Dru Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 You know that Conan quote "To slay your enemies, burn their houses and sleep with their women" or whatever. What is good in climbing? Linking to the chains. Alpenglow as you leave camp. Topping out. Bomber handjam. Smell of wind coming off a glacier over an alpine meadow. One hit plastic blue. Getting gear in after a runout. Seeing a peak for the first time after staring at it on the map. Coming back to camp or the car and opening a beer. Having a partner who knows what to do when they can't hear you and vice versa. Finding a new problem. Finding new way to do an old problem. Styrosnow. Bing bing bing bing bing! Greasy burger in a pub. Fall colours and smell of woodsmoke. Sun coming up at an unplanned bivi. Talking shit with your friends. Getting in at midnight and waking up in the morning as sun hits your bivi bag in the parking lot. Someone random coming up to you and giving you a beer because they know you online. Someone making the first repeat of your route. Making the first repeat of someone else's route. Taking your shoes off at the end of a long route. And yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klenke Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Dude, take a look at just half of the thread titles on the main board. The climbing season is winding down and everyone doesn't know what to do with themselves until the winter climbing fun begins. In the meantime, they're all killing time on this website posting new thread topics seeking to answer those philosophical questions, etc. Losers. We're all losers. Is there nothing else in life? And why can't I edit my novel? Why do I never feel like it in the evening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EWolfe Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 klenke said: Dude, take a look at just half of the thread titles on the main board. The climbing season is winding down and everyone doesn't know what to do with themselves until the winter climbing fun begins. In the meantime, they're all killing time on this website posting new thread topics seeking to answer those philosophical questions, etc. Losers. We're all losers. Is there nothing else in life? And why can't I edit my novel? Why do I never feel like it in the evening? Klunker, you're a real downer Looking forward to climbing weekends in the spring and fall when the eastside places are cooler is one of my favorites Meeting new people in the climbing community Planning future trip, perusing the guides Good thread dru! I'm going to try and be there the 8-11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted October 23, 2003 Author Share Posted October 23, 2003 klenke said: Dude, take a look at just half of the thread titles on the main board. The climbing season is winding down and everyone doesn't know what to do with themselves until the winter climbing fun begins. In the meantime, they're all killing time on this website posting new thread topics seeking to answer those philosophical questions, etc. Losers. We're all losers. Is there nothing else in life? And why can't I edit my novel? Why do I never feel like it in the evening? Talking is a traditional way of passing time spent not climbing. Why can't you edit your novel? Because you lack will. Neitzsche would call you a subman. But what's good about climbing for you? Calculating prominence and rise over run statistics? Making the little tick mark on your list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klenke Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 I like climbing and stuff. A hu-hu a hu-hu-hu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 How about, sitting in your car listening to music after a hairy solo trip in the mountains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolyn Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 The first thing that comes to mind... The warmth coming back to my hands after the barfies while ice climbing. THen there is.... Hearing the sound of your pick hit the ice in a perfect placement. AAAAAHHHHH! Successfully dodging a falling object. Having your belayer catch your fall. Being able to catch your partners' fall. *whew!* Getting my ass up something I never thought I could. Climbing something where my mind goes blank and my body just moves. Watching someone else succeed on a climb which is obviously challenging for them. sleeping well after a good day of climbing. Being able to laugh at myself when I fall UP a climb. Looking in guidebooks to plan or just plain dream of the day. Blasting the heat in a warm vehicle after a cold day outside. Grilled Cheese and budweiser after a good day of climbing (dont forget the white bread!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Climbing is a lot of work, and lots of times its scary. If I made a list like Dru's and Carolyn's, it'd be full of lots of moments where I had some kind of reflective experience almost outside of the climb itself, like when sipping scotch and smoking a cigar upon arrival at an Alaskan basecamp or when lingering in the alpine zone at sunset when there was no longer pressure to hurry, or maybe when sitting at that big ledge and taking off those too-tight shoes and soaking up the sun for a few minutes' rest in the sun... But then there are the exciting moments, too, where an acute awareness of exactly where you are comes into focus: looking around at the 360+ degrees of sky while on that summit ridge, or seeing that eagle, soaring, BELOW you, or when you find the critical passage through that rock band guarding an alpine route or whatever.... And there'd be those sensuous experiences like the cold beer you left in a mountain pool, or that thank-god hold right in the middle of the crux... But what is good about climbing? Not much, really – it's a bad habit that threatens our family lives and our professional careers and might even kill us - but it gives us a reason to be EXCITED! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goatboy Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Good topic, but lets give the original Conan quote it's due (he is the governor now, you know): "Conquer enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women!!!!" Could that quote apply to climbing as well, after all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Soaking your tired dogs in a cold mountain stream then putting on your socks back on which have dried in the sun and are now all nice and warm and dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_b Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 tremendous exposure climbing through previously unclimbed territory (i.e it goes!!!) sinking hands into a crack after climbing a poorly protected face cruising moderate terrain facing a scary pitch and it's not your lead finally getting to climb when half-frozen to death total communion (perceived or real) sharing more than climbing with your partner having a smoke on a small ledge high up on a climb late in the day taking your time and enjoying the way back to the barn carry-overs with minimal gear (even better if walk out is different than approach) conceiving the ultimate trip and everything works according to plan being a lead hog and enjoying it doing a climb out of season narrow ridges etc ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willstrickland Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Bootying gear Bootying gear from the party in front of you and returning it on top Waiting for a party below you to top out with a bowl packed and ready Coming to a stop after a long fall and realizing you are not hurt. Bomber pin after a string of sketchy hooks Rock gear on an ice climb First trips to new areas Desert towers!!! Alien Hybrids Used gear for cheap Sharing beers, single malt, and pedigreed weed around a fire with climbers from six countries in C4 Having enough water Having a climbing partner who owns the local brewery Demanding Terminal Gravity IPA when with non-climbing friends and having them become instant converts A climb you've dreamed about and worked up to for your whole climbing careera that is at your mental and physical limits, with one of your best friends as a partner, in a beautiful alpine setting, with perfect weather and two hotties waiting in camp when you return with a picnic table full of Thai food, a packed bowl, a cooler ful of beer, and a bottle of single malt scotch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necronomicon Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 10 Bong Hits 1 Racho Deluxe Burrito with Black Beans & Extra Cheese 5 Chicken Roll Tacos 5 Margabargas 5 Shots House Tequila 1 Bike Crash on Front Lawn 1 Open Bivy in Back Yard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialed Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Booty. (and I don't mean finding gear) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Dru said: You know that Conan quote "To slay your enemies, burn their houses and sleep with their women" or whatever. What is good in climbing? Linking to the chains. Alpenglow as you leave camp. Topping out. Bomber handjam. Smell of wind coming off a glacier over an alpine meadow. One hit plastic blue. Getting gear in after a runout. Seeing a peak for the first time after staring at it on the map. Coming back to camp or the car and opening a beer. Having a partner who knows what to do when they can't hear you and vice versa. Finding a new problem. Finding new way to do an old problem. Styrosnow. Bing bing bing bing bing! Greasy burger in a pub. Fall colours and smell of woodsmoke. Sun coming up at an unplanned bivi. Talking shit with your friends. Getting in at midnight and waking up in the morning as sun hits your bivi bag in the parking lot. Someone random coming up to you and giving you a beer because they know you online. Someone making the first repeat of your route. Making the first repeat of someone else's route. Taking your shoes off at the end of a long route. And yours? nice list dru i love taking my shoes off after a trip alpenglow i love my partners with whom things go smoothly when we can't hear i love the sound of gear at the crag, you know the clinging of someone's rack the smell of dirt after it rains the smell of damp rock a cool breeze blowing down a crack on you on a hot day. my partners that make me laugh when i'm sketched or the day has gone awry. my partners who help make the day cold beer while sitting on the tailgate after a long day perfect handcracks stiff breeze on a summit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkemp Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Picking the right size gear on the first try. Placing nuts and hexes. Creating an outing, then seeing my friends having a good time out there, even in the rain. Kicking a damn fine set of steps. The smell of the forest after days on glaciers. A telemark turn to the right - damn that left turn! A great tent partner - hey C! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willstrickland Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Special, You're not a monk are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialed Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Well I defenitly ain't the fuckin' pope anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 specialed said: Well I defenitly ain't the fuckin' pope anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolyn Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 getting stuck in a spot....loooking around everywhere for your next hold, trying to figure out how to make the move...and then "da-ding"...you see it... Its been right there in front of your face the entire time! DOH! The metaphors I get from climbing and can bring into my life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Parker Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 For me it's being in the "zone." What comes to mind is being at the start of a pitch that looks scary and you head up with butterflies, but they soon disappear because your total focus takes over and your confidence kicks in and you find you are moving fairly easily over sketchy ground. I like loosing track of time but not feeling rushed because you know you are moving fast and things are going smoothly. I also like the feeling of being tired and then getting that second wind and finding you can dig deeper and keep going until it's finished. I like feeling warm in a blizzard! I like skiing deep powder snow and getting face shots! I like exersizing all day outdoors! And to top it all off, having really good, wild sex in a hotub with a total babe after a great day in the mountains! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boatskiclimbsail Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Definite cheers to partners who don't need babysitting Pulling over a chandelier curtain in moonlight (without it breaking off) Writing your name in the snow Greasy bacon cheeseburgers after a week of rice and noodles Making skin tracks that overlook the virigin bowl Sexy hex placements Discovering that a route marked 5.10 is actually a 12 Ice climbing with skis on your back Little frozen pucks of coffee from the espresso maker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracked Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 I forgot. GORTS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 boatskiclimbsail said: Pulling over a chandelier curtain in moonlight (without it breaking off) Swinging from a a chandelier with knife in mouth. YARRRRRRRR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClimbingH Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 Sharing trail mix Driving 90mph at 2am getting to the TH High fives at the belays and hugs on the summit Hearing/saying "good lead" from/to my partner Friendships Memories Friends controling the temperature and music volume on the late night drive home so you don't fall asleep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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