Tristan Higbee: a hater?

There seems to be some confusion as to the feelings that Tristan holds for the gym and those who climb at the gym. I have made it a personal goal to get to the heart of all this animosity.

Upon first inspection Tristan is repulsed by the thought of a climbing gym and what is does to climbers, almost as though he has been conditioned to respond to any mention of the gym with abhorrence. His eyes get slanted nostrils flair and I believe I've even heard some choice words muttered under his breath.

Then, when pressed for information, he admits that it might be a good way to train during the winter. Last month he even proposed the thought of working at the gym... Tristan WORKING at the GYM. Hummmm.

This is a topic that might only be developed by Crisco or possibly Tristan. But I'm open to others opinions about climbing gyms and Tristan's anger problem.

So I found out about this thread through an email from a MP administrator, telling me that a thread entitled "Tristan Higbee: a hater?" had been started and that it seemed like a personal attack and that he would remove the thread shortly unless I confirmed that Clay was a friend of mine and that this thread was all in good fun.

Yes, Clay is a friend of mine, and this is all in good fun. He's even climbed (and liked!) a couple of my routes! Maybe this thread would have more meaning in the Northern Utah forum, or maybe a better name for the thread would be "Why do you hate gym climbing" or something to that effect...?

It's true that I personally don't like the gym. I find indoor climbing uninteresting and the atmosphere uninspiring. I don't like the gym rat/boulderer/almost skater-type attitude. Everyone climbs for different reasons. I climb to be by myself or with friends and forget everything that I find distracting or unpleasant in the real world. I climb because I like being physically and mentally challenged. I climb because I like being outside more than I like being inside. I don't really get any of that in the gym.

As for me admitting that the gym is a good way to stay strong during the winter... well, yeah. It is. As for me considering working there... It was a moment of weakness. (That, and I went in and asked the other day if they were hiring. They weren't :)

-Tristan

A perfect reply to what could have been the next flame thread tristan. Trashing a friend is all in good fun and calling him out is even better. Lets see if anyone jumps on the band wagon that really hates you.

I'm pretty sure Tristan isn't telling us the whole story. I think I heard that a family friend's poorly-trained gym bit him when he was a child.

You can imagine how he feels when unfeeling people bring their gym to the crag.

Tristan? I HATE that guy! Doesn't everyone?

Shawn Mitchell wrote:Tristan? I HATE that guy! Doesn't everyone?

I wanna kill the bitch!..no j/k...

why didnt you post this on regional?

I hate people who hate people who hate gyms. And I hate gyms.

Tristan Higbee wrote: It's true that I personally don't like the gym. I find indoor climbing uninteresting and the atmosphere uninspiring. I don't like the gym rat/boulderer/almost skater-type attitude. Everyone climbs for different reasons. I climb to be by myself or with friends and forget everything that I find distracting or unpleasant in the real world. I climb because I like being physically and mentally challenged. I climb because I like being outside more than I like being inside. I don't really get any of that in the gym.

That's interesting, these are some of the very reasons I only climb in the gym. I was a skater, so if I want to climb with friends it's the perfect place to go. And if I want to climb by myself I just go over to the crack, nobody ever climbs that thing. Getting out of your head and away from the stresses of everyday life is a mental exercise, it can be done anywhere - in the wilderness, in the gym, or in traffic! I don't think anyone can deny that gym climbing is physically challenging. As far as the mental side, well, once a girl at the gym told me I'm mentally challenged, so I guess it is! See, so the gym has all those things that you find outside... and a soda machine.

Sam Lightner, Jr. wrote:I hate people who hate people who hate gyms. And I hate gyms.

And Sam hates irony!

Yeah, Tristan and I are good friends. I was just giving him a hard time but I do think that peoples mental blocks against climbing gyms are hilarious. I've been a climbing instructor at the Quarry in Provo UT for 2 years and I've seen the benefits of what a gym can do for its members and the general public alike. It's a place to get strong and a great environment for non-climbers to get stoked on climbing.

I had a couple last night tell me how awesome taking the lead climbing class was for the wife because they climb together all the time and it's made them really close.

I climb outside as much as I can. I feel the need to be outdoors, but what's wrong with the gym?

Clay Allred wrote:but what's wrong with the gym?

Nothing is inherently wrong with the gym. I haven't been saying that gyms are terrible for everyone and that no one should go to them. As I said in my above post, I climb for certain reasons and "to get strong" (the only reason I'd really choose to climb in the gym) is currently not one of them. Yeah it's a good place for some, but it ain't for me. Different strokes for different folks.

-Tristan

Sorry I guess I should have made this regional, that's annoying. I can't delete it now either, hum.

Tristan Higbee wrote: I climb because I like being physically and mentally challenged.

I don't personally know Tristan, nor to a I have a problem with him or gym climbing...but I can believe nobody took advantage of this???

Have a great weekend and go outside (or inside - whichever you prefer)

D

doug s wrote: I don't personally know Tristan, nor to a I have a problem with him or gym climbing...but I can believe nobody took advantage of this???

Hmmmm... Totally set myself up for that one...

Tristan-
BYU, languages? Hmm. I went to BYU and happen to be bilingual. Do the math :)

If you're in Colorado, look me up.
Shawn Mitchell

Tristan . . . are you related to famous "hater" Clayton Bigsby?

metacafe.com/watch/291638/c…

I don't climb the gym but I can say that it is a good thing. If it keeps people away from the sitting on their ass watching TV it is a good thing. If it builds a sense of community it is a good thing. If all these people in the gym decided to be rock climbers, well, maybe not a good thing, but that's why the gym is there!