Does climbing make you start to climb weird things!?

So I'm in my apartment and stairing at the molding and frame work. Then I try to climb it!

I'm in my kitchen looking at the knobs and handles on cabinets and thinking: what great foot holds!

As I examine buildings from the outside, I consider the grade for scaling the outside corner.

Does climbing rocks make you see climbing everywhere and in everything?

In addition to the normal first questions one usually needs answered upon encountering a typical object in this world, oddly, the question of its climbability seems to enter more frequently than ever, ever since I have taken up the persuit of climbing.

Am I crazy or has anyone else felt this way?

I climb the pillar at the gas station when I get gas. Good crimps and tough in street shoes :)

The other day I tried to remember what it was like to look at a picture of a mountain or wall and NOT mentally trace the features from bottom to top, imagining a line up it.

I failed.

I use the high step technique when climbing on the kitchen counter to get into the cupboards. The bottom edge of the cupboard has a lip that makes a great undercling for the fingers while stepping up (and trying to use the holds for balance only, and not rip the cupboard off the wall). I think these kitchen moves help improve techniques for outdoor climbing. If not, at least it allows you to get to your food.

I've used chimney, core, & stemming techniques to perform better

These guys have a pretty sweet place for lowball buildering. I just have a three door traverse to a short hall chimney section... And as for weird; I'm painting my house and often think of free and aid ratings for some of the retarded moves I use to compensate for not having enough ladder.
youtube.com/watch?v=tlPk9Yk…

I used to work quite a bit up in Cody, WY. When I wasn't sifting through the plethora of real, awesome bouldering up there, the Holiday Inn offered some slopey problems on the rock pillars in the front, which go for 2 stories. Highball buildering, in steel toes, sans crash pads. In case you're wondering, hotel staff is not appreciative. Especially if you're not actually staying there. "Not everybody likes us, but we drive some folks wild." (Hank 3 lyrics)

+1 for looking at mountains and trying to not see what you could be climbing on it. It's just beautiful in a different way.

Chris Drover wrote:The other day I tried to remember what it was like to look at a picture of a mountain or wall and NOT mentally trace the features from bottom to top, imagining a line up it. I failed.

Mark Twain would say it takes some of the beauty out of the mountains. I'm not sure weather I agree or not, but I don't want to go back to my old way of looking at things.

I get especially happy when moving things with awkward hand holds. Bonus points when the person helping you move can't hold it up.

I climb my fireplace and constantly check things for holds (everything). I also rate buildings and climbable things "looks like an 8+ if you skip the obvious jug". I also go though people's vacation photos on Facebook so that I can look in the background for potential climbs. I have a bad climbing addiction.

To answer the OP, you will notice holds and climbability of stuff the rest of your life and everywhere you go. It gets much more acute when you are in places with limited climbing prospects, like Kansas. Non climbing friends will catch you rubbing your hands sensuously over hold-like features on public buildings and wake you up out of the trance you'll be in, and you will be embarassed. Stone buildings will interest you to no end. It not only never stops, it gets more intense over the years.

And it makes unrequited love virtually meaningless ;)

I grade tree climbs.

Climbed an indoor spiraling 3 story rock fireplace at family friends home in Colo Springs, and taped it on old VCR back in mid 80's. They still don't know of my ascent. Climbed another fireplace on a ski trip, and freaked out all my elderly condo mates. Where else do you get to practice 'mantling' on a real mantle?

Yep, I'm pushing 30 now and still fantasize about climbing random things. People may think that going to a playground is kind of creepy for a guy my age, but with a little creativity it can be great fun. Don't get the wrong idea, I go there alone. Keeping the balance on parralell bars isnt as easy when the kids are around. Lets see, what else...

-Practicing heel hooks as I traverse the crossbar at the soccer field close to the house
-Driving by mansions and looking for potential lines.
-Planning my escape route via underclings and heel hooks out of my apt. in case of a fire.
-Looking at cracks in the sidewalk around my house, taking a guess at which cam would fit best, and then actually going out and checking to see if I got it right.
-Wishing that the heat/ac vents on the floor in my house were on the ceiling so I could place a nut in one of the slots, maybe practice clipping before bed?
-Practicing equalization of anchors on the bathroom towelbars, coat hook, door knob, etc.

Guess I have a bit of a problem myself.

Great short story about urban climbing in the 1970's (in Oklahoma) and also how Oklahoman's transformed highways into steep/overhung routes

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I'm with you Paul, can't grab anything the same anymore. Anytime I pick up anything resembling a rope, like cords for electronics, I start to coil it the way I would a rope, shuffling it through my hands. And I have a nasty habit of staring at rocks while I'm driving ;)

Here in Gunnison a nice WI4 flow forms off of the back of NAPA. There are also several nice hand cracks betwean some buildings downtown. In denver there is a 3 story #2 handcrack betwean two brick buildings. Keep looking!

Climbing is where you find it.

I can also do a hand traverse with the crimper ledge on the bricks at the top of the door.

Mike Lane wrote:To answer the OP, you will notice holds and climbability of stuff the rest of your life and everywhere you go. It gets much more acute when you are in places with limited climbing prospects, like Kansas. Non climbing friends will catch you rubbing your hands sensuously over hold-like features on public buildings and wake you up out of the trance you'll be in, and you will be embarassed. Stone buildings will interest you to no end. It not only never stops, it gets more intense over the years.

its true, well said mike.

Garden pipes burst, spraying a fountain of water at minus 10 up the side of a school building back in the early 90's. I brought my tools to school and climbed the 15 ft. ice tower the next morning before the kids got to school. Principal didn't think it was very amusing but ice was superb.

Mike Lane wrote: it gets more intense over the years.

Actually, I have to say that while my obsession with climbing continues unabated, my fascination with climbing architectural features has waned to the point of invisibility. Maybe I don't get out enough, the Rio does have excellent rock.

There was a guy who rapped off his balcony in a fire in Denver not long ago.

But understand. About ten years ago, I worked a shift that clocked out around 5am. I walked home as it was close by, and low and behold to my bewildered eyes: a bank with rock exterior walls. I'm sure you can see where this is going. Yup, one day took my shoes and did it, wonderful traverse and vertical problems. Darn dog next door to the bank gave me away. Unfortunately I didn't escape in time. Cops had me on the ground at gunpoint flat on my belly and took me in for trespassing. I know, dumb dumb dumb, if it wasn't for that damn dog! :)

I worked as an auto tech and on one of my test drives noticed the back of Target had a great area to practice climbing. And since it was fall/winter I would take my ice tools and crampons and go over at lunch and have a good time.

And it is hard to look at mountains without thinking of a possible route on them. When I hike with a friend of mine, I also have a tendency to look down at the rocks and imagine being something of an ant size being and wonder, what if....

Juan