Lay off. It was a (unexpected) gift from my wife for Father's Day. But yes, it was exactly like the South Park episode.

So my wife and I ended up in the back of the line in our group so we had a chance to meet and chat with the tourons who were also in the back. Ended up meeting a nice-enough younger dude from Florida.

So we're waiting around and I ask the guy what else he's done while visiting our great state of Colorado. He tells me that they did some "free climbing" in the Garden of the Gods last week.

My interest piqued, so I ask...."so you had a rope, pro, shoes?" He says "No." He was obviously calling bouldering free climbing. I pry some more. He says the highest they probably got was 50 feet.

At this point I'm a little horrified for the dude. But I leave well enough alone, figuring he's safe now. But then he drops this nugget on me:

"Yeah, I got my inspiration from some guy on 60 Minutes."

Ooof.

"Damn you Aleeeeeexxxxxx!" he yelled as he fell to his demise.

First, dude was from Florida and probably has no idea how high 50ft. is. And to do this because he saw a master on t.v.?
Hope he checked yes as a donor.

Anyone own a wingsuit I can borrow? I saw a vid on youtube, dosen't look that hard. I'm sure I can figure out how to land one of those things on the way down.

Totally F*****g lame dude!



HAHA! I loved that episode.

I saw a couple people bouldering/scrambling in sandals near a popular hiking trail at Devils Lake, WI. I was nearby trying an established problem with a pad, shoes, etc. and the guy mentions to me that he was inspired by "that guy on the cover of National Geographic." At least at the heights he was at the worst that could have happened was a jacked ankle and/or ego.

About a month or so ago, a friend and myself were in Eldo to climb a few things. And as we were hiking up to the Green Spur, a middle aged couple saw us carrying packs and a rope. The gentleman gave us a big smile and said, "ah, you boys going up to do some scrambling today?"

we replied, "yup."

he followed with, "Looks like yer takin' a lesson from Bear Grylls!"

I had a good little chuckle.

Shockabra!!!

So, being privy to working at a climbing wall in a certain retail establishment, I happen to think that this is no different than when the average Joe sees us scrawny little climbing rats and thinks, "Well, shit, if that little runt can do it then I sure as hell can!" Then they ask for the hardest route on the wall, a paltry 5.13. We politely suggest otherwise and they flail around on the 5.7 and realize that climbing isn't easy. However, at least these guys can learn from their hubris and be lowered to safety. Imitating free soloing? Not so much.

Tourists scrambling up stuff at Garden of the Gods is pretty standard. Tourist gulley is a 4th class slab that provides access to the base of a lot of climbs. A few times a year people scramble up and end up getting scared on the way down. Fire department comes to get them and they all get to pay a fine.

I saw that high wire dude over Niagara Falls last week and figure, 'hell yeah' I can slackline like that easy over maybe the 8 lanes of interestate by the overpass next week,..........

Woodchuck can you get a video of that please?

I'm gonna hold out for the money when they give me a TV 3 hour special all about it.