In reply to SonyaD:
> This post isn't about willy waving, but about enjoyment.
What if I enjoy willy waving
> Now, I'd still love to get on a nice big long mountain V.Diff/Sev and really enjoy it. But I'm getting really into the technicalities and problem solving of climbing harder, it's adding a whole new element for me (and I know VS is punterish, but it's a big milestone for me cos I'm feeble and weak, injury ridden, with crap technique, no natural skills and a shakey head for leading, lol!)
The problem solving is a big part of it for me (the other parts being the 'day out somewhere nice' and 'excitement'). Combining all three is the ultimate but usually unachievable goal.
> I'm even begin to think that once I'm fully happy and led more VS's and some more mountain VS's, that I might even contemplate an HVS (and I always said once I led VS I'd be happy with that)
> So, for all you folk who climb harder than VS, have you found that as you've progressed through the grades, you have enjoyed your climbing more and more and more?
It varies, sometimes it's incredibly satisfying to finish something 'hard' (my experience is bouldering but I suppose it's pretty universal). Sometimes climbing 'hard' just gets to be a pain in the ass and you need a relaxing day soloing some easy fun stuff or cruising up a big easy route. The enjoyment I get from climbing is much more closely tied to my mood at the time than the difficulty.
That said, it is a good feeling to make progress, tick a new grade, whatever you want to call it.
> Also, does anyone find that there seems to be a big jump between VS and HVS, but less of a jump between HVS and E1?
Hmmm... not sure, <gross generalisation follows> VS tends to be 'easy' having moves between ledges and frequent rests. HVS tends to be similar climbing but more sustained and can feel tough because of that. E1's can be similar and have some pretty tricky moves.
I know that makes no real sense other than perhaps when you consider the moves on most HVS are 'easy', it's stamina I lack. By the time I get to E1 it's the tricky moves I start to notice as the problem. Bold E1 feels like bold VS, pretty easy but you have to be careful.
It's very hard to say which is the biggest step, it's usually the one you're struggling with currently. I suppose HVS and E1 routes are generally more similar in feel than VS and HVS routes are but again, it's a gross generalisation and may be totally wrong in most people's eyes.
jk