Ian MacNairn

Water Buffalo When not skiing and running, lately I've been spending much of my training time working on rather full-on, demanding climbing sequences, in the gym. These photos are a partial sequence of a roof traverse Matt Westlake Photography and I use to train inverted moves on in the cave in Canmore. Photos by Joceline . This kind of movement is hella pumpy and takes some thinking to maneuver into position most efficiently and effectively. I like the acute combination ...of sharp, creative thinking and brutal strength. I struggle immensely doing this. I often mess and mix up the sequence for holding my tools, placing feet and swinging my legs. And, my strength is always limited. That limit is perpetually brought into focus by inefficient movement. It's humbling and I always learn. Always, I love fighting to figure it out and send. A great way to describe this climbing comes from my friend Graeme: gladiatorial. Or, as Matt says after a burn: 'I feel like I went a round with a Water Buffalo!' I love wrestling Water Buffalo. @ Canmore, Alberta

A sixty second clip that Andy @andy_a_arts put together of Matt Matt Westlake Photography and I training in the Cave in Canmore. . #neverstopexploring #gofarfeelgood #livethemoment