Lynn Hill: Climbing comes down to cleverness and perseverance
I loved this interview and showcase of Lynn Hill on Climbing Gold. She describes the beauty and challenge of movement in rock climbing so well in this clip:
But the whole point of climbing in general is to adapt yourself to the rock in the most clever way that you can using whatever you were given, your body size, finger size. None of that is as important as your mind and your solutions and your ability to persevere.
There’s someone who gets it. The interplay of mind and body, solving problems through a delicate balance of poise and power, that’s what I love climbing.
Honestly, the whole episode is worth listening to, even if you’re not into climbing. You’ll hear the story of how Lynn shattered expectations by climbing one of the most iconic routes in the world before anyone else — including and especially any men. It wouldn’t be repeated for over a decade.
You’ll also hear about how Lynn was at there at the beginning of climbing sponsorship, or what we’d call “professional rock climbing” today. But when the sponsor started looking for more “engagement” and reliance on social media, she stuck to her personal values and bowed out. (Without denigrating anyone who does earn their living that way, by the way.)
Lynn Hill was and is an inspiration. And still a damn good climber.