Mountain Project Logo

Speed climbing is stupid and dangerous.

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

There, I said it. I think speed climbing is stupid and dangerous. Stupid because it reduces climbing to a dick measuring contest and dangerous because extreme risks are taken to measure the dick. I can't say I haven't climbed for time but I can say I was being stupid and dangerous when I was "speed" climbing.

This is the beginning of the "Climb slow, Climb safe" campaign to save dirt the bags. Are you with me?

NegativeK · · Nevada · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 40

Climbing is stupid and dangerous.

Kees van der Heiden · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2016 · Points: 40

Ted Pinson · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 252

Climbing already is a dick measuring contest.  How is speed climbing dangerous?  I get it if you’re talking about NIAD and linking/running out pitches outside, but running up and down an autobelay is about the safest form of climbing you can do.

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241

How do you feel about extreme dick measuring as its own pursuit?

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

Climbing already is a dick measuring contest.  How is speed climbing dangerous?  I get it if you’re talking about NIAD and linking/running out pitches outside, but running up and down an autobelay is about the safest form of climbing you can do.

Lol, I didn't even think about speed climbing in a gym, that's just stupid but actually fits into the gym culture.

NegativeK · · Nevada · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 40
Tradiban wrote:

Lol, I didn't even think about speed climbing in a gym, that's just stupid but actually fits into the gym culture.

Why are we caring so much about what other people do?

Pavel Burov · · Russia · Joined May 2013 · Points: 50

Speed climbing is everything about effectiveness. Effectiveness is everything about technique. Technique is a foundation of good climbing.

Speed climbing training is a must for climbing strong. Speed climbing training is a must for climbing safe. Speed climbing training is a must for climbing smart.

Pavel Burov · · Russia · Joined May 2013 · Points: 50

Talking about trad, big wall and especially alpine climbing. Speed climbing is an important (probably the most important for most parties) part of climbing safety.

Climbing slow implies have an epic on descent or even get frozen to death on an unplanned bivouac.

"Climb slow, Climb safe" is an oxymoron.

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

Why are we caring so much about what other people do?

Well in the case of speed climbing there's a certain macho bullshit that has a negative effect on our sport and our crags. It's the broification of climbing, it offends me.

Rafe · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2009 · Points: 510

Speed climbing is fun, not just a dick measuring contest. 

Should we save the mountain bikers with "Ride slow Ride safe"?  Of course not.

People with high end skills in extreme sports are going to do dangerous things because it's exciting. And if those people choose to do those things, then by all means.

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

Speed climbing is fun, not just a dick measuring contest. 

Should we save the mountain bikers with "Ride slow Ride safe"?  Of course not.

People with high end skills in extreme sports are going to do dangerous things because it's exciting. And if those people choose to do those things, then by all means.

Yes, unless you are racing it might be best to slow down on your MTB and enjoy the trail instead of ripping like a fucking maniac. I'm going to start a Ride slow, Ride safe campaign for MTB too. Good point!

Also, speed climbing ups the risk ante quite a lot compared to "speed" MTB.

amarius · · Nowhere, OK · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 20

Toxicity of overt masculinity is what makes speed climbing dangerous. 

Gummy F · · Akron, OH · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 2,530
amarius wrote:

Toxicity of overt masculinity is what makes speed climbing dangerous. 

Hahahahaha! ^^^^ YES!

Bill Shubert · · Lexington, MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 55

I agree, speed *anything* is stupid and dangerous. Stupid runners, those marathons are just dick measuring contests.

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

I agree, speed *anything* is stupid and dangerous. Stupid runners, those marathons are just dick measuring contests.

I disagree, increased speed doesn't significantly increase risk in marathons. But, nice try contributing. Silver Star for you!

J. Albers · · Colorado · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,926
Pavel Burov wrote:

"Climb slow, Climb safe" is an oxymoron.

That statement is f'ing stupid. Can climbing slow be a less safe option in some circumstances? Sure. But your blanket statement is a big eye roll.

And while I'm calling out stupid....wow, the climbing in the video posted by Kees van der Heiden takes the cake. To each his own I guess, but that sh*t is hard to watch and not sigh.

Vanilla Drilla From Manila · · Goiter, CO · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 50
Colonel Mustard wrote:

How do you feel about extreme dick measuring as its own pursuit?

Also dangerous.

Beean · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 0
Pavel Burov wrote:

Talking about trad, big wall and especially alpine climbing. Speed climbing is an important (probably the most important for most parties) part of climbing safety.

Climbing slow implies have an epic on descent or even get frozen to death on an unplanned bivouac.

"Climb slow, Climb safe" is an oxymoron.

No one on this site does alpine. Some may do trad but it hasn't been established what that is yet. 

Kyle Taylor · · Broomfield CO · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 0

I'm new-ish to climbing. But well versed in cycling- there's lot of things you can do to make riding more or less dangerous. Hell, they didn't wear helmets in the Tour just 15 years ago. I would assume if you're speed climbing you know your risks. Just as if riding without a helmet you're risking more than an average rider with a helmet. 

What makes it more dangerous? Honestly curious. Looks like they're on auto belays. My gym isn't tho, they have 2 belayers taking slack.

ebmudder · · Bronx, NY · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 55

How do you feel about speed-soloing?

Dan Osman Speed Soloing Bear's Reach

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Speed climbing is stupid and dangerous."

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.