New Jimmy Chin/Jared Leto collaboration for Gucci and North Face ad. Leto climbs that hard?!

I’d actually pay a good chunk of change to have that pink thing as my ice cragging “belay jacket”

A Down puffy is criminally pedestrian and conformist, not to mention exploitative of geese, and so 10 years ago.  

Ok, this is kinda weird...

Fehim Hasecicwrote:

You didn’t bail, you sold out!

Well I can’t tell if your are serious or joking but either way you got a good laugh out of me!

And we all have to sell or trade something to survive in our current system.  Most people choose to sell their time and or knowledge in a more standard work environment.  Others sell their image, brand, appearance or body amongst other things.  I’ve definitely sold my knowledge and climbing ability and partly my image.  I honestly hope people don’t see that as a negative thing as I certainly don’t.  I like to believe I’ve made generally a net positive affect on climbing with the choices I’ve made.  But that is the way I see it looking out through my own eyes, others in the community might see it very differently.  And it’s not how you perceive oneself but how the collective community views you.  So who knows maybe you are right and I am a sell out.

Mikey Schaeferwrote:

Well I can’t tell if your are serious or joking but either way you got a good laugh out of me!

And we all have to sell or trade something to survive in our current system.  Most people choose to sell there time and or knowledge in a more standard work environment.  Others sell their image, brand, appearance or body amongst other things.  I’ve definitely sold my knowledge and climbing ability and partly my image.  I honestly hope people don’t see that as a negative thing as I certainly don’t.  I like to believe I’ve made generally a net positive affect on climbing with the choices I’ve made.  But that is the way I see it looking out through my own eyes, others in the community might see it very differently.  And it’s not how you see perceive oneself but how the collective community views you.  So who knows maybe you are right and I am a sell out.

Off topic but Stone Locals was great.

Mikey Schaeferwrote:

Well I can’t tell if your are serious or joking but either way you got a good laugh out of me!

And we all have to sell or trade something to survive in our current system.  Most people choose to sell their time and or knowledge in a more standard work environment.  Others sell their image, brand, appearance or body amongst other things.  I’ve definitely sold my knowledge and climbing ability and partly my image.  I honestly hope people don’t see that as a negative thing as I certainly don’t.  I like to believe I’ve made generally a net positive affect on climbing with the choices I’ve made.  But that is the way I see it looking out through my own eyes, others in the community might see it very differently.  And it’s not how you perceive oneself but how the collective community views you.  So who knows maybe you are right and I am a sell out.

Glad I made you laugh, twas a joke. What you do or anyone else to put food on the table and fund our hobbies whatever they may be is no concern of mine.

Ya'll cannot be surprised that climbers will continue to wrestle with the dueling needs of commercial climbing companies and the dream that climbing transcends our normal consumer identity.

We are living in America's Second Gilded Age, it is not shocking that many feel uncomfortable with the excess of high-fashion being paired with a past time like climbing that is an escape from the crass world of commercialism that is our county. Simply because Doug Tompkins "already did this" does not mean that everyone else has to shut-up and accept a new company leveraging climbing's trending popularity. Climbing existed long before gear companies were on the scene (thinking early Alps here). Climbing does not rely on corporations, corporations depend on climbing.

For every one person who makes their paycheck from climbing, there are at least a hundred who earn their paycheck so they can climb. 

There is a deep philosophical difference in this orientation to life. The value of each approach changes depending where you stand, but compromises will always be made when you start making your money by your passion. And I think this is what people are feeling with regard to this marketing campaign. 

Hello everyone,

I regret to inform you that I will be quitting climbing.  Now that my identity as a climber has been compromised by yuppie culture, I need to find a newer and more niche identity to attach my fragile sense of identity and self worth to.  If I am not "different" than the masses, I'm afraid that nobody will think I am "interesting" or "cool and rebellious" anymore.  I am incredibly saddened that it was a collaboration with Gucci, and a vaguely outdoors related brand who makes clothing that anyone can buy and wear regardless of whether they climb or not that brought this glorious era of my life to an end.  Perhaps if Jimmy Chin had not photoshopped out the rope, or if Jared Leto was not so handsome, this would not have happened.  I am saddened and sickened that people would try to make money doing what they love.  I would like everyone to know that I am quitting because of my ego, as I am threatened by those who spend money on clothing.

Best wishes,

Reese

Reese, 

You are most welcome to join us in the “skyaking” community (parachuting onto rivers in a whitewater kayak) 

Our numbers are small and have remained so for decades.  Be one of the few and the proud

(warning: because of low membership, dues are rather exorbitant)

Mark Pilatewrote:

Reese, 

You are most welcome to join us in the “skyacking” community (parachuting onto a river in a whitewater kayak) 

Our numbers are small and have remained so for decades.  Be one of the few and the proud

(warning: because of low membership, dues are rather exorbitant)

Maybe numbers have remained small where you are, but around here, it's trending bigtime. Just a bunch of posers these days.

Personally, I'm into SCUBA Climbing. You rock climb underwater cliffs wearing SCUBA gear. There's no bolted walls undderwater, so it's all protected by gear. It's great, because you can adjust your bouyancy to dial in the difficulty. It takes out all the challenge of rock climbing, but maximizes the amount of money you spend on gear, (We're talking trad gear PLUS SCUBA gear!). The high barrier to entry keeps out the riffraff, so it's very exclusive. Of course, you definitely need a dry-treated rope, or YGD.

Andrew Krajnikwrote:

Personally, I'm into SCUBA Climbing. You rock climb underwater cliffs wearing SCUBA gear. There's no bolted walls undderwater, so it's all protected by gear. It's great, because you can adjust your bouyancy to dial in the difficulty. It takes out all the challenge of rock climbing, but maximizes the amount of money you spend on gear, (We're talking trad gear PLUS SCUBA gear!). The high barrier to entry keeps out the riffraff, so it's very exclusive. Of course, you definitely need a dry-treated rope, or YGD.

You mean like this?

Mark Pilatewrote:

I’d actually pay a good chunk of change to have that pink thing as my ice cragging “belay jacket”

A Down puffy is criminally pedestrian and conformist, not to mention exploitative of geese, and so 10 years ago.  

Yeah, I got that jacket. It rules. 

Mark Pilatewrote:

You mean like this?

Similar, though this climber is doing it above sea level, so that makes it Deep SCUBA Soloing. (Don't let the rope fool you.)

Garry Reisswrote:

Ok, this is kinda weird...

If somebody told me this was a parody I would believe them without a second thought.

Mark Pilatewrote:

Reese, 

You are most welcome to join us in the “skyacking” community (parachuting onto a river in a whitewater kayak) 

Our numbers are small and have remained so for decades.  Be one of the few and the proud

(warning: because of low membership, dues are rather exorbitant)

Thank you for the invitation Mark, this should allow me to stay within a niche community for a longer period of time!  

Not to mention, I'll still be able to do a moderately dangerous activity in the outdoors and prove to everyone that I'm cool via Instagram.  Seems like a perfect fit!  Dues mean nothing to me, I will spend $$$ on gear/memberships but never designer clothing (that is icky).

Where do I sign up?

Reese Stanleywrote:

Hello everyone,

I regret to inform you that I will be quitting climbing.  Now that my identity as a climber has been compromised by yuppie culture, I need to find a newer and more niche identity to attach my fragile sense of identity and self worth to.  If I am not "different" than the masses, I'm afraid that nobody will think I am "interesting" or "cool and rebellious" anymore.  I am incredibly saddened that it was a collaboration with Gucci, and a vaguely outdoors related brand who makes clothing that anyone can buy and wear regardless of whether they climb or not that brought this glorious era of my life to an end.  Perhaps if Jimmy Chin had not photoshopped out the rope, or if Jared Leto was not so handsome, this would not have happened.  I am saddened and sickened that people would try to make money doing what they love.  I would like everyone to know that I am quitting because of my ego, as I am threatened by those who spend money on clothing.

Best wishes,

Reese

This is fucking pure comedy gold right here.  

PS - Still waiting for for Gucci & Northface to call me back.  My price has been lowered from $2000/day, to just gas money and lunch.  

Sam Cieplywrote:

Bring back cagoules!  Is that thing coated nylon?  I want one!

Jared looks like he’s cruising J-tree campsites turning water into wine

Summation:

Low quality, mass produced “gear” company teams up with high fashion design house. 

“Real” climbers squabble in a void over the ethics of the capitalist system within their ever growing “niche” community.

Well done y’all.

Garry Reisswrote:

Ok, this is kinda weird...

10/10 would wear all those puffy coats. Sherpa, Patagonia, Arceteryx, etc. are all pricey and status symbols. Can’t wait to have a real job where I can afford one of these bad boys. Also, if Jared Leto showed up to belay me in any of those pieces I’d hand him the rope and say spot me on this sketchy start bro.