Sport vs Trad Analogy

Ben Lyon wrote:For me, this pretty much sums it up: I hate sport climbing. The end.

Pay no attention to Ben, he has Paris Hilton posters on his bedroom wall.

JL

I think in terms of a food analogy for sport vs. trad.

Sport climbing is like going to a decent restaurant and ordering a meal. You get a nice dining experience without having to work for it.

Trad climbing is like preparing a big meal at home, starting with going to the market for the steaks and vegetables; starting up the grill; chopping up the veggies; etc. etc.; and getting it all finished at the same time. You get a nice dining experience plus the satisfaction of having prepared it all yourself.

If you want to talk about bouldering, I'd compare that to making homemade Twinkies. You put out a lot of time and effort, but what you end up with is still just a Twinkie.

JL

Ryan Kane wrote:bouldering is like a bunch of underage kids trying to "hey mister" outside the liquor store

Hey, hey, hey.

Having done both of the above, I think we should accord bouldering a little more respect. Go do Cocaine Corner, the Kor Lieback, Slashface, White Rastafarian, etc., and you'll know what I mean.

I'm not sure what kind of bouldering some of you do, but I give alot of it greater merit than sport climbing. Except when you're climbing in a beanie with no shirt, you've got 5 pads with you, your non-climbing girlfriend wearing a bikini top, a chalk bucket and a whole posse to spot you on a V0.

Trad climbing is like going to a byob party where everyone has already broken their bottles on the floor when they are done with them and you aren't allowed to wear shoes.

errr...ummm.
it's more like sport climbing is like riding a bicycle with training wheels and trad climbing is like riding a Harley

I'm glad to see everyone got their moneys worth out of this thread. Now my drunk ass is going to bed. The fact that that rhymed is pure coincidence.

Sport climbing is like skiing a groomed run at the ski area. Trad climbing is like backcountry skiing with 24" of fresh powder. They are both fun at times! I prefer fresh powder over groomers.

So how does everyone feel this morning?

Trad climbing - An adventure for exploration, exposure and take my mind off of things.
Sport climbing - A break from the norm - a social hang-out/workout after the 9-5.
Bouldering - pushing my limits for moves.

Ergo:

Trad climbing - a trail run to a peak. What is up there?
Sport climbing - a jog in the park with pals. Having fun?
Bouldering - a 5k race on pavement. Who is faster?

Paul Barnes wrote:Having been around since it was all just climbing, and bolts were only for really hard/blank sections (ie; no other means of protection), let me be the first to say IT'S ALL JUST CLIMBING. It's what we do for fun...dammit. This split between disciplines is divisive and just plain stupid. You have gear and know how to use it...fine. It does present you with more opportunities. Just got a rack of draws, 2% body fat, and climb 5.13...fine. Smoke a bowl and get over yourself. Both will be adequately equipped and equally scared shitless at...let's say...ummm... BIG GREEN, for instance, ... so who cares ??? REALLY. Just my opinion...worth exactly what ya paid for it.

Paul, I ought to smack you in the mouth for that one. What do you mean, "divisive and stupid"? What will my drunken rants center around while poking the fire? Who will I scoff at when we go to a "mixed" crag? Just where do you get off? Furthermore, it was that ultra fire ear belay that would have kept you off the deck on Joke The Chicken, at said SCARY PLACE, when you realized the brevity of your siuation...I bet you would've taken a bomber stopper placement half way up...hard to do that with a bunch of draws, a pink polo shirt (collar popped), some manpris, and an organic, vegan, free range, taco or somesuch...Sunset in two weeks! I'll meet you under Bromel's Route after third period. Your in a heap o' trouble.

...I mean, I'm sorry sir, don't kill me.

J. MAN wrote:Sport climbing is like skiing a groomed run at the ski area. Trad climbing is like backcountry skiing with 24" of fresh powder. They are both fun at times! I prefer fresh powder over groomers.

I think this is a pretty apt analogy, but I'd simplify it to say that trad climbing is like backcountry skiing....sometimes you end up with 24" of fresh powder with no one around for miles, and sometimes you end up with a nice breakable crust. When it's good it's the best, and when it's bad it can be brutal, but it's always an adventure.

Of course, now all we've done is compare one outdoor sport to another.

All these climbing/alcohol analogies (while funny) avoid one important point- there is only one climbing subset where you can safely drink and climb and the beverage of choice is usually warm beer, not wine coolers. But since warm beer was supposed to go with...

I have been hit by the full circle implications here and am living completely in the moment. Reveling in its completeness.

Peace. Out.

J. MAN wrote:Sport climbing is like skiing a groomed run at the ski area. Trad climbing is like backcountry skiing with 24" of fresh powder. They are both fun at times! I prefer fresh powder over groomers.

So what are the analogies between lift skiing, BC telemarking, and snowboarding? You can't use "Skiing 2 feet of fresh powder is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.", or "...like flying!". Although true, it has been said.

Sport is winding up in the next hotel room with the blonde yah met on the slope today and the bar tonight.
( absolutely no commitment keyword, fun ! )

Trad is always a first date with the girl of your dreams who's dad demands to meet you.
( If your not sure you want it... much better to make sure before you start! )

Sport climbing is kinda like taking a horse to the keg party... if you put peanut butter on the horses mouth, it's gonna look like the horse is talking.

-Glenn

Paul Barnes wrote: Oh....I like that one...alot. Lets make it like riding a crotch rocket vs. a harley though. Yeah, that's PERFECT. (and it oughtta get my friend from Alabama plenty fired up too...which is nice) But again...in the final analysis both would still just be RIDING.

Sport Climbing is a riding a Vespa...wearing a scarf...that matches your socks and your messenger bag.

Harley's are to trad in one way...lots of gear required. I've never broken out the tool kit on my Honda along the side of the road...How bout that Harley? Oh, and let's race one time...

John Langston wrote:10:41 in the morning and my pants are off!!

Aren't you suppose to be in Indian Creek sending something?

He probably is at the creek, they have wi fi now. With an Iphone you can check out this thread to see if they are typing stuff about you.

Oh yeah, trad climbing is why what little hair I have is turning white
sort climbing is why my elbows hurt

and bouldering is why I have arthritis in my knuckles.

Forgot the analogy thing.

A lot of sport climbing but not all is like fast food not that memorable
Trad climbing is like a fine meal at a good restaurant
Bouldering is like a potluck with your best buds

Sport climbing meets trad climbing.