WHY THIS HAPPENS
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Power-to-weight ratio (W/kg) is the single biggest climbing determinant — both sides matter
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Pacing mistakes: going too hard early blows your top-end before the summit
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Threshold and VO2max capacity below where it needs to be
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Insufficient sustained high-intensity work (3-8 min efforts)
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Excess body mass that isn't muscle
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Mental framing: climbs feel harder because they expose the gap between your fitness and your ambition