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is it me? Or do climbers suck?

Tradiban · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2004 · Points: 11,610

You know what kind of people are really great? Dumb people. Seriously, fuckin heart of gold them folks. Never do ya wrong and talk with respect to everyone, including jerk-off climbers.

Climbers are elite intellectual pissants because they participating in an elite activity that's off limits to those who just can't bring themselves to speak their mind and roll out all the filth inside. Be proud that you are a climber because, gosh darn it, you are better than everyone else.

And please quit your bitching, no room for your kind here.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

this thread needs more memes

michelle w · · las vegas, nv · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 0
Dave Kos wrote:

this thread needs more memes

What is a memes? I have thought of being a jerk to some but couldn't bring myself to do it.

Bob . · · lyons, co · Joined May 2012 · Points: 10

Meh, I used to think that because someone's a climber, they must be OK.  I quickly realized we are all just a bunch of assholes like the rest of society.

goingUp · · over here · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 30
Matthew Navarro · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 10
michelle w wrote:

I really like climbing. On the other hand I have come to the fact that 98% percent of climbers suck. Its all about them. What happen to sharing an experience? Why does your opinion matter more? Who the hell are you? Nobody... just like me so get off your high horse. 

Two Reasons; You either hang out at a gym where people climb for exercise and haven't discovered themselves through the art of movement or you simply hang out with too many boulderers...

Big B · · Reno, NV · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 1

Michelle,

it looks like you live here in #sendcitynotsincity... which generally promotes self absorbed douchebaginess ...but there are some people that live here who are nice.... maybe look up jersey girl or cassondra  here on mp both are great ladies and more than likely would be willing to climb with you(I'm assuming here), and let you lead or teach you how to lead, pick areas, routes, etc..

BigNobody · · all over, mostly Utah · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 10

Michelle, it's been that way for decades. My theory :  it's because most of us were never good at anything else. And somehow we think climbing makes us cognizant, better human beings, because we support companies like Patagonia, and because we are so much more in tune with nature than Jim Bob in the cubicle over. The cure for cancer still isn't at the chains people.

JAtkinson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2013 · Points: 1,411

prollly cause ur in vegas

SMarsh · · NY, NY · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 37

Climbers, as RGold has said, can be wonderful, selfless people.  He's a good example himself.

But climbers are all different in their goals, hopes and limitations.

How do you find your partners, Michelle?  Does someone at the gym say, "I'm going to climb at RR tomorrow?  You want to go?"  Do you then say, "Yes."  And do they then tell you where to meet them or how they will pick you up?

Or do you go further into the conversation and ask them about what level they want to climb, how they intend to pick climbs, who else is coming and all other sorts of clues about what the day will be like?  Do you tell them what you want and ask them if it fits their plans for the day?

I recommend that you try to take more control over your choices of partners.  The discussion before climbing can tell you whether you fit in with that person, on that day, on that trip. Even people who are really, really generally compatible are not compatible on every trip and every climbing day.

It's easier on you if you have a target of what you want to do and communicate those expectations before you get out for the day.  If the conversation proves that you're not going to get what you want, then you can politely bow out.  (Oh, I need to go to my mom's ...or I need to work that day ... or I am feeling really beat and will try to join you some other day.)

At my gym, there are some folk that I would be happy to go outdoors with.  But based on indoor experience, I'm sure that certain people and I would not mesh outdoors at all.

goingUp · · over here · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 30
SMarsh wrote:

 If the conversation proves that you're not going to get what you want, then you can politely bow out.  (Oh, I need to go to my mom's ...or I need to work that day ... or I am feeling really beat and will try to join you some other day)

Although I am completely guilty of this as well, if one is looking for openness and honesty, you could even tell them the truth, of "that plan sounds good, but doesnt mesh with my objectives, style or plan, lets find another day to find something that fits both of us", or "ill gladly be your belay bitch on that route if we can get on x as well", 

I respect people who tell me No to my face more than people who blow smoke or flake.

SMarsh · · NY, NY · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 37

GoingUp, I agree entirely.

I'd rather that.  But I do know folk, often women, who are uncomfortable with clearly stating that something isn't what they want.  Sadly.  It's not a great relationship-builder.

And I least like people who agree to meet and then disappear.

cragmantoo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 175
Tom Caldwell · · Clemson, S.C. · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 3,623

Lots of "thirsty" climbers in Vegas? I imagine this is the case with most high profile climbing areas. Maybe they were just trying to impress you with their resume. I've had a local Vegas climber tell me that people there suck, but he was closely tied to the entertainment/casino industry. I wouldn't be surprise if Sin City created an environment where people aren't as genuine. Quality partners are out there, but they probably already have their regular partners.

caesar.salad · · earth · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 75

It might be because you live in Vegas. 

Nick Drake · · Kent, WA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 651
Anonymous wrote:

IAlso, are you really ready to be calling the shots? I mean, you're relatively new to climbing. Have your partners slowly groomed you to be leading? Hopefully, that's taking place and you'll soon be making the transition but, are you really ready to be leading Trad, for example?

She said two years. I had a couple grade IV 5.9+ alpine routes after two years. You shouldn't rely on your partner to "slowly groom" you for anything, do your own research and then ask them for feedback only when needed. Blindly following one person as a mentor is a great way to pick up bad habits (we all have some, me included). 

aikibujin · · Castle Rock, CO · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 300
michelle w wrote:

I agree, how do you feel when your partner runs the show every time you go out? I just want to climb, pick some of the route once in awhile and have a good time enjoying the outdoors.

Have you made any contributions to running the show? Do you suggest areas to visit, or even take it upon yourself to make plans?

Too often I've met people who says, "yeah man! I'm totally available to climb! Let me know!" But then it's always up to me to make plans and invite them to go climbing. If I don't make plans then I never hear from them again. It's really refreshing to meet someone who says, "I want to go here and climb this route. Do you want to go?"

But I guess it's also entirely possible that I'm one of the narcissistic sucky climbers you're talking about, and no one wants to invite me to go climbing.

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Christina kalb · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 886
michelle w wrote:

I really like climbing. On the other hand I have come to the fact that 98% percent of climbers suck. Its all about them. What happen to sharing an experience? Why does your opinion matter more? Who the hell are you? Nobody... just like me so get off your high horse. 

I can say that I've met and climbed with both types... those people who want to do only what they want and don't listen to you, and those who want to work to have a shared experience.  I've been climbing over 10 years, so it's is not always related to experience.  All I can say is that there are people out there who don't suck, so keep looking for them.  It can be frustrating, but you will find them.   

Kevin R · · Boulder, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 290
michelle w wrote:

I really like climbing. On the other hand I have come to the fact that 98% percent of climbers suck. Its all about them. What happen to sharing an experience? Why does your opinion matter more? Who the hell are you? Nobody... just like me so get off your high horse. 

My guess is the problem is you.  I'm not trying to come across as harsh.  It's just that if you have a problem with 98% of climbers the chances are far better that you might suck a bit, then 98% of climbers actually suck.  It's totally possible that you really have just met the shittiest people in Las Vegas through climbing, but every time I've met a Vegas local, they seemed pretty cool.  I guess I could have just lucked out, and met the 2% that don't suck though.  

I'm not saying you suck as a person, it just seems like you are quick to get defensive.  For example, you've only been climbing for two years, are just getting into trad, and only climb 5.7, so you are pretty inexperienced (I could be wrong, maybe you climbed 300+ days a year for the last two years), yet one of the reasons you think climbers suck is that they think their opinion matters more than yours.  Well, it kind of does matter more if they have more experience.  Again, I could be wrong.  Maybe you are dragging a bunch of noobs who have been climbing for 3 weeks up a bunch of 5.7's, but it doesn't seem that way.  Honestly, for me, it's always a huge red flag climbing with someone new who gets easily defensive when they feel their knowledge is being tested.  Most experienced climbers I've climbed with, myself included, are always open to learn something new.  You might find that keeping an open mind will bring that 98% down to like 80%  ;-) 

Anyway, I wish you luck in finding someone you think doesn't suck to climb with.  If not, there's always free-soloing...

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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