If you recall, a while back we hosted an amazing woman, Aubrey, on our podcast. She has crushed 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell (24HHH) over and over again. I told my climbing buddy, Nick, about how awesome Aubrey is and how she basically owns 24HHH now. We mused over whether 24HHH would happen this year or not, and then at 4:20PM on 4/19 I got some frantic texts from Nick…
When’s my birthday? What email would be good for me? What’s my highest redpoint?
He continues this line of questioning, and I got the feeling he was signing us up for the 24HHH lottery. You see, since this comp is so big and wild, they have to limit the number of competitors each year, so they use a lottery to determine who can compete.
24HHH is an outdoor climbing comp where you basically climb for 24 hours straight at Horseshoe Canyon in Arkansas.
It is absolute madness.
The other day, Nick and I were heading out for some errands, and he turns to me with utter shock in his eyes…
WE WON THE 24HHH LOTTERY!!!!!!!!!
For a while we were in disbelief…but then it became very clear that we were going to get destroyed at this comp. So, we started planning:
- Climb outside as much as possible
- Do a mock 12 or 24 hour climb
- Visit Horseshoe Canyon
- Hangboard
- Practice falls for days
- Break in our newly inherited trad rack
As you can tell, we are still miserably unprepared. We’ve got our work cut out for us (physically and mentally). So, I come to you guys for advice. What else should we do to prepare for this day of insanity? How would you get ready to tackle such a challenge?
Thank you guys! I look forward to your insight!
Co-writer
thedihedral.com 
go back & listen to your interview with Aubrey Add mental mindfulness to balance your physical prep.
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Brilliant! Thank you.
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Reblogged this on Love and Love Alone.
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Stash water and food on both sides of the canyon (will save you so much energy), put your rope in a laundry basket or hamper (so much easier for moving between routes than a rope bag), loop glow in the dark sticks/rings into your draws and trad hear (helps you spot them in the dark for quick clipping and cleaning once the sun goes down) and DO NOT participate in Edward 40 hands between routes 😂
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That’s super smart…thank you so much!
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Good luck!
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Thanks!
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The practice falls part, yeah, I have that down!
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Ohhhh yeahhhh😅
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Most of my experience is in backcountry hiking, but I think this advice might still apply; incrementally add weights to yourself during your training climbs. By the time you get to the event itself you’ll have built up muscle and stamina to compensate for the added weight which will make the event itself sans weight feel easier.
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Ooh that does make sense! Thanks!
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