MATT_B Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 I keep hearing of people being described as “experienced” climbers by the media and other climbers. What does this mean? If I read something in the newspapers about an experienced climber it could mean anything. I find that most reporters are clueless and will label anyone that has been up more than one mountain as experienced. If you where to label someone as experienced, what would you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr._Ben_Krazy Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 experienced climber: one who has participated in climbing, ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredrogers Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 quote: Originally posted by MATT B: I keep hearing of people being described as “experienced” climbers by the media and other climbers. What does this mean? If I read something in the newspapers about an experienced climber it could mean anything. I find that most reporters are clueless and will label anyone that has been up more than one mountain as experienced. If you where to label someone as experienced, what would you mean? Umm. Graduating from the Mountaineers basic course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Yngve Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 quote: Originally posted by MATT B: If you where to label someone as experienced, what would you mean? Knows where to secretly cache the beers so we magically find some cold ones on the descent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 What else could they say? They can't post a climbing resume for each person that gets in trouble. Someone who has been up say, the south side of Hood twice has considerable experience in the eyes of many news reporters. I don't really think it means much since I have some experience. but I could snag my crampons on my pants tmr and die because I was "experienced" enough to feel comfortable w/o a rope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_Clarke Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 The experience I look for in a partner is someone who can stay calm under pressure and doesn't just bail when things get tough. Being experienced in the medium we'd be attempting. Also being able to improvise equipment, being prepared and not bring to much redundant shit to slow us down. However sometimes no matter what the experience, no one is exempt from a mishap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceScrewed Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 Seems simple. According to the press, all climbers requiring rescue are "experienced"... ergo, if you've been rescued, you are experienced! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrible_ted Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 quote: is someone who can stay calm under pressure and doesn't just bail when things get tough.Sounds great. What do you do, put all your partners through a 'test epic' first? I definitely agree with you vis-a-vis mishaps: if alpinism was predictable it wouldn't be fun. Sometimes experience keeps you from doing things that would be fun, but ass-bustingly difficult and risky. Where does that fit in? -t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attitude Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 quote: Originally posted by fredrogers: quote:Originally posted by MATT B: I keep hearing of people being described as “experienced” climbers by the media and other climbers. What does this mean? Umm. Graduating from the Mountaineers basic course? Naw, it's flunking out of the mounties. People who graduate don't know nuttin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texplorer Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 "Have you ever been experienced. . . well I have" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizard_brain Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 If a reporter hears from anybody that you've ever been climbing before, especially if that's what they want to hear and it will help sell the story, then you're an experienced climber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Caveman Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 I experienced some cool stuff when I ate those shrooms up in Squamish then sent some stellar crack lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juneriver Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 quote: Originally posted by terrible ted: Sometimes experience keeps you from doing things that would be fun, but ass-bustingly difficult and risky. Where does that fit in? -t That's interesting.. Sometimes my past experiences or near misses make me hella nervous about doing things that I would have blindly enjoyed before. Am I smarter for it... or just missing out? Probably both. Maybe I'm just getting old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca_Piaggio Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 quote: Originally posted by terrible ted: Sometimes experience keeps you from doing things that would be fun, but ass-bustingly difficult and risky. Where does that fit in? -t Hi, long time lurker, first time poster. In my neighborhood we call this "maturity." Are you willing to assume the risk? Are you willing to do the work? Do you have a good team? Is it worth it? [ 07-30-2002, 11:55 PM: Message edited by: Bianca Piaggio ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimL Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 Experienced climbers have just knowledge to get them in a bad situation regardless if they know how to get out of it. Besides, most expereince comes from bad judgement. I'm sure thats something we all can realte to. Go figure..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryland_moore Posted July 31, 2002 Share Posted July 31, 2002 Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot'teryx Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 All they have to know is enough that will get them into trouble. I think the media sometimes goes by what the parents say or friends, like; "Yeah they are experienced" and the media doesn't put down what else they say like ;"They go up Mt Pilchuck almost once a month!" I'm just gapping out at work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 mt. Pilchuck ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 Survival for any significant period of time when weighted against exposure relative to objective danger. Same as for a soldier. God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt.Caveman Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 If you climbed mt si you are experienced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Cpt.Caveman: If you climbed mt si you are experienced assuming the cougars' didn't getcha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attitude Posted August 1, 2002 Share Posted August 1, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Cpt.Caveman: If you climbed mt si you are experienced If you climbed Mt Si, you're an experienced hiker. If you climbed Mt. Si in your plastic boots, you're an experienced climber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plexus Posted August 2, 2002 Share Posted August 2, 2002 Being a newspaper reporter I can honestly tell you guys, when it comes to climbing, media doesn't have a friggin' clue. They mess up facts, lot of times call them "hikers". Reporters are lazy, they will take things for face value without checking it up. This isn't jut with climbing scenarios, this is with all avenues. Do yourself a favor, never talk with a reporter (unless its me of course ), 9 times out of 10 you will be misquoted. This is of course a generalization, but there are very few competent reporters out there and rule of thumb is, radio is worst, TV is a close second and newspapers are the best of a sad bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klenke Posted August 2, 2002 Share Posted August 2, 2002 I once had a date with an ex-TV reporter and she said exactly what PLEXUS is saying, so I can back him up. She had quit that line of work after 8 years. She was apparently tired of the lack of intelligence in the media field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winter Posted August 2, 2002 Share Posted August 2, 2002 and I suppose the media field has the market cornered on the idiot factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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