Mountain Project Logo

Topics sure to start a fight amongst climbers

Original Post
Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5

In the confinement period, and just for the fun of it, I would like to gather a serie of statements that are sure to start endless war between climbers.
Below are some I thought of.

Always place the prussik above the rappel device
Always place the prussik below the rappel device
Climbing gyms are for noobs
Totem makes bad cams
A black Totem is useless
Crack climbing is dumb
Hexes are stupid
A sling is as strong as a cordelette
Tricams are the worse
Black Diamond is the Walmart of climbing gear
Climbing during the Covid pandemic is totally ok
Climbing during the Covid pandemic should be punish by death
Sport climbing is for pussies
Trad climbers are not as good climbers as sport climbers
Link cams are the best cams in the world
Whipping shouldn't happened
Clif bars taste like horse shit
2 nomics is all you need to do everything
Approach shoes is a stupid/great idea
You should climb multipitch with a pack on
You should climb multipitch with no pack
Alpinism and minimalism don't go/must go together
You should never/always tied a knot at the ends of the rope when rappelling  
Grigri is the only belay device you should use

Enjoy
And please, share more :)

DISCLAIMER: this is not a thread to start a fight but rather one to make fun of our endless (and sometimes useless) debates that are part of the climbing community but which are also part of what makes this community so great.

Dylan Colon · · Eugene, OR · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 501

How could you leave out:

Top roping is(n't) real climbing, and top rope sends (don't) count.

Scott D · · San Diego · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 0

If you knot dyneema you will die
If you knot dyneema you will not die

Double/triple fishermen > euro death knot 

It's okay to tie in with a bowline
Tricams are essential
Grigri ___________________ (insert any word)
Hexes are better than cams
Cams are better than hexes

Gumby King · · The Gym · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 52

You forgot to add:

"Tradiban is the greatest!"  

Matt Maglin · · Bremerton, WA · Joined Feb 2019 · Points: 13

Mentorship is useless

Frank Stein · · Picayune, MS · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 205

All of these are absolutely true. What is the controversy?

Cory B · · Fresno, CA · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 2,593

Dogs at the crag
Babies at the crag
Hammocks at the crag
Bluetooth speakers at the crag
what is a local?
Covid-19 and climbing

Jon Rust · · Chesterbrook, PA · Joined Aug 2017 · Points: 0

even people who love hexes know they're stupid

mountainhick · · Black Hawk, Franktown, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 120

Sport climbing is neither.
Bouldering isn't climbing
Retrobolting routes is hunky dory for protecting those without the skills or gonads to lead them in original style
Climbing should be made safe for all in all circumstances
Free soloists are heros
Free soloists are idiots contributing to other wannabee's demises
People who are injured or die climbing should be respected vs shamed on public forums
It is your responsibility to point out others potential mistakes or unsafe practices
To be asked on a second date you should already know how to do everything
Offwidths are hard and should be graded harder because I don't have the ability
Grading should be adjusted for my ability level
Tricams are essential
Learning to lead trad with passive pro is necessary
We hate old climbers
We hate young noob climbers
Throwing tantrums over one's climbing failures is cool
Screaming to make the move is SO cool!
Getting to the top is the goal!
Hanging on pro is OK, you still sent the route dude
A few microtakes are OK, you still sent the route dude
If you watch someone or belay them on a route, you can't onsight it, you know too much
There's no such thing as a second onsight
My shoes are the best shoes
My shoe rubber is the best rubber
My beta is better than your beta
These cams are better than those cams (or nuts or belay devices or ascenders or ice tools or clothes etc etc)
ATCs are dangerous
Hip belays are never appropriate
Using a cordelette is stupid
Using the rope to build and anchor is stupid
PAS are stupid
EDK is fine
EDK will kill you
Using a 10 year old fuzzed rope is OK/not OK
You have a van, you're not a dirtbag
Shame on you for your carbon footprint
YGD, but COVID19 won't kill me
PBR is great beer!

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5

Forgot one I really like: "Chalk is aid"

W K · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2018 · Points: 167

gates out?? or GATES IN??

Andrew Krajnik · · Plainfield, IL · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 1,739
Gumby King wrote: You forgot to add:

"Tradiban is the greatest!"  

Too soon... or not soon enough.

Patrik · · Third rock from Sun · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 30

Downclimbing skills are ...
Offset nuts are ...
5.9+ routes are ...
Soft catch is ...

 ... needed/better/pain in the ass/impossible/over rated ...

Zach Holt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 275

I cleaned up that litter you left on your project. 

Lone Pine · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2014 · Points: 0

>Ground up bolted runout ascents are dumb/bold/dangerous/should be retrobolted
>Rap bolting is for cowards
>you have to hang your draws for it to count as a redpoint (on anything easier than 5.12.) Otherwise it is a pinkpoint

Edit to add: A while back I really got into it with a friend who thought I would perfectly acceptable to rap bolt at a crag that has been established (as far as I know) 100% ground up

Andrew Miller · · Knoxville, TN · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 726

@North Carolina:

- Rap Bolting

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5
Yuri Rodea wrote: Any discussion on class, race,, or social demographics etc that climbing or outdoor sports deal with.

I was thinking more about climbing specific topics, what you mentionned can create shit storms in most settings...

W K · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2018 · Points: 167
Artem Vasilyev wrote:

Oh fuck here we go 

Gates in, obviously. 

gates in 4 lyfe

Rock Climber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2015 · Points: 309

Literally anything right now ... climb less, type more

Sawyer W · · NH · Joined May 2018 · Points: 0
Ska ggs wrote: Literally anything right now ... climb less, type more

Hey man, I take exception to that! Climbers are the most easy going bunch around and this is the hill I choose to die on.

Dylan Pike · · Knoxville, TN · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 555

Bolts next to cracks.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Topics sure to start a fight amongst climbers"

Log In to Reply
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.