Things I Know To Be True: Top American Climber Dylan Barks Answers Big Questions
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From Ann Arbor, Michigan, 26-year-old Dylan Barks is just getting started. He recently put down White Noise, V14/V15—his first of the grade—after just three sessions. And in June, Arrested Development, in Mt. Charleston, second go. That rig goes at 5.14d.
Barks is a strong plastic puller as well. He’s been competing since age 13, and he was on the 2019 US National Bouldering Team.
He continues our new series, Things I Know To Be True, where top climbers answer big questions.
[Also Read: Things I Know To Be True: Sienna Kopf on Success, Sprinkles, and Rest Days]
If I could talk to my ten-year-old self, I would tell him go on as many adventures as you can.
Clipping the chains is usually in a blur.
Rest days are for procrastinating on tasks.
Not sending can unfortunately be the best motivator.
Trying hard is what it’s all about.
My bedroom is never messy 😉
Junk food is delicious and tastes even better after sending.
Four things I would give up if I could climb a grade harder are running, my phone, golfing… and the copious amounts of caffeine I normally drink.
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My all-time route, or boulder, is Golden Ticket, in the Red River Gorge. (Ed note: Barks sent this one in 2013)
If I couldn’t climb anymore, I would be a golfer or a runner.
The hardest lesson in the world is learning that it’ll all make sense in the end.
I cry when I think the stupidest jokes are the funniest in the world.
The world feels overwhelming when I’m in a big city. And tranquil in the woods.
When I’m in the zone, I think nothing.
If I could conjoin two of my favorite crags, they’d be Oliana [in Spain] and the Motherload [at the Red River Gorge].
People are surprised to learn that I have a Goldendoodle named Lola.
The best part of a competition is seeing how well you can perform and finding out what you’re capable of.