Liam Foster

I climbed Echo Chamber! :) Closing the loop on what was my first proper boulder project has been bittersweet. I'm usually not one for time pressure, so I'm really proud of sniping a short weather window on the last realistic day of the season to climb my dream boulder! I also can't help but feel a bit sad it's over because this process has been so enjoyable. The drive became meditative, slow mornings hanging out with Parker, Nicole and Terence were super special, and late night sessions with Dean were just so damn fun. I first tried Echo a couple years back but couldn't really pull on because of a meniscus tweak. My first earnest sessions were last spring right after my PhD qualifying exam, and right before an emergency appendectomy. This fall was the full package, with super fun sessions, a close attempt, regression, and a last minute surprise send on my last day of the season. Perhaps because bouldering happens pretty close to the ground, this process has reminded me that grabbing the grips is only a small part of what makes climbing special. A big thanks to @terencetseng and @nicolesliu for hosting me for so many weekends, to Dean for such supportive fun sessions, and to all the other folks that helped out along the way!

Illuminate the relevant Relax into presence Climb beyond caution Arsonist, 14d/9a Back in late October, I topped out the hardest route I've ever done, finishing a 45 day project, the longest I’ve ever had. Convincing myself that I had the level to climb something this hard took a complete reworking of my understandings of self-confidence and self-belief, and how they play into our inner views and self-conceptions. This process for me crystallized the control we have in becoming who we want to be on the most basic level, and the confidence we can draw from this self-determination. After returning from Ceuse, I threw myself into continuing this transformation, and put everything I had into preparing physically, mentally, and technically for the route. The day I sent Arsonist, the conditions were humid, warm, and stagnant. I set up a camera, which proceeded to record for 15 mins before going to sleep. I sat on the pillar where the route begins, put in earplugs, and let my mind clarify. I pulled onto the rock, and let my attention follow my breath and my movement. The last crux was absolutely limit, and was the biggest fight I've ever had in my climbing. The moves eased at the same rate I fatigued, and it took every fiber of my being to take the finishing undercling. Some minutes later, I was standing on the remarkably flat top of Jailhouse for the first time. I rejoiced, @spaceship_coop handed me my sandals, I untied, and dropped my rope. A huge thanks to Josh Cornah for the coaching, @malik.schirawski for the introspective chats, @christopherweidner for the photos, @connor.herson for the vision in putting this up, and @thejeffmerrick for the final belay (and like 40 days of belaying beforehand)!! And of course to all my Jailhouse friends for the good crag vibes over the years!!

After sending Dures Limites, I felt unleashed, and was psyched to climb as many of the classic, beautiful moderates that Ceuse is known for as I could, as well as to sample some future projects. As my trip started to come to a close, I felt something missing. At the time I was trying Slow Food, and not seeing the progress I was expecting, and blamed my lack of performance on a fear of failing on something I felt was meant to be easy. After a mindset shift, I realized that this struggle was exactly what I was missing, and I found I had been confusing intention with expectation, avoiding the vulnerability that committing to the route fully required. After some reflection, it seems this fear of vulnerability may sit at the root of many of the challenges I find in my psychology. I finally felt at peace, and fully content with my trip. Some route highlights of those 6 weeks in list form: Paradis Natural, 14a/8b+ Gaïouf, 14a/8b+ État d’Apesanteur, 13c/8a+ Dures Limites, 14b/8c Sueurs Froides, 13c/8a+, first try but tried once two seasons earlier Radote Joli Pépère, 13d/8b Carte Blanche, 13b/8a, first try but tried once one season earlier Dolce Vita, 13c/8a+ Violente Illusion, 13d/8b La Rebuf’, 12d/7c flash, torrential rain, felt alpine af Poinçonneur d’Ilias, 13c/8a+ Slow Food, 14a/8b+ 📸: @thatcrazyclimber of me swimming a lap on Dolce Vita at the Berlin Wall swimming pool

I first tried Dures Limites for the first time 3 seasons ago, motivated to prove that I could climb at this level. And I got absolutely smashed, leaving Ceuse broken psychologically and physically after an exhausting 2.5 months. Last season at Ceuse I experienced a huge shift in my motivations, switching from expectations of performance to intentions of enjoyment. This allowed me to more fully immerse myself in my climbing experiences, sensing and reacting to subtleties previously obscured. After a good fight, I fell off the last hard move 3 times. This season, I came confident in my preparation. Enjoyment of climbing fueled my motivation, while intentions of performance focused it and gave it teeth. I sent Dures Limites on my 4th go of the trip, in exactly the way I knew I could. There was never any hesitation or doubt, and my mind was empty as I flowed up the route. Clipping the anchor was the most euphoric moment of my climbing thus far. I like to think of projects as teachers and mentors more than as obstacles to be overcome. Only once you learn the lessons and personal growths required can you pass this final exam. After ~35 days on this route, crushing an exam never felt so good. Thanks to @keenan_panda for holding my rope on the final try, and to everyone I worked on this over the years with! 📸: the boss @thatcrazyclimber

Working at CERN over the summer provided me an opportunity to reflect on patterns, habits, and visions. I’ve been curious for a while what, beyond physiology, drives people to adopt certain movement patterns and styles, and realized that distinctive features in one’s person can often be identified in how one climbs. I found myself connecting strengths in my movement with strengths in my person, as well as identifying joint weaknesses in both. Growth in movement and person are connected. Living in a new place making new habits offered space to tighten my focus on training and revealed the control I have over who I can be, leaving me with a newfound sense of self confidence, and a different vision of myself. This all in combination led to a couple rewarding weekends at Rawyl, with Tommy, @peter_xa , @malik.schirawski , @rogersarlo1703 , @alexx4034 , and @soae_mauceli , where I was able to send Paradis Natural (14a/8b+), Gaïouf (14a/8b+), and État d’Apesanteur (13c/8a+). Feeling the pieces starting to align, I felt like a kid in a candy shop as I made my pilgrimage south towards Ceuse. 📸: @malik.schirawski.photography

Escaped the business for a week with Keenan and Nate and climbed in Bishop for the first time. So many cool rocks to climb on! Here, Keenan (necessarily) makes Footprints look casual. Now back to the end-of-semester grind.

A couple weeks ago, I clipped the anchors on The Green Mile, which is my hardest climbing achievement to date. For several years, I’d had the dream of climbing 14c, but after I lowered to the ground, it felt just like any other route. I wondered whether I’d only climbed the route for a grade, and worried misplaced motivations had tarnished a special experience. I view projects as teachers who will not let you pass until you have looked within to find the answers to the questions being asked. A couple weeks after my send, I went back to The Green Mile for some photos, and got to experience one more time the wild, creative moves of the route. It was really nice to revisit this old friend, and remind myself what led me to dedicate 35+ days to this route. Over this time, I found that my motivations for climbing had grown less achievement-oriented and more experiential. The Green Mile was originally an achievement-based goal, and it was interesting to feel this motivation wane. In the end, during my post-send reflections of the Green Mile process, I realized that it’s the pursuit of mastery that is deeply meaningful to me, not the nonexistent mastery or achievements at the end. I look forward to refining this motivation further, allowing myself to experience my climbing as fully as possible. A huge thanks to @bastian.bowley and @spaceship_coop for the 6am support on photo day, and to @christopherweidner for the great photos! #climbing #freeaid #38kneebars #kneebartheworld #3strapordeath #cantwaittonotkneebar #wowyouarestillreading #impressed

Just finished up a great trip to Ceuse! I had the biggest fight with a route I've ever had and had a great time. Despite falling off the last heartbreaker move of my now multi-year project Dures Limites 3 times from the ground, I'm just really really psyched. Ceuse demands a lot and I find it particularly difficult for me to climb well there, but as a result I learn a lot from every trip. Couple this with an amazing group of friends from all over just willing you up a wall of perfect limestone and it's easily one of my favorite places in the world to climb. Huge thanks to everyone that makes this place so great!! Also thanks to Lucas for this photo of me barely staying on the end of the first crux on my last go on the last day of the trip.

Valdez is a special place to me, and I’m always super grateful to have the opportunity to go teach at the @valdezadventurealliance @valdeziceclimbingfestival every year. A combination of getting to spend some quality time with old friends @mgclimber1 and @lindlaukevin , making new friends, seeing new techniques click for folks during clinics, and the absolutely stunning beauty of Alaska make this one of my favorite trips each year. Thanks to everyone who makes this possible! . 📸: me with some camera @paddlinnate found abandoned in the middle of the desert . #iceclimbing #alaska #climbing #teaching #weekofwinter #glacier #valdez #wheresthemilk @mountainratt @deganllc @mcstylos_illustration @alaskarockgym @patmarrinan @hootymer @camp_usa @camp1889outdoor @gnarlynutrition

Fun times in Spain! Got to meet a lot of great people and also managed to send Directa Cornualles, my first 8c/14b! Managed to send on my second redpoint go. On the first try I forgot to make sure there were ‘quickdraws’ on all the ‘bolts’ that I needed to ‘clip’ so I wouldn’t ‘deck.’ Looking back, it turns out I did as many 14s in 2022 than 13s any other year. Stoked to try hard in 2023! . Huge thanks to @fizgratacos for the photos, and @coreybu for the long belay while taking them! And thanks to @squeaky.azn for that sweet sweet blue point. Now back to real life. . @camp1889outdoor @camp_usa @gnarlynutrition . #wentelteefjes #wasghuburdedur #canpiquipugui #gotanygum #rockclimbing #kneebar #aidclimbing #freeaid #basicallyafigurefour

Definetly missing that perfect French limestone and all the rad characters I met there. Time to start training for this winter! . 📸 of @malik.schirawski working on a route . #climbing #ceuse #thinkaboutit #haveyouthoughtaboutit #dontaskme #alter #cétaitmajeurquoi

What a season! I’ve had a great time climbing around SW Colorado et. al, and am stoked to see what I can do in France over the next couple months before starting grad school! . Some of my favorite routes and boulders from the past couple months have been: Riders on the Storm, 5.14-*, FA Charger, 5.13a Spank, 5.13a Silver Arms, 5.13b Bam Bam, 5.13c Bitchez Direct, 5.13c Breaking Ben, 5.14a Silver Throne, 5.13c Viper Room, 5.13b (pictured) Scantron, 5.13b Oracle, V8 Chaos, V8 TRex, V9 . I’m going to miss the Durango crew and my family a ton! Thanks for the great time everybody!! . *This is my suggestion for the grade of this route, and I’ll let people that know how grades work figure out where it actually lies. Grades to me are the least important part of climbing, but are useful in finding appropriate levels of challenge when looking routes to try. . Thanks to @visualadventures for the photos! Fun day!! . @montaneofficial @camp_usa @camp1889 @sterlingrope @gnarlynutrition #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #sandstone @scarpana can I have some shoes haha #damnyoureadthisfar? #respect #IOnlyHaveThisAttentionSpanBecauseImInAnAirport