Are you a "Climber" if you only boulder?

Settling a debate. 

uh yeah

Yes. 

But for me, I tend to lose interest in a problem after the 6th attempt. YMMV. 

To me being a climber is a lifestyle in itself, so....

Are you a skater if you play hockey?

I think the answer is yes, and no.  It's context dependent.   

 If you're talking in the broad context of all the climbing disciplines (bouldering, sport, trad, up to mountaineering) then yes, bouldering is a sub-set of climbing.  But if you're being specific  within the climbing genre, then no.  

Example: You say to your mom, who knows nothing about climbing, "There are lots of climbers at the (climbing) gym," including the boulderers.    But to another climber, you say, "Oh, he doesn't climb, he only boulders."  YMMV

I guess it depends on what you consider "climbing". If you find ropecraft a prequisite to "real" climbing then no, unless you consider using it for development/inspection/rehearsal a satisfactory example. If "climbing" is movement then yes I would say a boulderer is a climber, more so than a route climber. Maybe top roping is the realest as you get to play with the gear that makes "real" climbers and you get to focus wholly on climbing.....ya know....movement.

If using gear makes you a climber, than what was Alex Honnold doing at El Cap this summer?

Just practice for climbing...

Is the boulderer wearing a shirt? And is there anyone there to see it?

If someone has experience with the other disciplines, but chooses to only boulder, that is legit. However, I would have a hard time taking a "climber" seriously if they didn't know how to tie a figure 8, set up an anchor, etc. 

Pebble Wrestling but never tying in with a rope is like fapping to porn versus a real relationship with a woman who wants to give you everything.

You can get off, but there is a whole 'nother world out there full of sights and sounds. And think of all the toys you get to play with. :P

So, does Johnny fapping at home have sex? Technically, yes....but it ain't the whole enchilada.

I think Kenny Powers would say, "I don't boulder. I climb real mountains...I'm not trying to be the best at exercising"

climbers are the worst

Jeremy Frey wrote:

If using gear makes you a climber, than what was Alex Honnold doing at El Cap this summer?

Alex Honnold used gear on El Cap many times before that solo ascent...

King Tut wrote:

 tying in with a rope is like fapping...

Rope & all other gear is just wanking.

Only movement over rock is climbing.

Kyle Tarry wrote:

The amount of crusty curmudgeon in this thread is unbelievable.

Of course bouldering is climbing.  How would it not be?

To all you "bouldering is just practice climbing" tough guys, remember that all climbing is just practicing for mountaineering.  If you're not runout above a sketchy piton in crampons with ice tools in your hands and a backpack on you're not a real climber. (/sarcasm)

HARUMPF!

Bouldering IS Climbing and High Balls are as real as it gets...

I just think it is a small part of climbing.

HARUMPF :P.

reboot wrote:

Rope & all other gear is just wanking.

Only movement over rock is climbing.

**snore**

Really bro? I've heard it since 1975...

Milennials are cute (and have fucking strong fingers).

Harumpf!

:P

King Tut wrote:

Pebble Wrestling but never tying in with a rope is like fapping to porn versus a real relationship with a woman who wants to give you everything.

You can get off, but there is a whole 'nother world out there full of sights and sounds.

So, does Johnny fapping at home have sex? Technically, yes....but it ain't the whole enchilada.

I mean in both instances you don't have to deal with all that extraneous bullshit...

Let me put it this way: we call it sport climbing, trad climbing, ice climbing, but not, you guessed it, boulder climbing. So no. Someone who only boulders is not a climber.