Mountain Project Logo

Favorite/helpful Sayings

Original Post
William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Id like to know what are others favorite or helpful sayings (mantras, reminders, slogans, chants as just a few examples of `sayings`) that they use when climbing or for climbing training/teaching? To calm, motivate or keeping yourself from being "to bold."

Any lessons you learned that can be condensed into a short saying?

One of my favorites that I repeat to this day (especially when leading in the mountains) to calm myself is: trust trust. Doubt doubt.

Thank you!

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Here's one that a more experienced guy taught me early on in trad leading: "less rack, more sack" is sometimes the answer. Less can be more.

T Howes · · Bend, OR · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 20

serenity now!

Ben Brotelho · · Albany, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 520

don't fuck up and die

-my old man

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

You're old man was straight forward, no misinterpreting that. Where'd you grow up ben? brawling and fucking in kindergarten; were you also selling cigarettes on the playground and black mailing teachers?

Ben Brotelho · · Albany, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 520

The dirty west...as in western NY. Pretty hardcore out there. Lots of prisons and trailer parks. And deer. A ton of deer.

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Jake you mentioned one the military taught you so ill share one the military taught me that applies to climbing/mountain environment:

speed is (a form of) security.

Kid Icarus · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 15

"Get your hands up in them guts"

and

"Bzaaat!"

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Kid Icarus is "Get your hands up in them guts" referring to a crack climbing "mentality"? I'm just curious because that's what my mind immediately went to.

cfuttner · · Chicago, IL · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 5

C'mon. Can't believe this wasn't the first one posted.
When in doubt, run it out.

pooler · · Albany, NY · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 20

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it

my old man talking about rubbers but it applies to alot of things

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

"Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it"

That's a good one. That's what runs through my mind when contemplating bringing the #4 along on unknown multipitch terrain and to bring the helmet or not.

pooler · · Albany, NY · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 20

yeah it's come in handy a few times

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.


- Mulla Nasrudin (13th century)
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Spread your legs and trust the rubber.

I always thought it goes like this...

Relax, spread your legs, and trust the rubber.

When somebody says one of my climbs is a sandbag....

I like to comeback with this.

"I can't help it if you have no skills"
Zeke6 · · Akron, Ohio · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 80

Of course people have heard "Just don't fall" Somehow it works ha

Not really a cute jingle "Don't place gear during the crux"

MTKirk · · Billings, MT · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 245
logan johnson · · West Copper, Co · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 315

From a buddy:
"Falling on a slab is like drowning in a bathtub; if you think it might happen- just stand up."

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

That saying Logan is a good one. Reminds me of a scene from the movie "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" where Little John is flailing, freaking out that he's drowning but he's only in 2-3inches of water.

hrdeyo · · Greenbay, WI · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0

Mind yur top knot

Gravity never sleeps, just waits for you to f@ck up

Eddie2170 · · Orange County, NY · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 0
Ben Brotelho wrote:don't fuck up and die -my old man
Me and my climbing partner were told this atop the first pitch of Shockley's ceiling, by a classic Gunks climber, and I hope I can still climb at his age. I have used this saying since.

If this was your father, that is awesome.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Favorite/helpful Sayings"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.