Too many made up terms
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I am a fairly new climber. I do it for the fun of the challenges that the out doors have to offer. I have learn my way around the sport by asking a lot of questions. Along the way I have found a constant annoyance, and that is that no one seems to make up their minds on what to call anything from equipment, moves, to rock formations. At times this has discouraged me from trying new things in climbing because I end up so confused by the info. I get. It is an intimidating sport to start up with and SOME just make it look like the sport is for some elite society that knows all this code words and names. Books and trial and error have been my best help so far aside from a good FEW that have helped me along the way, but it shouldn't be this way, it's way to dangerous for new people. What do you all think? |
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Gotta say I've never run into this problem. From my experience the crux is the crux and a stem is a stem. As for gear sure it can get confusing. Every company has its own name whether it be wire, nuts, friends, cams its just the nature of the buisness. There are lots of variations out there but for the most part its all the same once you learn the basics. On a side note if your climbing with people who can't seem to stay consistant with what you already know it should raise a question mark. The last thing you want to do is hook up with a partner who just bought a bunch of shinny new gear and is looking for partners to belay him even though he has no clue what he's doing. |
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Miguel, I wouldn't say that climbing is so much elitist as it is more taking time getting to know people that climb well & protected; it is dangerous just to go to the store, buy some stuff, and experiment. |
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Every activity has its specific jargon, but for me, learning the terminology is half the fun in becoming engrossed in a sport. If you think climbing is riddled with bizzare terminology...take a look at sailing! Those guys call ropes sheets. Talk about confusing. |
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Miguel: |
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Read many books. If your local library does not have a great collection of mountaineering/climbing books you can have your library's interlibrary loan clerk get them for you from anywhere in the country! Your local library can also arrange to have current climbing magazines interlibrary loaned to you. Forget the corporate stronghold of Borders and Barnes and Noble---support your local library! |
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Maybe I went on a rant on my opening comment. It was a thought that cross my head when I saw the different subjects on the forums. I have enough experience now to get around. I just remember the frustration of learning the sport at the beginning , along with having the luck of meeting the wrong people that made it not so enjoyable. Yeah it was a little personal and why not It was only something that I was trying to enjoy and SOME were not so helpful. How ever, I just moved here (Aurora) from Texas a month ago, and I have to say that the climbers here have been nothing but friendly and have enjoyed my time here so far. Thanks yall, looking forward to a LOT of good climbing days. |
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Now adding to my original thought. So far reading the directions on how to get to the climbing spots here in CO are not to clear. The directions on the Falcon guide are more user friendly. That sucks because this website has pics for almost every major climbing spot but for the most part not so good directions on getting to them. May be we can start adding at least made-up maps for better description of the area. A visual along with words will surely help. |
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As for your frustrations on directions to the crag - welcome to the club. I try to be as specific as possible, but I've found that 90% of guides tend to be vague in their directions, almost as if following their instructions is their way of making sure you're committed before you get there. The best thing to do is talk to someone who has been there. |
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Yup, Nate, I agree. This website is all about helping each other so I'll try my best in the future to be as descriptive as possible. And about the guides, that's pretty funny stuff. But in a positive note, it seems like this site is full of people that are committed to the sport and willing to share what they know and where they've been. |
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Miguel A. Negron wrote:Now adding to my original thought. So far reading the directions on how to get to the climbing spots here in CO are not to clear. The directions on the Falcon guide are more user friendly. That sucks because this website has pics for almost every major climbing spot but for the most part not so good directions on getting to them. May be we can start adding at least made-up maps for better description of the area. A visual along with words will surely help.Miguel, If you would list some areas that need better directions, it would help the CO administrators make improvements. Some work has gone into creating clickable maps, but more remains to be done. |
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Miguel, |
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I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with your old location. |
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Miguel, |
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I am new too climbing as well and felt obligated too speak on the "Made up terms" scenario. |
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jeffrey wrote:Hey what is a crux and what is a stem??A crux is the hardest part - of a pitch or of an entire route. Example: "The climb was pretty cruiser until the crux and then I peed my pants." A stem is when you spread your legs out very wide to reach distant footholds. jeffrey wrote:This term is a great example " Gotta say I've never run into this problem. From my experience the crux is the crux and a stem is a stem."I have no idea what they meant by that. John |
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The funny words are part of the fun. |
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Mike G. wrote:Every activity has its specific jargon, but for me, learning the terminology is half the fun in becoming engrossed in a sport. If you think climbing is riddled with bizzare terminology...take a look at sailing! Those guys call ropes sheets. Talk about confusing.T F F ;) I guess I never thought of it. I grew up sailing so all the terminology/ies are natural to me. Mike I am still chuckling from your comment, I may for years whenever it comes to mind. |
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While sitting on the sidelines of an Ultimate Frisbee tournament on Sunday, a woman ran up and down the sidelines, waiting to sub in yelling "Value! VALUE!!!" |
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Or we could just make this easy on you and give you the Climber's Dictionary |
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As an old trad climber that learned in the 70's I have to admit that most of the terminology used in "sport" climbing totally befuddles me. Also, a lot of the old terminology that we used to use seems to have gone away. Example: in the old days everyone knew what you were talking about when you said "that crack is perfect, about 40 feet of "Joe Browns". Does anyone out there remember that term? For those of you that do remember, what is the new term? |