would you die for a climb?

Have you ever gone on a climb with this dedication and mindset?

NO! I dont think this is what climbing is about, at least for me. Climbing a fun 5.7 is just as rewardng as some of the hardest climbs have done.

No, not I. I think this happens more often in alpinism. At least I have read about alpinist who seem to be looking death in the eyes and continued on into danger. Maybe some r/x tradsters can chime in on this one.

Defenetly not, but I guess if I had to choose it would be while climbing.

No. But I don't mind if other people would, unless they have children, expect a rescue, endanger others, etc.

EMT wrote:Have you ever gone on a climb with this dedication and mindset?

no because its a failed thought process. You climb to finish not to die trying. In which case you never climbed it in the first place.A fools statement like that simply says I want to die and the is the most beautiful climb I can think of doing it on. on the other hand Accepting the risk of climbing, soloing etc area all part of the sport. When you tie in for your first TR you accept some sort of risk and it escalates from there. At some point you may find yourself as the next Steve House putting up burly and scary routes. Ask him if he'd ever die to climb some pile of rock and ice about which less than .001% of the world will even notice or care. Climbs like this are all about ego and don't do anyone any good. Climb what you love. Don't look at a climb an decided it would be a pretty was for my family to remeber me doing what I LOVE.

I love climbing and I've accepted all the risks that come with it; from a twisted ankle while bouldering, to bashing my head off the wall on a wicked whipper. I have yet to walk into a climb thinking I would die for it, but if it's part of the picture, I'll take the chance. Life is too short not to take chances, big or small.

No, absolutely not.

What would be the point? This seems like a silly question.

No.

I want to LIVE!!!

I really don't think that people are ever willing to die for a climb. I think they are willing to take the chance.

If you are willing to die, you're called a suicide jumper.

"No. But I don't mind if other people would, unless they have children, expect a rescue, endanger others, etc."

So you probably would mind? Haha, most people have one of those things.

Evan

There's a reason I use gear...

Yeah, I did one particular route in Eldo for all the wrong reasons. Almost fell twice and would be dead or mangled forever without a doubt.

Edit to add: It was worth it in the end.

Joshua Balke wrote:Climbs like this are all about ego and don't do anyone any good.

I disagree that it's about ego - to me it's more about obsession and passion.
Of course I wouldn't consciously go up to a climb with the intention of dying for it - I'm not suicidal - however, if, in my mind, it was so important to get up a certain climb no matter the consequences, I'd try it.

Heck no but I have been on climbs where I felt like I was gonna die.

EMT, were you expecting anyone to say yes?

The real question is 'would you be willing to die for a climb like Little Devil ?'

Perhaps another question, one that many serious climbers ponder:

"Would I die without climbing?" or, "Would I rather die than NOT climb?"

On the surface most would probably say "no." However, when consumed by single-minded passion, focus, and, accompanied by a solitary self-identity as a "climber" (with no other meaningful outlets in life), I believe this can lead to possible self-fulfilling risks that may increase the likelyhood of a fatal result.

This reminds me of that scene in Point Break where Bodhi and crew and hanging out outside of his house party talking about this very thing (in surfing context). I don't know anyone who consciously says "this is a climb I'm willing to die for", but I know plenty that have an easier time accepting long runouts or shoddy gear as a mandatory part of the game. Same goes for backcountry skiing. Some people are just better at not considering things.

I have done moves that if failed would result in death, but I did not go up on the route thinking "Iwill do this no matter what". Not so sure about dying, but I have been willing to get (and have) been pretty banged up from some falls.

Regarding what Joshua said about alpinism...House does mention in his book that he was willing to die to do the Rupal Face, but in the same vein, Mark Twight (who says himself that he should have died) doesn't shy away from saying that those who died on route failed. Slightly paradoxical if you ask me.

Yes, when I was doing a lot of solo mountaineering in CO (mostly non technical routes with 4th and some 5th class).

In particular one time on a 14eener in the Elks...it was mid autumn with questionable weather. At one point, I had a lot of doubts about continuing and was actually quite scared. But I made the decision that if I died I could accept that.

It was an incredible release of my fear. The successful climb is one of my most memorable with intense experiences...I could say it was spiritual.