Uncle_Tricky Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 In another thread, PeteyPuget wrote: "Free means that you do not rely on anything artifical to aid your ascent. So, you do not...ARGUABLY pull up on trees and roots etc." So...let's argue! Is pulling on trees, grass, roots, moss, etc aid? Is an ascent somehow less "pure" if you pull on non-rock features? What if pulling on a non rock feature makes the climb significantly easier? It seems the grade of some climbs assume you DO pull on all available features, while other climbs are graded assuming you only climb the rock. Or is specifically trying to avoid pulling on non-rock features just a stupid contrivance? Does it matter whether it's a one-pitch crag climb, a sport climb, a trad climb or an alpine climb? Some different types of examples I can think of: Maple at base of Godzilla. Bush in corner on Toxic at Index. "Batman Bush" on Total Soul at Darrington Large trees growing out of cracks at Octupus gardens in Squamish Tree at base of crack on SW Rib of SEWS Can anyone else think of examples of climbs where trees or bushes are specifially considered on or off route? Obviously there's no God-Given answer for this one--but do you have any personal ethic? Or do you think, as Dwayner likes to say, "it's all good!" Quote
Fence_Sitter Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 Bush in corner on Toxic at Index. grabbed that one yesterday but really, if you aren't gonna damage the tree, its in... especially in alpine... usually it is in the way and getting around it without touching it makes it harder and contrived... like saying certain holds are 'out' on a sport climb... but if possible i try not to, but if it is there, the temptation can be great especially if you are gripped. Quote
EWolfe Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 There used to be a root on "exasperator" that was really nice to see - you know I grabbed that sumbitch, and didn't call it "freedom free". Quote
marylou Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 Fence_Sitter said: Bush in corner on Toxic at Index. grabbed that one yesterday but really, if you aren't gonna damage the tree, its in... especially in alpine... usually it is in the way and getting around it without touching it makes it harder and contrived... like saying certain holds are 'out' on a sport climb... but if possible i try not to, but if it is there, the temptation can be great especially if you are gripped. I think by this logic, pulling on gear would also be considered "in." Trees are definitely aid. Quote
Alpinfox Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 It's really funny the mundane shit that we climbers wonder about sometimes, but I too have considered this question. In general, if I am wearing rock shoes (i.e. doing a "technical" rock climb) I try to avoid pulling on any non-rock/snow/ice features, but when I am seriously pumped, anything goes. Knee-scums, belly-flops, butt-jams, you name it, I've probably done it at some point. I certainly have no problem throwing a sling around a tree for anchor/pro. Pulling on veggies on a sport-climb seems kind of silly. Several trees and bushes on the descent "trail" from Snow Creek Wall are well polished/broken from use as descent aids. There is also a well used root at the top of Diedre at Squamish that comes to mind. I distinctly remember working for quite a while trying unsuccessfully to figure out a tree-free start of some route, but resorting to stemming off the tree for the first few feet, but I don't remember what route that was. Trees are our friends. Quote
RuMR Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 marylou said: Fence_Sitter said: Bush in corner on Toxic at Index. grabbed that one yesterday but really, if you aren't gonna damage the tree, its in... especially in alpine... usually it is in the way and getting around it without touching it makes it harder and contrived... like saying certain holds are 'out' on a sport climb... but if possible i try not to, but if it is there, the temptation can be great especially if you are gripped. I think by this logic, pulling on gear would also be considered "in." Trees are definitely aid. NO...WOMEN are aid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
Dru Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 All Squamish trees are "on route". In fact the Tami Knight approved finish to a "Squamish classic" is by definition "lunge for the tree". I stemmed off a tree to place a bolt today. Quote
Szyjakowski Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 Trees arent aid if there in the way...sheesh... Quote
eric8 Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 The description for breakfast of champions in sky valley rock says the rating assumes you don't step on the tree. I try not to pull on trees and such when i'm rock climbing. However i do it when scrambling so does that mean i've french free 3rd class . I also find that i make a lot of tree moves when winter climbing at low quality pass. I think i have even climbed up and traverse around a tree once. Quote
Dru Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 This would be a great topic for the NEW TREE CLIMBING FORUM Quote
joe_retard Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 What the hell's wrong with a green belay every now and then? Quote
Dru Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 We all know what post #26 on this thread is gonna say. The big question is who is gonna say it, me, attitude, iaxx or an interloper? Quote
EWolfe Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 marylou said: Trees are definitely aid. How about bushes? I grabbed your momma's today - is that aid? Quote
jhamaker Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 Trees are part of the route. Getting through, over, around the suckers is often the most challenging part of the route. Quote
erik Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 RuMR said: NO...WOMEN are aid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i thought aid was supposed to make things easier!!! Quote
Thinker Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 I like the little tree and later the root on the ledge/traverse near the top of Snake at Squish. Quote
marylou Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 Mister E, please don't involve my mom in this. I don't find it funny. Quote
Szyjakowski Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 marylou said: Mister E, please don't involve my mom in this. I don't find it funny. yeah but other people did... Quote
Dru Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 Thinker said: I like the little tree and later the root on the ledge/traverse near the top of Snake at Squish. I like the tree at the top of Whirlwind which prevented me from groundfalling off the ledge at the top of the Apron Quote
marylou Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 I don't give a rat's ass who finds it funny. It's not appropriate, and this isn't the spray section. Quote
Szyjakowski Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 well pehaps mr moderator erik should move it then cuz its spray worthy now..... i bet rat will find it funny Quote
Dru Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 marylou said: I don't give a rat's ass who finds it funny. It's not appropriate, and this isn't the spray section. Its ALL SPRAY ALL THE TIME!!!!!! Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 marylou said: Fence_Sitter said: Bush in corner on Toxic at Index. grabbed that one yesterday but really, if you aren't gonna damage the tree, its in... especially in alpine... usually it is in the way and getting around it without touching it makes it harder and contrived... like saying certain holds are 'out' on a sport climb... but if possible i try not to, but if it is there, the temptation can be great especially if you are gripped. I think by this logic, pulling on gear would also be considered "in." Trees are definitely aid. I call bullshit because you should climb and approach something like Calculus Crack or St Vitus Dance approach. Via 5.7 "tree" climbing as noted in the guidebook. Or even try Mt Index for instance. Quote
Fence_Sitter Posted June 30, 2003 Posted June 30, 2003 marylou said: Fence_Sitter said: Bush in corner on Toxic at Index. grabbed that one yesterday but really, if you aren't gonna damage the tree, its in... especially in alpine... usually it is in the way and getting around it without touching it makes it harder and contrived... like saying certain holds are 'out' on a sport climb... but if possible i try not to, but if it is there, the temptation can be great especially if you are gripped. I think by this logic, pulling on gear would also be considered "in." Trees are definitely aid. you've never climbed at squish of is that you've never climbed at all? i cant tell... lets see you doing any route on the apron without touching a tree and i will let you do hwat you will with me... i know it is a big prize, but i know you cant do it... Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.