kevbone Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Why does climbing have to be so ego driven? It seems everything is about putting up big numbers no matter what the discipline is…….and then talking about it……don’t get me wrong…..I have an ego as well. I have found that I am getting farther away from climbing all the time and closer to parenting that…….. Its not about the send itself……..it’s about the attempt! For me at least. There is nothing better than hiking out to your car after a great day of climbing. Thinking about your last attempt on your project or onsight.,….thinking about every move and every clip or piece and how you were about to rip off the wall……yet you fought through it in your mind and found a better rest and kept moving up the wall until you send……. Even if I did not get the send……as long as I gave it my all why trying….I am happy as a clam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 good morning kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashw_justin Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 But kevbone, who is going to support the insecurity industry if we learn to stop measuring our self-worth by comparison to how hard other people can climb? Who is going to buy all of the magazines, videos, tiny ropes, 1-month-sole rock shoes, and gym memberships if people realize that the only relevant difference (if any) between 5.X and 5.Y is how enjoyable it is for whoever happens to be climbing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Why do you have to chestbeat about how cool you are because you don't care about the numbers and how happy you are? Fucking ego maniac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevbone Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 Why do you have to chestbeat about how cool you are because you don't care about the numbers and how happy you are? Fucking ego maniac. Who said I dont care about the numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevbone Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 good morning kevin Good afternoon Minx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Me too Kev. I think that is why I like that part where the Swiss guy looks over to Johnathan in the Eiger Sanction and knowing they will not live says "I think I have liked climbing with you very much", or something like that. I like that feeling where your and a buddy have flown up a wall like 2 birds, screaming up with minimal disturbances or discourse, but in harmony nonetheless, as the challenges get knocked off one by one. Like a flock of birds that seem just know the way the other birds will fly without bumping into each other. There is the element of athleticism and strength (numbers), yet the mental strategy, complexity of the technical issues (belaying, anchoring etc), fear of the unknown, and challenge of the route(s) are not ever lost or forgotten. An undercurrent feeling of trust and harmony exists between partners. Thats a good day for me. Like the process as much as the summit I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZONK Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 If You just climb for numbers I think for the most part You wont be climbing long. Unless You must to keep the people who pay for you to climb happy. The avarage Joe-blow who still climbs after reaching there max number what ever it is, climb for the Love of it. You cant rate Your self worth by what the Media pushes on you or what others do or say. To many people worry about what others think about them and allow that to be the driving force in there lives....and climbs Climb for the moment, Enjoy the Stone, Remember the Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 This exchange, Bill? Swiss dude: You're very good. I have really enjoyed climbing with you. Clint: We'll make it. Swiss dude: I don't think so. But we shall continue with style. It's my favorite quote from the whole movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevbone Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 Climb for the moment, Enjoy the Stone, Remember the Day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 That's it Sobo, great exchange, and it just seemed so...so...spot on the money. "But we shall continue with style" ...good stuff, I'd have tied in with that dude any day. That whole climb, he was the one I connected to the most. He was the most considerate of the others throughout. He'd be the dude I'd want as a partner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Ditto, I thought the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blurpy Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minx Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 doesn't this warm fuzzy group hug shit belong in the cafe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 i have never been a great climber. and it pisses me off that i can't even climb as hard now as i did 3 years ago. fuck i can't even open a jar of spageti sauce right now. it is humilating to have to ask for help like that. that said, i went to the gym and climbed today... felt damn good to make it to the top on a 5.8. it wasn't a hard 5.8 and it could have been called Bob for all i care... it just felt good to climb to the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selkirk Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Two of the best things my father ever told me were .... "the most competitive people are only ever competing with themselves" and "Do not judge yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you have accomplished given your ability." The second ones a bitch, but has been a hella of a motivator my whole life. For me it's always been about a good day out with good people, and the feeling of succeeding at something that was near my limits, and I really had to fight for. Unless your making a living off of them climbing numbers don't count for much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 some one i really admired told me some thing similure. He said "there is always some one wrose and always someone better" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenSeagal Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Its not about the send itself……..it’s about the attempt! For me at least. The best climber is the one having the most fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevbone Posted December 30, 2007 Author Share Posted December 30, 2007 Its not about the send itself……..it’s about the attempt! For me at least. The best climber is the one having the most fun. Every thread needs this statement.....I guess it was time eh Steven? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denalidave Posted December 30, 2007 Share Posted December 30, 2007 Looking back at my own climbing, many of the very best days were when I did not summit/finish or just doing a long easy route. More about the journey and "embracing the rock", as I like to call it. Still, it is always nice to put up a higher number than you have before. I use to really envy getting some newbie started, only to have them climbing 5.11 in short order. Now that I am getting older, I'm just glad to see them getting better. Maybe someday, I can bag another 5.11 or 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 Looking back at my own climbing, many of the very best days were when I did not summit/finish or just doing a long easy route. More about the journey and "embracing the rock", as I like to call it. Still, it is always nice to put up a higher number than you have before. I use to really envy getting some newbie started, only to have them climbing 5.11 in short order. Now that I am getting older, I'm just glad to see them getting better. Maybe someday, I can bag another 5.11 or 2. thats my plan after i retire.... when i can realy focus on climbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvashtarkatena Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I climb because my dad always told me that I threw like a girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannible Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 I don't think that climbing harder grades is all about ego. The great thing about climbing, I think, is that no matter how good you think you are there will always be something that you know you can't do, and when you pull of something that you weren't sure that you could do its a pretty neat feeling. My most vivid climbing memories are of times when I finally reached the top of a "hard" pitch or summits and just get to relax and enjoy the view. I can't get that feeling these days unless I really push myself. Last summer I got a similar feeling reaching the summit of Slesse or the end of the Gunsight Traverse as I got the first time I got to the summit of Liberty Bell by the Beckey Route. I'm not saying that easier routes aren't fun anymore, but they are a different kind of experience. It's like what I told my friend about ice climbing: its a much different kind of fun than climbing good rock on a warm summer day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joblo7 Posted December 31, 2007 Share Posted December 31, 2007 self-transcendence is fragrance-beauty ego-agrandisement is endless-futility. virendra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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