Katie is considered one of the top Sport Climbers in the world. Katie's unparalleled
performance in such events as the ESPN X-Games, and her standing in the World Cup climbing
circuit is astounding when you consider that she achieved these goals before the age of
17. However, having climbed with Katie, I get a perspective not generally shared by the
media, because they don't really go into her element and view it first hand from her point
of view. Katie, is happy climbing, and people find it enjoyable watching her climb. Katie
has a delicate, methodical, and powerful style, with a purposeful grace about the way she
moves over stone. There is no doubt that Katie Brown is a well honed and seasoned athlete.
A tremendous contrast exists between this powerful and focused climber, and her quiet and
pensive persona.
 Sport
Climbing with Katie BrownThe climbing style that Katie appears most similar to
is Robin Erbesfield. Robin is powerful, focused, and delicate, as well. Both Katie and
Robin are champions, Robin being a World Champ several times over. Katie has a relaxed,
and concentrated poise in her approach to climbing. She doesn't shake under pressure, and
seems to climb as purposefully on really difficult moves as she does on easier terrain.
Many climbers, to the contrary, seem to excel on easy climbing and be stymied on harder
moves.
Photos by CG Hill © |
Katie competes without any apparent focus on the competition. Many climbers spend time
getting psyched, or trying to psych others, Katie has the demeanor of a seasoned champion
from the start, and spends her time in critical contemplation about things more important
then who showed up, not that she'd have anything to worry about anyway.
Climbing with Katie outdoors reveals her real love for the sport. Katie
is very outdoorsy, and is quite happy and relaxed facing new challenges. She likes
climbing in the sun and enjoys beautiful views. Just like climbing indoors on hard
plastic, Katie cranks in a very focused way on rock. Her concentration and deliberately
solid connection is obvious regardless of the environment. Katie is a consistent master of
technique, and her movement rarely varies regardless of how hard the moves are. This is
fascinating to watch, because, climbers often fly and flail. Many elite climbers have
marvelous technique, and climb into no returns, where they spend great deals of time in
ponderous wasteful shake outs, only to move on with sheer will and low reserves. No such
thing for Katie, she is deliberate and disciplined, so she is in control regardless of her
position. This methodical approach allows Katie to get it right from the start, so she
doesn't blow energy making hard moves on a blown sequence
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