Normal ice climber behavior?

My roommate is an ice climber. Throughout the summer and fall, I will come home to find him laying on the floor, watching netflix or something, and just holding his ice tools.

Is this normal ice climber behavior?

Yes. You must become one with your tools. 

Sometimes I'll play with my cams, but they have a more fidget-spinner effect.

Holding and stroking your tool is completely normal.  

With the advent of leashless tools, having an intimate familiarity with the shape and feel of your tool is even more important. 

One should strive to be able to properly hold and grip the tool, even with your eyes closed or with beads of sweat rolling into your eyes.

The ability to apply the proper pressure to gripping the tool is paramount.  Overgripping can lead to screaming barfies, which is the least prefered way to finish. Practice is key.

One advanced technique, "The Stranger", is to sit on your hands until numb.  It simulates the lack of blood flow to the hands and thereby only the tool feels the grip. When this technique is mastered, one can feel confident in not losing their tool during peak excitement.

Many groups, particularly religious ones founded in spurt climbing, try to discourage this type of behavior. However, frequent off season practice leads to better results when the big show happens.

I usually put ankle weights on them and do tricep extentions...

I'd say he was weird if he didn't do that...

Playing with your tools is perfectly normal.

Graham Johnson wrote:

I'd say he was weird if he didn't do that...

There are two types of ice climbers. 

Those who play with their tools and those who lie about not playing with their tools.

Depends on his level of clothing. If he's in full shell attire, I'd say you're fine...if he's only wearing wool socks and some Nepals, you might want to keep your distance until the ice fattens up a bit.

J-Moe wrote:

My roommate is an ice climber. Throughout the summer and fall, I will come home to find him laying on the floor, watching netflix or something, and just holding his ice tools.

Is this normal ice climber behavior?

Ice climbers aren't normal, so what's your question?

Skibo wrote:

Ice climbers aren't normal, so what's your question?

Haha fair point

Pretty much the only people who ice climb are a handful of maladjusted geeks

 - Yvon Chouinard

Allen Sanderson wrote:

Pretty much the only people who ice climb are a handful of maladjusted geeks

 - Yvon Chouinard

That's the way it was when I started in the late 1970s, having pored over Chouinard's Climbing Ice.  Ice climbing now is mainstream.  But, it's fun, and I'll do it until I can't!

John Byrnes wrote:

There ya go. On a similar note, Avy Poodles seem harder and harder to come by lately, anyone have leads on where I can pick up a new one?

Keatan wrote:

On a similar note, Avy Poodles seem harder and harder to come by lately, anyone have leads on where I can pick up a new one?

Sure, just walk outside the Hauf and yell "Bridger" or "Madison".  Something will come your way.

Keatan wrote:

There ya go. On a similar note, Avy Poodles seem harder and harder to come by lately, anyone have leads on where I can pick up a new one?

I'm usually the group's Poodle.  Been in 17 or so, but not in the last 5 years ;-)

As long as he's not naked & with a kitten on his chest, he's golden ...