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Why do you Climb?

Original Post
Adam Block · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,180

I was in a canyon today scouting information on boulders and I saw two people climbing. They went along the wall from left to right in the order the routes were bolted, I counted 6 climbs. They were having a great time and I thought it was awesome to see them out enjoying climbing but it got me thinking. Why do people climb because their motivation was clearly very different than mine.

I can't imagine just going around touching every anchor I could, it would get old really fast, much the way climbing every ladder I saw would but it dawned on me some people love this. Some climb to stay in shape, some to push their limits, others to gain focus, as a sort of meditation, I would guess there are a lot of different reasons.

If I were to make climbing as ideal as I could for me, I would have a rack of gear, hike off and know that if I can make it up anything I come across. I love knowing there are cracks out there nobody has climbed, I love getting people into the hobby, I love exploring and having climbing be an extension of that. If I include top roping in the mix, I love getting on routes I know I won't make it up the first ten times, I love pushing myself till I fail and doing it over and over, putting a route together in sections and linking them.

I climb because I love the possibilities, I love the problem solving. When I see bolts and anchors some of those possibilities are gone. I guess doing something I already know I can do just to do it doesn't do it for me.

I have been learning all I can in the few years I've been climbing trying to transition into trad as it seems this is where all I love about climbing comes into play.

I love climbing is the moral and I would like to see the contrast in what we each love about climbing.

chalkfingers · · park city, utah · Joined May 2008 · Points: 75

Why not?

Tparis · · Pottersville,New York · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 270

I climb because I am a climber.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

I climb because it's the best medicine for unemployment.

Nathan Stokes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 440

I climb to get the chicks (yeah right). I climb because I like the problem solving, I love the outdoors and I have a penchant for high risk leisure activities. My job is very demanding mentally and for some reason I have hobbies that are just as intense but in a totally different manner (high risk, adrenaline rush, high effort).

Andy Laakmann · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,990

Climbing is moving meditation. Good for the body, good for the soul.

Mike Rowley · · Traveling · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 76

I climb because I love it! I love being outside in nature, pushing my limits, improving as I climb more. Climbing is a great way to spend time with friends, and also make new ones. For me its also kinda a form of meditation. I too have a high mentally stressful job and climbing let's me forget all about it. It focuses my mind and my body and makes me focus on one thing. Climbing is a GREAT fitness activity as well and another great thing about climbing.......ITS FREE/CHEAP ($25 annual pass@ smith rock). If I didn't have one of those dreaded things they call a job id climb 24/7/365. Happy thanksgiving and happy climbin!

Andrew Caraballo · · Milwaukie, OR · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 530

I climb because it makes me look cool and get tons and tons of hot women.

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

Its definetly one of the more rad sports Ive been into. I think the element of danger and commitment is rewarding.

Schralping a sick, steep pow slope in half is awesome too but I never feel fulfilled after I do it.....I just want more, climbing is very fulfilling for some reason...until the nexy day anyways..

It shows you what you're made of too, it' more than just fun. When you sack up and run it out and climb smooth and strong and send a pitch, or a route...its sweet....and a lot of people don't have that in them...

jack roberts · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 0

To make the voices go awayyyyyyyyyyyyy................

Brandy Persson · · Vail, CO · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 5

My motivation used to be grade oriented. I was ecstatic when I reached my goals and very disappointed when I didn't. I found that the satisfaction fades quickly though, and the ups and downs of this mindset is unhealthy (for me at least).

I needed to find a different motivation, so I sought out the bigger picture. I'll never go pro and may never climb V10. So, who really cares?

Now, having released this self-inflicted pressure, I simply have fun no matter what I'm on. The movement, the pure beauty and creativity of the movement, is my motivation. Curiousity rather than expectation works for me. Being in the moment is sweeter than focusing on the end.

scottydo · · ventura, ca · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 115

I enjoy the movement, the challenge, and being outdoors in some of the most beautiful settings our country has to offer. (oh and the gear is pretty fun to play with) ;)

nice topic

scottydo · · ventura, ca · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 115

I enjoy the movement, the challenge, and being outdoors in some of the most beautiful settings our country has to offer. (oh and the gear is pretty fun to play with) ;)

nice topic

W.S. · · Montana · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 65

Nothing else can be so simultaneously humbling and validating. It's cool to get to the top of something you didn't think was possible, and it's just as cool to get shut down by a move that should be easy. Also, it's fun.

And to steal from the crusty mentors thread, I climb to make the beer taste better.

John Maurer · · Denver, CO · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 530

To hone in my bear-escape skills.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280
scottydo wrote:I enjoy the movement, the challenge, and being outdoors in some of the most beautiful settings our country has to offer. (oh and the gear is pretty fun to play with) ;) nice topic
Agree the gear can be fascinating. Especially in aid climbing. the outdoors energy, the view, the adrenaline. Personally I enjoy the rock itself, the texture, close up viewing of it, the whole geology thing. That's my excuse when it takes me over 30 min. to do a short pitch.
aluke · · PHX, AZ · Joined May 2007 · Points: 90

"I've lost control over my life. I'm obligated to social standards, friends and family, employers and employees. I'm not free. I'm perpetually in servitude to others. When I climb I can quiet the turmoil inside me and take back what's mine. I've found the little boy inside me, and introduced him to the man I have become. This is why I climb."

That and climbing makes me feel alive again, just going through life is so boring sometimes I feel like I am in a comma, then when I climb there is a spark of life inside of me again.

koreo · · Denver, CO · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 85

Climbing can be a leisurely aesthetic sport, or it can be the strenuous, "testing the limitations of the human body" kind of sport. And it's the feeling. The feeling of finding a good hold, good feet, or finally nailing that big move. That feeling doesn't make anything better, but while I'm climbing nothing else matters.

Pat C · · Honolulu · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 45

Because it feels so good. Seriously. Same as surfing. It feels so good.

Max Johnson · · Los Alamitos, CA · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 10
Pat C wrote:Because it feels so good. Seriously. Same as surfing. It feels so good.
I'm a surfer and a climber and I agree completely. And in both cases you get to hang out in the outdoors with friends and do something thats just plain FUN.
Mike C · · Sweden · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 30

This really is a silly question... Like asking someone 'why do you eat apples?'
Long answer: Apples are great because of the diversity you can choose from. The red apples are softer, being slightly sweeter than green apples and are terrific in fruit salads, blending nicely with the other fruits.
The green apples are a little more sour and really are at their best as 'stand alone' apples for snacks or as a desert after lunch. Being a little harder than the red apples, they fill up a little more and give me a little more satisfaction when I bite into them, making that lovely typical 'green apple bite' sound that we all know and have come to love.
Apples are very practical, organic and for can be grown locally in many countries. The best of all is that you can eat the core too, so there is no need to throw it away in sensitive locations. Try eating a banana skin... etc etc...
Short answer: Because I like them.

I don't think there are many people that climb who do not like climbing. So the answer for most people is 'because I like it'. 'Why?' is the never ending question. You can always ask 'why' after someone replies...
Why do you climb?
Because I like it.
Why do you like it?
Because of the challenges and being outdoors.
Why do you like challenges outdoors?
At some point it has to stop... So why not at the very beginning... we climb because we like it.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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