Why are we doing this?
The first question that might come to your mind on our website is, why are we making apps for climbing, or more specifically, the ClimbLife Rating app for rating indoor climbing routes?
Have you ever finished a climb and been absolutely thrilled, feeling an extreme need to tell everyone around you and beyond that it was utterly fantastic? Because it was challenging, yet not unrealistically so for its level; a bit technical, but also requiring strength, with good holds but also an unexpected, solvable crux...? Or conversely, despite looking like a training ladder from holds, it made no sense, as if the setter thought you'd have three hands? And that holding onto razorblades, with no feet, and clipping from the side just isn’t feasible? This happens to us quite often and to our climbing friends too.
So, we came up with the idea that we'd like to occasionally scold or praise the setters or the gym, but mainly: to share our feelings about individual routes with friends, so they can try them too. And with our future selves in a diary, to see that we are improving, even when it sometimes doesn't seem like it.
Don't Climbing Apps Already Exist?
Several friends pointed out that such an app already exists, so why are we doing it too? After all, SmíchOFF and BigWall have their systems where you can both rate and record routes in a diary... This grounded us a bit and for a while, we abandoned this idea and started working on other projects (like an app for connecting climbers, but more on that another time on the blog). But then we wanted to try and record that route. Oops, the login doesn't work. Okay, once the login works, you have to be approved by an administrator. Great, see you at the next session. Oh, it’s frustrating that the QR code can't be scanned, or only from a certain angle. And where does it take you? I have no idea, but I can't say I’d want to go through that again. And why is everything about 3 millimeters big, I can't possibly hit that with a finger swollen from climbing... With these insights, we returned to the idea of an app for rating routes in the gym. We believe that a very simple system, good UX optimized for climbers, and a bit of effort to do it modernly will help many climbers in rating, commenting, and recording routes.
Mobile Phones Don't Belong on the Wall, Right?
Mobile phones don't belong on the wall. Because climbing is about friendship, experience, physical performance, joy from sharing the experience... We've heard this from many, mostly from the 40+ generation if I'm to be precise, but let's not underestimate anyone. Precisely because today all generations experience everything through a virtual environment - friendship, performances, sharing experiences... It's completely normal that we use apps for running, meditation, sharing photos, and communication, so why not for what many of us climbers live by? The virtual layer is omnipresent, and we believe that when it is properly embraced, it enhances reality, not overshadows it. Also, those mobiles are already on the wall. Look at the Instagram profiles of gyms reposting climbers' stories. How many people have we seen filming while bouldering, or taking a photo after climbing a route? How many people have you seen writing something on their mobile during a break, resting between climbs?
After weighing all the pros and cons, we finally got into it and after several months of development, we are here with version 1. We would be very happy if you tried it and let us know if it brings you joy :).
Anežka from ClimbLife