Before you can enjoy these views, you have to get yourself ready. “It’s all about the group experience: often you remember not only the line you climbed, but also the moment you climbed it and who you were with while you climbed it.” For sport climbing, choosing the right partner is essential because your safety depends on that person. The best thing is if it’s someone you trust. This is less of an issue in bouldering, but here, too, having good people around you pushes you to do better and not give up. Almost more important than fitness – especially in bouldering – is mental strength, because you spend 99% of the time dropping off the rock. Having the right technique avoids having to use too much strength, but you won’t get far without strength – you need both, whether you’re climbing or bouldering. You also need to be motivated to go beyond your limits. It’s worth noting that sport climbing and bouldering are two quite different sports. Many people stay with bouldering, as all you need is a thick mat and a pair of climbing shoes to scramble up like a spider. But the key prerequisite to becoming a good climber/boulderer is a love and respect for nature.