Why Do Some Climbers HATE Bouldering?

Marcus wrote:

Does it? I only found my way into a gym recently, and it's been a lot of fun to my surprise. It's not the same thing at all, it's a different sport that utilizes the same moves, but it's been fun nonetheless. I'd be curious why so many people hate gym climbing. I mean other than the fact that I've been outdoors since spring and am only now projecting 10c/d, and every time I see a "new" climber post about gym .12's and V5's I think I must be doing everything wrong.

Personally I got into climbing as a natural extension of being outdoors.  Hiking>backpacking>climbing etc.  Here in Boulder the gyms are super crowded and pretty obnoxious.  That's probably me just getting old and ornery, but it's like a combination of most of the things I don't like about climbing.  It's like a room of cliches.  haha

Scott McMahon wrote:

Personally I got into climbing as a natural extension of being outdoors.  Hiking>backpacking>climbing etc.  Here in Boulder the gyms are super crowded and pretty obnoxious.  That's probably me just getting old and ornery, but it's like a combination of most of the things I don't like about climbing.  It's like a room of cliches.  haha

Fair enough, as my own experience has been in areas with a much lower population density than where you are, the two gyms I've been to have always been relatively quiet. I can use my imagination to see how a crowded gym would be a different experience entirely.

Most of the people I see bouldering here on the gritstone of Coopers Rock WV are from the WVU Climbing Club and they have never been anything but cool, inclusive, friendly people to me.  Then again that could just be the West Virginia vibe which is super friendly in general.  I give the women and men bouldering all the credit in the world for their big cahonies - many of the classic problems at Coops finish high enough that when I venture onto one I generally start locking up at a certain height off the ground... I much prefer to be roped up.  But I also enjoy watching a good climber send a hard problem - I can't see how someone who truly enjoys climbing couldn't appreciate that and be pulling for (and learning from) the person sending.  

Briggs Lazalde wrote:

Lets stop the hate. Dislike the individual not the group

I think a wise old school climber once said something about all this, my apologies as I may be paraphrasing; 

"Bouldering is the path to the dark side. Bouldering leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

What we need to do is start hanging perma ropes on all routes outdoors. That way we can get back to pure climbing where you don't have to worry about placing gear, falling on a pad, or clipping a draw. You would be able to focus completely on pure climbing with the only worry being is my belayer awake or not.

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

Those aren't boulders, they're ice chunks. Boulders are made of rock.

Marcus wrote:

I think a wise old school climber once said something about all this, my apologies as I may be paraphrasing; 

"Bouldering is the path to the dark side. Bouldering leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

That guy is not wise. He is just a dumb person who hates a whole group of people for something they like to do.

-Alex McKenzie, defender of bouldering

Alex McKenzie wrote:

That guy is not wise. He is just a dumb person who hates a whole group of people for something they like to do.

-Alex McKenzie, defender of bouldering

Hey man, when 900 years old you reach...

Marcus wrote:

Hey man, when 900 years old you reach...

Pretty sure that Yoda free-soloed...unless the force is aid?

Marcus wrote:

Hey man, when 900 years old you reach...

what do you mean?

Alex McKenzie wrote:

what do you mean?

He's referring to a film made in a galaxy far, far away, long before your time, young one.

Bowens wrote:

He's referring to a film made in a galaxy far, far away, long before your time, young one.

Okay. BUT I KNOW ABOUT STAR WARS, I JUST DON'T really like a new hope. DOn't judge me.

Alex McKenzie wrote:

Okay. BUT I KNOW ABOUT STAR WARS, I JUST DON'T really like a new hope. DOn't judge me.

You're dead to me.

Aleks Zebastian wrote:

climbing friend,

this is been covered the manytimes before, yes?

it is for obvious because they are weak and pathetic, and cannot pull hard moves, and instead prefer jimmy-jackin' around with rope and "devices" and "gear" for countless hours, waiting for their partner to climb, staring at the butt cheeks and naughty harness crotch bulge of the partner, feeling quite special that they are off the ground 80', all this enjoyed more than actual climbing, it is too hard to pull on the small holds and do the radical more unique moves of boulder type, they would rather climb 70' of 5.10 or 5.11 to get to their crux, haha ha ho ho! myah!

I pooped myself a little when I read the words “jimmy-jacking.” Freak’n hilarious!

Seb303 wrote:

Its harder to die bouldering but much easier to get hurt.  I find it VERY boring and the views suck.  Uninspiring.  Not worth it.  Rather be climbing. 

Have you ever hiked up to Area A in Mount Evans, or Chaos Canyon in the Park? Those areas are just as inspiring as anywhere else on the planet. This isn’t a comment meant for some asinine response, “Have you ever been to the top of the Diamond.” I’ll stop you while you’re ahead, no crap those views and experiences are equally as awesome.

————————————————————————

The rest of my comment has nothing to do with your comment.

I love bouldering because I love climbing movement, scenery, trying hard and having everyone around supporting me while I equally support them. I find that putting my time into bouldering made every sport and trad route that much easier so I can enjoy the experience of being 40 to 1,500-ft off the deck instead of worrying about how runout I was over my last piece. Sure if you wanna be stuck climbing 5.8 trad because you hate on boulderers great, but bouldering, sport and trad only get better the higher the grade. Just don’t hold your breathe thinking you’re going to get there by standing in line for The Bastille Crack every weekend. 

I just don't get any thrill or motivation from pulling hard moves a few feet off the ground. I also don't like the possibility of getting hurt pulling hard moves 15 ft. off the ground (I'm 41 and getting injured sucks).I'd just rather enjoy climbing up high, even if the difficulty is dispersed over a hundred feet rather than "pure climbing movement" for 10-20 ft. 

Marcus wrote:

You're dead to me.

:(

It's partly a question of what kind of boredom/frustration you prefer.  Some people prefer falling off the same short sequence 100 times until they have it hard-wired, and gravitate to bouldering.  I prefer thrashing through brush, talus-hopping, and long hours of headlamp time, so I do... well, "peak-bagging," I guess.  To each his own.

Briggs Lazalde wrote:

So you're only allowed to enjoy or even do just one?

Who am I to tell people what they are allowed to do?  If you enjoy both types of boredom, more power to you -- you're a well-rounded mountaineer!