Mountain Project Logo

Climbing Etiquette - What is it?

Jeremy Hand · · Northern VA · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 100

Don't leave hand prints? I'm not going to only chalk my fingers while climbing... I try to use less on a jugfest but on all other climbs I'm dunking my hands into my chalk.

If you want seclusion just hike further into the wilderness. Don't expect everyone to bypass a perfectly good site, which happens to be beside yours, if they want to camp there.

I don't understand how not being quiet = being a shithead. I boulder quite a bit and one of my favorite aspects of the sport is cheering on fellow climbers and have never been agitated from another crowd trying to get someone psyched while they're climbing. I also do this when I'm roped up.

So if I'm a shithead for trying to get a buddy motivated to crush his project or pushing through a crux so be it.

mitchy B · · nunya gotdamn business. · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 0

As of yesterday we've adopted a new strategy for ENCOURAGING our fellow climbers past the crux section of a climb. Today, we are bringing low power BB guns to the crag. That's right, something along the lines of a Red Ryder, not powerful enough to break the skin, but powerful enough to get your attention not to fall.

Mike Belu · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 135

Is it a dick move for one person to lead a sport route, rap down and clean it. Then let the second lead it-maybe not get the route the first try and take a while to finish the route--while people a waiting on the route?

BurtMachlan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2012 · Points: 0
Mike Belu wrote:Is it a dick move for one person to lead a sport route, rap down and clean it. Then let the second lead it-maybe not get the route the first try and take a while to finish the route--while people a waiting on the route?
Why would you clean it if the second climber is going to lead it too? Doesnt sound like a dick move just a retarded move.
Mike Belu · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 135

The question is more geared to making the people wait for the second person to lead, which might take a while. It would b faster for the second person to climb without leading.

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

If people are climbing too slow on your route, just take a 5-wood and whack one right into them.

BurtMachlan · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2012 · Points: 0
Mike Belu wrote:The question is more geared to making the people wait for the second person to lead, which might take a while. It would b faster for the second person to climb without leading.
Then no its not rude at all. You were there first and you can climb the route however you want lead, tr, etc.... Although like you said if you are going to be hang dogging all day on the thing it might be courteous to TR if its above your ability to lead it and get off faster or let the other party play through.
1Eric Rhicard · · Tucson · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 10,101
Mike Belu wrote:Is it a dick move for one person to lead a sport route, rap down and clean it. Then let the second lead it-maybe not get the route the first try and take a while to finish the route--while people a waiting on the route?
No it isn't. The second wanted to lead it as I and almost everyone I climb with would. It isn't like the folks hung a TR on it for the day. If you are lucky they will let you use their draws while the second person rests for the Redpoint.
Jeremy Hand · · Northern VA · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 100

We haven't tried the B.B gun approach but we do occasionally throw large sticks at the leader when they're hangdoggin. We yell, "Fetch!" for some satire.

I love rocks.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
BurtMachlan wrote: Why would you clean it if the second climber is going to lead it too? Doesnt sound like a dick move just a retarded move.
Because the 2nd might not want to pink point it. They may want to experience the process of their own clips.

As far as that goes for etiquette...first come first served. It's your fault for sleeping in till 8, BUT yeah I won't sit there and hangdog or leave my rope up. We'll each get a go and then pull the rope and move on.

I've also had people climb through the MIDDLE of our belay on a trad climb. Not that we were climbing slow either, they just started up right behind us. Their leader climbed up and over me while I was belaying. Nothing like having a very un-graceful climber kicking you while getting all up in your business.

One overall "rule" is the leader always has the right of way, especially over the people wanting to walk around back and throw down ropes.
Mike Belu · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 135

I am the person who would be going second. I'm a middle aged nube, so I like the experience of clipping the bolts. Also, being old and heavy, I won't be hang dogging all day. After a few tries, I'll be too pumped and come down-so no worries there. Thanks for the input. Hitting some popular routes at RRG this weekend.

Ben Brotelho · · Albany, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 520

I'd say a good rule is just don't be a dick on purpose. It seems everyone wants to have some sort of higher ethical standpoint from which they can scoff at the (in their opinion) less sophisticated and inconsiderate masses...

The very thing that draws many of us to the mountains and climbing in general, the freedom it allows, often ends up pissing off other people...it's kind of unavoidable. (go to the gunks on any saturday with good weather and you'll get pissed off by someone, guarantee it)

I like the idea of no rules in the mountains...no boss-man or piggies to tell me what to do. I like being able to make ridiculous jokes out loud that only me and my friends would laugh about. To be able to howl at the moon when I am camping, and to drink beer well into the night while howling at the moon. That said I respect the mountains, clean up after myself, and in general respect other people when they're around me.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

You guys ran Aeryn off. Pffffft. Hope you're happy now.

JesseT · · Portland, OR · Joined May 2011 · Points: 100
Ed Rhine wrote:...3. Those people are certainly stupid to do that but on the flip side TRing routes, especially with groups, is quite enraging...
Because nobody here ever got their start toproping. You gotta start somewhere. I know it's kinda unpopular not to hate on newbs on MP, but let's not forget where we came from.

That said, I totally agree that it's poor form to drag ass if there's a line.
Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

We didn't know where the toprope climbs were when we started, so we actually tried to set up topropes by descending the scree slopes above the climbs, all the while dropping shit and yelling "Rock! Rock!"

JesseT · · Portland, OR · Joined May 2011 · Points: 100
Stich wrote:We didn't know where the toprope climbs were when we started, so we actually tried to set up topropes by descending the scree slopes above the climbs, all the while dropping shit and yelling "Rock! Rock!"
Dear God.
Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520
JesseT wrote: Dear God.
That was back in 1996. Good times. Being noobs, we miscalculated just how much loose rock was above the bolted routes (a shitload). In fact, most people don't even know about these scree slopes just above the sheer cliffs we all climb on. Most of the time the rock sits up there undisturbed and we can go about our merry ways sans helmets. But in the event of rain storms or morons, the rocks become mobile and continue their inexorable slide downslope.

So think about that next time you are at your local crags.
Daryl Allan · · Sierra Vista, AZ · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 1,040

So there's places where toproping is considered taboo or even 'enraging'?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Climbing Etiquette - What is it?"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

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

Get Started.