Dr_Flash_Amazing Posted January 16, 2003 Posted January 16, 2003 Wow, Dru, that sure is V-ha-ha-hilarious! Quote
Dru Posted January 16, 2003 Author Posted January 16, 2003 As many of you may know, bouldering uses a numerical system to rank the difficulty of each problem. The easiest problem is a V0 and the most difficult problem is a V15. The "V" system was developed by John Sherman and some of his friends. The "V" actually stands for "Verm" (John Sherman's nickname). But what exactly is a V0 and how does it differ from a V1. Well, in Climbing magazine from March 15, 1999, John Sherman explains what each "V" is: V0: A problem you wouldn't admit to doing no matter how cool it was. V1: A problem you would admit to doing, if it had loose holds, a death landing, and your partner backed off it. V2: A problem, if cool enough, that you would recommend to others to prove you're not a ratings snob. V3: A problem you ruthlessly wire and incorporate into your warm-up routine, in the hopes that visiting partners will struggle on it. V4: A problem that might give you trouble, but, "Hey, anything below V5 is so easy I can't tell the difference". V5: A problem, if you were to live in Boulder, Colorado, that you might actually flash. V6: A problem, if you were to live in Boulder, Colorado, that you would expect your girlfriend to flash. V7: A problem you fell on repeatedly, but, really, you could have flashed it. V8: A problem you religiously avoid, because you're "saving it for the flash". V9: A problem you have no chance at flashing. V10: A problem you knew you could have done, even though your spotter took 30 pounds off for you, so you counted it anyway. V11: A problem, if flashed, that you might get free shoes for, but only if you fax the mags this month. V12: A problem you would do if only your fingers were a bit smaller, your reach a bit longer, your spotter more attentive, the weather more amenable, your shoes not blown out, your elbow no so sore from training, the sun not in your eyes, and you didn't eat the funky take-out Chinese the night before. V13: A problem commensurate with your well-published abilities, that you deserve some credit for, even though you didn't do it, because as the mags reported, "It was too humid". V14: A problem only Fred Nicole could do, after you gave him the Beta. Well now you know what the "V" system actually means. So if you want to be able to climb at least V12, forward this e-mail to 0 of your friends. (As if anyone requiring spotters for a problem way out of their ability would have friends anyway). If your goal is to be able to climb between V7-V11, forward this e-mail to 1 friend. (You may know one other person who has as an ego as big as yours. So send him this e-mail and go spend weeks working on a problem you may never send). If your goal is to be able to climb between V4-V6, forward this e-mail to 2-5 friends. (Hey when you are hanging around V4-V6, you are bound to meet people). If your goal is to be able to climb between V1-V3, forward this e-mail to as many people as you want. (Climbing is fun, life is fun, enjoy it. With this attitude, there is no limit on how many people you will be able to send this e-mail to). Quote
sk Posted January 16, 2003 Posted January 16, 2003 hey that doesn't cover the VB I almost sended at the gym a cupple of weeks ago Quote
Dr_Flash_Amazing Posted January 16, 2003 Posted January 16, 2003 Ah, yes, of course. Because people who either climb hard or want to climb hard have huge egos and are all pricks. The amendment to Sherman's bit was obviously written by someone who has never actually spoken to anyone who boulders harder than V3. Lame. Quote
thelawgoddess Posted January 16, 2003 Posted January 16, 2003 cute. i like how that chain letter works. i'm not sending it to anybody!!! Quote
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