Climber Unsure How to Tell Belay Partner They're Just Not Projecting Together Anymore

BOULDER, CO Local climber Rachel Ames is reportedly struggling to find the right words to tell longtime belay partner Evan Morales that she needs space... maybe like 5.12c-level space and wants to start projecting with other people. Its not that Evans a bad belayer, Ames clarified. Hes attentive, safe, supportive. But lately, I feel like were just going through the motions'On belay?' Belay on. Its like were not even communicating anymore. The pair met two years ago in a climbing gym over a shared love of high-friction holds and passive-aggressive beta. They quickly became inseparable, trading belays, gear, and overly ambitious tick lists. But now, Ames says, the dynamic feels... off. His catch used to feel dynamic and intuitive, she said. Now its all static and overly technical. And dont get me started on how hes been clipping my draws on warmups. Sources close to the couple report that Ames has been quietly projecting with other climbers for weeksmostly casual belays at new crags, nothing seriousbut hasnt worked up the nerve to tell Morales directly. I just dont want to hurt him, she said. He still sends me memes. He recently upgraded his belay device to something I mentioned once in 2022. Climbers across the canyon have expressed sympathy, citing the complexity of belayer breakups. Its harder than ending a real relationship, said local guide Taylor Nye. Youre not just emotionally codependentyoure literally tied together. Ames has reportedly rehearsed several potential exit strategies, including: I need to explore new movement vocabularies. You deserve someone who wants to hang on your rope. Its not youits the rope drag. So far, none have felt right. Complicating matters further, Morales reportedly suspects something is off. He recently posted an Instagram story captioned Some projects arent meant to be sent. And thats okay. Still, Ames isnt ready to cut ties completely. Ill always trust him on multipitch, she said, misty-eyed. But this next phase of my life? I need someone who gets my beta... without asking for it out loud. Relationship therapists specializing in climbing partnerships warn that ghosting your belayer can have long-term consequences. You cant just disappear, said Dr. Kayla Vincent, who runs ClimbTalk, a support group for emotionally entangled belay teams. That rope carries memories. And probably a shared trad rack. As of press time, Ames was seen racking up with a new climber described only as tall, quiet, and really into friction slabs. Morales was nearby, calmly flaking ropeperhaps for the last time.