I would like to add that the full joy of drinking while climbing comes in a can Dales Pale-Ale.

A quote from one of my local climbing champs Will Stanhope on the subject. In this quote he is referring to sending the East Face of Monkey Face wihtout clipping the bolts, 5.13d R.

"At first, the route felt impossible. Powerful, painful, and hopelessly long. Charlie and I ended up bringing at least 5 PBRs for every session. After one attempt my fingers would be bleeding and I'd need a little pain relief to give it a second burn. A couple low buzz American beers did the trick."

Drinking while climbing/belaying is something I've never understood. It's an activity where you literally have someone else's life on the line.

Look at other activities where you are trusting other people with your life, and vice versa, driving and marksmanship (This is a reference, and I will not respond to and pro-gun or anti-gun trolling).

Drinking and driving is generally frowned upon, for obvious reasons.

Any professional shooting range will not allow any alcohol on the firing line; if there is a bar at the facility, one drink makes the range of limits; and the range master will remove people who are intoxicated (I have never seen this happen, because people who go to professional ranges take this as common sense, although if you go to a public place, all bets are off. I've been to a public range once, and had about 10 weapons pointed at my face by inattentive people. Never again.).

Anyways, I guess one could argue that climbing while drinking is okay if you partner is aware of it or participating in drinking, as well. You're only risking your own lives, right? If you crater, its your own fault, so who cares?

Well, the people who care are the RMR, YOSAR or whomever needs to pull your injured self/corpse off the mountain.

Or worse, say you place bad gear and pull a block off a wall in Eldo, and it hits the party below you. Better hope the BoCo fuzz doesn't smell PBR on your breath when you finally get off the cliff. And you better have a good attorney.

Just save it for after the climb and take the time to savor it. What's wrong with that?

beer is for p******. sour mash and lots of it if you want to send! I always climb and belay better when i'm stumbling. yeah and please say something to me about responsibility when i'm wasted. better yet, go play golf.

Oh hell... I hope he didn't spill his beer!

Hey 'The Larry, thanks for the PBR. Nothing beats some PBR after a climb, that's for sure. ...and maybe while on belay too, or have one in that oversized chalkbag on route....yeahh,,,PBR is good.

There's a big difference between a beer or two and climbing or belaying and getting drunk and belaying or climbing just like there is a big difference between a beer or two and driving and drunk driving. I have no problem with a beer or two at the crag but climbing or belaying while intoxicated is just stupid. period. If a drunk belayer were to drop a climber they should be prosecuted just like a drunk driver who kills someone.

I brew my own beer in old Gatorade bottles so I can take it with me climbing. Having a refreshing drink and leading some sport climbs is fun and relaxing. Next you are going to tell me I'm not allowed to skip bolts.

Drinking water is great for maximum performance on that runout route at your limit. People are usually drinking when climbing comfortable routes and not worrying about hydration to climb a couple pitches with a 30 minute approach. Don't hate and don't tell other people what to do when it is not affecting you.

I Never drink (much) when climbing, did it plenty of times bouldering, and had quite a few stiches on a barked shin once, owing to the balt and marley (hic!)

Now smoking while climbing, that deserves a whole nuther thread. In my mind, climbing and the mean green go together like bread and butter. But then I'm an old trad hippie anyway.

If I could just get that Dr. to give me a prescription for my "sewing machine" leg..........

Pre, post, during, beer is a wonderful additive to a climbing day. Kids, however, are largely a nuisance at the crag. If my loud mouthed, irresponsible drunkenness discourages you from infesting my climbing area with those little cragroaches, then my work is complete.

99% of those bolts you like to clip were drilled by someone under the influence of something.

GeorgeKennedy said:
"Meanwhile, I'll have another."

I wasn't talking about the people driving 180 mph inches from one another; I was refer to you, driving down the highway at 80 mph. Do you wear a helmet while you drive? That would surely clear this up if so.

--Marc

a gigantic THANK YOU is a must to you all....

this post brings new meaning to the phrase LOL.....maybe FOOMCLOL
(fall out of my chair laugh out loud!)

and btw I belay quite well with a beer in hand :)

I happen to be an amazing multi-tasker with important matters in hand...yes... pun intended

safety first, fun always...what else is the point of being alive?????