Why We Climb Quotes

“I know people who function really well under pressure. If they know it’s their last shot, they give it everything. I need to be relaxed but confident. If I don’t believe I can do a move, I won’t give it everything. Visualizing myself as really strong and completing the sequence helps me relax and allows my body to execute the moves.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“This taught me a lot. I needed to stay relaxed, even when I felt nervous. I had to control my emotions. To keep the horse calm, I had to calm my body and slow my breath.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“Then there’s the challenge. If I only climb easy routes, I get bored. Besides I usually find the harder routes more impressive. For example, at Flatanger I’ve been working on a 15d (9c) line for some time. It’s become my lifetime goal.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“But on the second try, I would relax, because I felt I’d already done my serious effort. I would say, “So now let’s just have fun.” You have to find a way to convince yourself not to take the process so seriously.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“Regardless of how strong you are, the more relaxed and happy you are, the better your results will be.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“But when I think of the hardest climbs I’ve done, in virtually every case what I remember is feeling relaxed, not really trying too hard, feeling like I was flowing.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“Step one, look at the problem. Think. Relax.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“The specific lines I’ve climbed are interchangeable, but learning to climb with the support of loved ones helped me develop from a shy girl into an independent confident adulta. Deep down, that’s really what climbing has given me.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“After a few hours everyone else wanted to go home but, I said, in my 3-year-old voice, “No. I want to stay and watch the mountains.” And I did. They left, and I walked home alone. Even at that early age, I had a deep affinity for mountains and a very strong independent nature.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“When I was up there alone working the route, I was wondering if I was crazy. So when other people came and saw the potential and were inspired by it as well, it helped me know it was worthwhile.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers

“Diversity is climbing’s greatest strength. There’s no way to get bored! Each game is so difficult, most people spend their lives trying to master just one. The beauty and variety of the various playing fields beckon from across the globe.”
― Chris Noble, Why We Climb: The World's Most Inspiring Climbers