Act your age

Ok, so this is my first post on MP. A little background information. I'm 19, live in Delaware, love trad, and can't find anyone my own age to go on big trips with. I went out west for 2 and a half months earlier this year to cali, nevada, and colorado. I've got another month long trip in the fall (week RRG, 2 weeks cali, and week in red rocks). I am always climbing with people much older than me (50s). They havent been climbing much longer than me and I'm actually more experienced thanks to my long trips. Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means loaded with money, I just work continually between trips and put away enough for plane tickets and then go uber cheap on camping and food (I live on my own and pay all my own bills).

So here's my question. Is it possible to find someone my own age (18-25) who has a) the money to travel (cheaply), b) will make time to travel, and c) is always ready for more?

Deja vu. I lived that same life finding nobody here in the Midwest with time or interest to go on a climbing tour when I was 20, 30,40, etc. So now I'm the guy who is climbing with the twenty-somethings at age 60. Back then, I would enf up just going for it, spend the gas money and head out, meet people along the way and have a great time out on the climbing road each year for decades.
Try the partners' section here at MP for someone at each destination if you can't find a full road trip buddy.

Maybe you should move out west, there's lots of people our age, 20 somethings, on extended climbing trips all over Josh and Yos.

Nick Zmyewski wrote:I'm 19, live in Delaware...

Maybe the issue isn't so much the first part as the second.

I spent almost two years on the road ending recently. The people I met that were also on extended road trips (i.e., a month or more) were mostly younger than I (I'm in my mid-late forties). Most seemed to be in their twenties.

Once you meet a few people like that, it seems you start to notice a pattern of work and life. There are a lot of opportunities out West for seasonal lifestyles--maybe more so than back East, though I'm not really sure, maybe I just notice it more out here. I met several people that worked at ski resorts in winter and climbed during the summer, for example. I met another who made most of his money picking an agricultural product that is much more common out here, especially in Colorado and California.

The age demographic you specify would include college students, a group that is well represented in summer climbing destinations around the country. If you went to college somewhere out here, for example, it may be easier to meet people with an interest in spending much of the summer climbing.

But that age also includes a number of people who are in the first years of their jobs and typically have a week or two vacation total per year. So yeah, those in mainstream jobs are definitely not going to be able to head out for a month.

As Woodchuck notes, keep checking or posting on MP for partners. I often notice posts looking for long term trip partners. The compatibility may or may not work out, but once you get started I've found it fairly easy to find new partners, especially during the summer months when the college and winter worker crowd are out in force.

Delaware is the first problem, trad is the second. I'm 27 and have noticed that sport seems to be more popular that trad in the 18-29 age group. That is not to say that there are a lot of traddies out there, but there sure are a Hell of a lot of sportos. Sometimes I even have a hard time getting my "trad partners" to climb trad!

And most people you're age with the ability to save up for extended trips are in school. Not to say that you should be - obviously you can take care of yourself w/o Uni. But you're in a growing minority, as most people your age are relying on their parents in some way.

I'd definitely agree with Ryan. Finding good trad partners around the early twenties age group can be a bitch. If I wanted to listen to Pretty Lights and do nothing but boulder I would have no problem. Don't get me wrong I love all styles of climbing, but trad is the most fulfilling for me-and so are quality partnerships. It's a lot easier for me to progress as a climber when I can climb with someone who is at the same confidence and ability level. I've shared the rope with far too many people who are nervous leaders and headcases, and I have had to bail on routes because of questionable confidence. Move out to Flagstaff and climb some desert towers.

Thanks for the replies. I never thought about the fact that seasonal work (I lifeguard in the summer and work for a pizza shop the rest of the year when not on trips, super sweet deal btw) is much harder to find out here. That makes alot of sense. And dont get me wrong, I like sport too. Trad is just so much more adventurous. Its not a one pitch power-fest. I'm moving out west (maybe CO) after college. I've taken a few years off and need to hit the books so I can get the hell out of del. Thanks again for the encouragement.

I also like mixed routes, however my partner seemed a little confused. (He actually just ran out of draws and improvised)

brother man, MOVE. period.

there are hundreds of guys like you (read: me, 20 years ago!) chilling in boulder, jackson, vegas, salt lake, reno, tahoe, bozeman....living on the cheap and climbing the hell out of it.......don't get me wrong, i know being near home is cool....but if you want to devote yourself (and brother, do it...NOW...plenty of time to work/procreate/whatever) in your late 30s...

for now, hit the road, preferably in a van...and live it. you'll thank yourself later...............

^
|
|
This guy has got it. I'm 40... I did it with skiing. Do it.

Steve Murphy wrote:...an agricultural product that is much more common out here, especially in Colorado and California.

:)

I really would move in a heartbeat, I have friends in cali and vegas that would let me crash with them for a while, but I want to get my degree. until then, lots of trips and the gunks is only 4 hrs away

Come back to the West Nick, tan while I crux out again.
Nice meeting you dude, you're an interesting fella.

I am a mountaineering enthusiasts, nice to meet you guys, i am 24

I started climbing when I was in my mid/late 20s and have always enjoyed climbing with the older dudes. They are always on time, rarely (never?) flake, are usually stoked to get out, have lots of good stories and you can learn a ton from guys (and gals) who have been climbing for 20+ years.

Yeah, get the hell outta Delaware. You can get those jobs in any town out west and have lots more climbing at your finger tips.

Nick Zmyewski wrote:I really would move in a heartbeat, I have friends in cali and vegas that would let me crash with them for a while, but I want to get my degree.

I think they have universities in the West. I heard that once.

The Bobby wrote: I think they have universities in the West. I heard that once.

Not with in-state public school tuition, unfortunately, if you're not from there.

Michaeld916 wrote:Come back to the West Nick, tan while I crux out again. Nice meeting you dude, you're an interesting fella.

Yo michael. You still up for yosemite when I get out there? I got my tan lifeguarding (as tan as I'll get) too so this time you'll have to lay back and watch me climb. You climb with sabe at all since I left? I want to do inti wantana with him (13 pitches to summit, 10d).

And Dylan, thats exactly why I'm staying in del to finish school. I can't afford out of state tuition. I'm young 4 yrs before I move out there will still leave me plenty of time to have fun and to travel. Maybe I'll try and get my degree in 3 yrs to save some time/money.

Why wait? What do you study? Have you considered transferring? Find a school out here with a program you like and apply for some scholarships. Alternatively, figure out the residency requirements for whatever university you're interested in and just move on out, taking action with whatever steps are required to gain in-state tuition in a year (sometimes less). Until I'm pretty sure most towns west of the Mississippi sell pizza AND need lifeguards. Of course you'll find a ton of rock and climbing partners your age too in the right places.
Just do it man- you won't regret it!

I'm seriously thinking about it. I have my month long trip and I'll think about this serious stuff after that. Or maybe just get a one way ticket. If I come back I'm either going to do a year or 2 at the local community college and save some money or I'll work over the winter and save money then drive out west and hope my junk car makes it. I like the idea of moving out west now and doing college later after getting residency. I'm in no rush for college. Is anybody from the front range area? How is it finding a job out there right now? Nothing too fancy, just something to pay cheap rent and put gas in the car.

Are you taking the summers off to climb? If so, just strike out as soon as exams are over, by yourself if you can't find anyone to join in the fun, and head for the Valley. That's what I did when I was your age, and it was an awesome experience. Once you have your tent pitched in camp 4, you'll have more partners than you know what to do with. It takes a little bit of courage to do it alone, but before long you'll have lots of new friends that are in exactly the same situation as you.