Eldo - Genesis - Fixed Rope

So, I wasn't going to say anything about this, but two weekends ago I was out in Eldo with my Soloist, and some douchebag stole one of my three anchors while I was climbing. I had a top rope set up on Blind Faith, and had two cams, and a nut all equalized as an anchor. I did not leave my gear unattended.

I ran some laps without going to the very top where my anchors were placed. When I climbed to the very top to clean my gear: a nut, a double length Specter cord, and two locking biners were gone. I was so blown away by it that I wasn't even sure what to think.

Because this was not a case of "abandoned" gear, and because I was actively climbing on my system the whole time it was up, except for a breather or two, I was shocked that anyone would mess with it while I was climbing. Fortunately the two cams that were not stolen were bomber, so it didn't particularly endanger me. But what a rotten thing to do.

I still don't know what to think, but the more I do the more pissed it makes me. Even though the situation is totally different than the rope that is the subject of this thread, I think anyone trying to justify stealing as a way to enforce "local" ethics has their head up their a$$.

Greg reminds me of the kid growing up who "was always going to go tell his mommy".

Greg...you sound like such a flame! I will come to SuperTopo just to rag on you.

Brad White wrote:So, I wasn't going to say anything about this, but two weekends ago I was out in Eldo with my Soloist, and some douchebag stole one of my three anchors while I was climbing. I had a top rope set up on Blind Faith, and had two cams, and a nut all equalized as an anchor. I did not leave my gear unattended. I ran some laps without going to the very top where my anchors were placed. When I climbed to the very top to clean my gear: a nut, a double length Specter cord, and two locking biners were gone. I was so blown away by it that I wasn't even sure what to think. Because this was not a case of "abandoned" gear, and because I was actively climbing on my system the whole time it was up, except for a breather or two, I was shocked that anyone would mess with it while I was climbing. Fortunately the two cams that were not stolen were bomber, so it didn't particularly endanger me. But what a rotten thing to do. I still don't know what to think, but the more I do the more pissed it makes me. Even though the situation is totally different than the rope that is the subject of this thread, I think anyone trying to justify stealing as a way to enforce "local" ethics has their head up their a$$.

Running rope solo laps on a popular route in a crowded area on the weekend isn't really a great way to make friends, I guess.

We don't know the person who took the rope ever read this thread or the Supertopo thread. On the Taco a guy just described how someone took the very anchor he was rope soloing on and removed pieces of it and stole them! Do you think this thief too was trying to enforce leave no trace ethics?

It's just presumptuous to think the rope was stolen to make a point about ethics. It is very likely to be simple theft.

Stich wrote:We don't know the person who took the rope ever read this thread or the Supertopo thread. On the Taco a guy just described how someone took the very anchor he was rope soloing on and removed pieces of it and stole them! Do you think this thief too was trying to enforce leave no trace ethics? It's just presumptuous to think the rope was stolen to make a point about ethics. It is very likely to be simple theft.

That's simple theft like stealing lug nuts off someones tires is simple theft. Man you can KILL someone doing that.

It's crazy to think that someone would actually put someones life in danger for some cams. It's mind bottling.

Mark E Dixon wrote: Running rope solo laps on a popular route in a crowded area on the weekend isn't really a great way to make friends, I guess.

fuck that, if someone wants to climb in ask.. I'd be more than willing to let them climb in, even give them a belay. If I caught someone doing that I might throw them off the top.

Scott McMahon wrote:It's mind bottling.

???

Admit it, you love hearing yourself talk. I like you better when you're posting pictures of half naked women.

Quittin' time, can't wait to pick this back up tomorrow... Goodnight cupcake

Stich wrote: ???

You know, when things are so crazy it gets your thoughts all trapped, like in a bottle? haha!!

Howdy. That's my brother you are all talking about. He loves Eldo, is a great steward of the place, has revisited his position and changed it in the course of the past day, and is genuinely upset at the fluster this has caused. Perhaps it is time to climb rather than posture, enjoy rather than accuse, and celebrate the fact that climbing--for some--remains an activity of inspiration and adventure.

All best,

Greg J

Jake Jones wrote: And even if it's just for the purposes of getting his rope back, it's still his.

Technically, no its not the moment he left for the day. I highly doubt the rope takers did so due to the kids attitude, they did so to get $200+ of free rope. Thats the equivalent of working 8 hours at 25 an hour.

Do we actually know if the rope was stolen by somebody who just saw an expensive unattended piece of gear or whether it was taken down as a political statement?

In either case, I think it should be given back, but it's a lot more likely if taking it was a statement.

I think Brad deserves his gear back too, even if I still carry the emotional scars inflicted by gang-topropers at the Gunks.

Brad White wrote:So, I wasn't going to say anything about this, but two weekends ago I was out in Eldo with my Soloist, and some douchebag stole one of my three anchors while I was climbing. I had a top rope set up on Blind Faith, and had two cams, and a nut all equalized as an anchor. I did not leave my gear unattended. I ran some laps without going to the very top where my anchors were placed. When I climbed to the very top to clean my gear: a nut, a double length Specter cord, and two locking biners were gone. I was so blown away by it that I wasn't even sure what to think. Because this was not a case of "abandoned" gear, and because I was actively climbing on my system the whole time it was up, except for a breather or two, I was shocked that anyone would mess with it while I was climbing. Fortunately the two cams that were not stolen were bomber, so it didn't particularly endanger me. But what a rotten thing to do. I still don't know what to think, but the more I do the more pissed it makes me. Even though the situation is totally different than the rope that is the subject of this thread, I think anyone trying to justify stealing as a way to enforce "local" ethics has their head up their a$$.

Wow. Totally blown away to hear that. We were there climbing just up the hill from you. It was a pretty quiet day over there. Only one party topped out while you were climbing. They were on bastille crack. It was their first time on top of bastille cause they asked us if they were going the right way.

If I can help in some way let me know. I would have considered pushing them off the ledge if I knew what they did. Yes I am internet tough guy.

All Killer No Filler wrote:When I'm not perfecting Magnum, I'm a philosphizer by trade. Just cause I have a negative view of humanity is no reason to be bummed out yourself. Climbers are good people. Not gossipy, effeminite bitches who re-post from site to site, not the kind of assholes that steal ropes off of people's projects, not the kind of schmucks that troll the living hell out of anything and everything they can from their unsuited for the illiterate iPhones. My buddy, who's well known around here as a poser, negative nancy, and general dick (even I think this, and I like the guy; ish) says "Climbers aren't good people. They're usually overpriveleged, under-responsible shitheads just trying to take everyone around them for anything they can squeeze out of them. Now, firefighters? You got at least a decent chance that some guy willing to run into a burning building for a total stranger's benefit might MAYBE be a decent person. But even then you're talking about just better than 50% odds. Most climbers, maybe 90%, are people I wouldn't drink a beer with if they were buying." Words of wisdom. Course, my paramedic buddy thinks most firemen are shitheads, too, so maybe we should get back to your regularly scheduled rope-theft argument, and I can talk to myself, with my mellifluous vocal tones, and whatnot. And you can google Eva pictures or whatever it is that you do when you're not calling me cupcake. Which is hot.

Cool story!

When I see some of these posts justifying theft as a means to disagree with someone, it makes me a little sad. Sure, theft has always occurred in our community, but to think some of us believe it is justifiable in any case is surprising to me. Maybe I'm naive.

Greg, I saw that party, because they rappeled off the Bastille right next to me while I was on Blind Faith. I thought it odd. I don't know if they stole my gear or not, but they were my best guess also.

Mark Dixon, you made one of the comments that surprises me. I don't gang tope-rope anything. Typically, when I am out with the Soloist I get to Eldo extremely early, set my rope up on something accessible, and try not to hog the route too much. I usually finish early, and have been doing this off and on for almost 25 years in Eldo. I've never been told that I was out of line for this practice. When you insinuate that somehow I deserved to have any anchor that I was actively using removed and stolen is pretty shocking. Oh well, I guess our community is changing.

All Killer No Filler wrote:. Does anyone ever learn from getting their gear jacked? I'm thinking it's pretty unlikely.

Who are you? this isn't something the Killis I know would say......

All Killer No Filler wrote:before you wore out your welcome

if I had it to do all over again I wouldn't change a thing

All Killer No Filler wrote: Feel free to not get me started on you, I think the uneasy truce is as good as it's getting between you and me.

Right back at ya.

Brad White wrote: Mark Dixon, you made one of the comments that surprises me.

Mark, meet Brad. Brad, meet Mark. You are both good guys who I think are misunderstanding each other and you'll work it out.

All Killer No Filler wrote:Suggesting that stashers are learning disabled sounds exactly like the killis you used to know, before you wore out your welcome. Feel free to not get me started on you, I think the uneasy truce is as good as it's getting between you and me. Brad, things have and will continue to change, that's a fact. Adjusting to change is one of the major secondary challenges in life, after food, shelter, and not getting run over by a bus (or thrown under it by former "friends"). I'm glad you got my joke, Nick. Ballbusting intentional, but no harm meant. And drinking doesn't get the words flowing, it tends to mellow me out to the point of sleep, hence all of the forthcoming donations to my beer fund. Jake Jonesin', the voice of reason AGAIN. Damn you and your thinking and math skills! Hope NC was sick, send me some details, I've been coughing up 50 shades of phlegm getting over the flu, be fun to hear about your 50 shades of gray rock. Or just have you read 50 Shades of MILF to me or whatever is on the large print bestseller list these days.

;) As a previous shithead myself I agree with both of your friends although I would lump paramedics into that group also.

I also agree this whole topic is pretty sad. After three long days of work (life is rough) I'm looking forward to a weekend at lumpy, I hope none of my gear gets stolen.

NickinCO wrote:I'm looking forward to a weekend at lumpy, I hope none of my gear gets stolen.

Usually if you don't leave your crap laying around unattended, it goes home with you.