Messner's inteview in Gripped Magazine

[Zoran]

I can't present all interview since is in paper magazine but it's really interesting. At one moment he mention drugs as one of the big issues in modern climbing.

 

He probably meant performance enhancement drugs ... Issue is that climbing is not regulated sport like boxing or cycling. What do you think about this?

 

We mostly discuss sponsorships and other issues but never mention drugs as problem.

 

He gave great compliment to USA climbers saying there are about 20 great professional climbers in US, 10 in Europe and few in Japan.

 

He also was talking about David Lama (how Red Bull used him) and how Christian Stangl cheated. Reason for that was great pressure to break into elite. Some climbers will do anything to get into elite circle of top professional climbers.

Edited May 11, 2011 by Zoran

[Edlinger]

I

He gave great compliment to USA climbers saying there are about 20 great professional climbers in US, 10 in Europe and few in Japan.

 

 

Kind of a joke. Professional climbers in North America get free shoes, harnesses, bumper stickers, patches for chalkbags, and an occasional plane ticket here and there. The very best 2-3 (David Graham etc.) get like 12 K a year to live on.

[num1mc]

Kind of a joke. Professional climbers in North America get free shoes, harnesses, bumper stickers, patches for chalkbags, and an occasional plane ticket here and there. The very best 2-3 (David Graham etc.) get like 12 K a year to live on.

 

So what? Do we need to go on strike for them or something?

[Zoran]

Messner was talking about quality of the climbing not about quality of the climbers life. There are not many professional climbers who can live from sponsors but still some climbers want to break into that circle.

[G-spotter]

Speaking of drugs, is Messner still talking about how he found the yeti?

[ivan]

"you take drugs danny?"

"everyday."

"so what's the problem?"

[dougd]

By drugs, would he have meant Diamox?

 

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