austria, m.

[@JBMountainSkills]

Hey! Glad you liked it. Well done on your progress so far!!!

[@BjoernTempl]

it's super nice to listen to your videos man. great tipps.. keep up the good work.

[@Bhamlunker]

I’m knocking on 5.11d outdoors (I’m in the US) but on top rope not lead which I’m told doesn’t count ha 😬🤷🏻‍♂️- but I’m starting indoor lead training next week and will start outdoor lead so I’ll see how I go - I don’t feel scared (yet) but it’s new still to me - I just like climbing absolutely as hard and as focused as I can so whatever grade that leads me to…all gooood - thanks for the chats!

[@Bhamlunker]

I also don’t live near a crag - 1.5 hr drive 😢😢😢

[@JBMountainSkills]

Glad you liked it!

[@Redtopoutdoors]

Really helpful! Cheers JB!

[@JBMountainSkills]

Glad you liked it 😊

[@nathanjames3536]

Very very jelous of the 3 months in spain 🙈 Going to try get there next winter but will only be a few weeks Top video and advice Nathan

[@robertstock3235]

Cheers from America! Love the vids

[@JBMountainSkills]

Hey from the UK!

[@Pepperman86]

What? Edward Scissor Hands is a classic mate! Thanks for sharing your thoughts I am getting back on track of that 7A grade but usually when I’m out I don’t want it that much. Gotta run from comfort zone climbing

[@JBMountainSkills]

Haha! Good luck getting 7a :)

[@JoeKunsch]

i gotta get to 6a outdoors first! lol

[@JBMountainSkills]

No drama, happy crushing!

[@courtclimbs]

See you reppin the Huel shirt, my husband loves that stuff haha

[@JBMountainSkills]

Don't know what I'd do without it!!!

[@walkswithdog9808]

Was seeing a very gradual accumulation of 7a ticks (indoor lead, autobelay & bouldering) in 2019 / 2020 pre-lockdown, culminating in a 7a+ March 2020. Now that route is still up and I have yet to get past the mid-way point on it! Seems climbing lots is important! I've not gained any weight over the period or any injuries. Stamina and finger strength have fallen.

[@JBMountainSkills]

The good thing is that climbing fitness tends to come back quite quick with a bit of mileage. Best of luck with that route!

[@walkswithdog9808]

@@JBMountainSkills Thanks. I did end up repeating it a few times and ticking two more at that grade. Then another 3 weeks shut and open tomorrow. Looking forward to getting back on the wall

[@veselinpandov4006]

How to Climb 7a - Aid it !

[@jeremyballard7461]

Nice one. Do you set yourself a goal for your Spanish trip or see how things develop?

[@JBMountainSkills]

I do set goals, it's quite important to me. Normally that's a particular grade, but also a few particular routes too.

[@evanburgeson]

Love the video, PS: My girlfriend loves your butterfly chair! haha

[@JBMountainSkills]

Glad you like the vid and happy to hear she likes the chair!!

[@peteradamson4260]

hey, it would be good to see a shoe guide, especially shoes for UK trad and trad in general, there's not a tonne of info out there on the topic

[@JBMountainSkills]

I'll give it some thought :)

[@MF-CLIMB]

Just found this. Super helpful. Did you get to 8b yet?

[@JBMountainSkills]

8a+ this winter gone... hopefully 8b this winter coming 🤞

[@MF-CLIMB]

@@JBMountainSkills oooof 💪🏼 superb. Going sport climbing (outdoors) for the first time next week! Road to 7a here I come.

[@beardedwarrior7023]

Regards playing to your strengths, do they have 7a fruit cake? I reckon I could smash a 7a fruit cake fair easy, especially accompanied by a rich dark coffee, anything else might be asking a bit much...

[@JBMountainSkills]

I'd be pro if it was Belgian Buns!

[@beardedwarrior7023]

@@JBMountainSkills The pinnacle being the cherry on top 👌🏻

[@mandyrey7122]

you remind me of russel brand