Best routes in Boulder area for a date w/ non-climber

A story from the GF's perspective....

25 years ago my BF (now husband of 18 yrs) wanted me to get into climbing. I had lots of backpacking and class 3 hiking experience,was a good athlete, owned shoes (ha ha - is that the measure?), had done a bit of bouldering and thought it would be 'super fun'!

So his partner at the time suggested Calypso would be a *perfect* first outing for me..... I think about halfway up P1, when I was struggling to remove a nut, I looked down and suddenly realized I was actually terrified of heights. After much back and forth ('I don't think I can do this...' 'You're doing great, just keep going!'), and I actually think he was out of sight at the belay as I recall, he ended up lowering me. At which point we had to borrow a rope from another party so he could rap off... Don't do anything longer than 1/2 a rope length! :)

It was pretty much a horrible experience for both of us, and 8 years went by before I went climbing again. We have a great climbing partnership now, and laugh a lot about that first climb, but it took awhile for us to get there.

I would second Calypso as being a poor choice for a 1st multi-pitch (it's a lot more polished now than it was 25 years ago too!), and would also second multi-pitch in general as being bad for a 1st 'date climb'. For one thing - as an inexperienced follower, a lot of my anxiety came from not realizing my BF was climbing well below his limit, therefore it seemed scary and dangerous to me, and I wondered what I would do if he was hurt as I recognized that I was holding a lot of responsibility as the second.

Keep it relaxed, keep it fun, and remember what seems simple and low stress to you may not feel that way to her. Or I might be underestimating the girl and I was just a major wuss (quite possible!).

You go looking for a route suggestion and get relationship advice from a bunch of lonely dirtbags and dirt-bagguettes (?), only on MP, and completely worth it!

Ended up making sushi instead.

germsauce wrote:You go looking for a route suggestion and get relationship advice from a bunch of lonely dirtbags and dirt-bagguettes (?), only on MP, and completely worth it! Ended up making sushi instead.

You finally wised up. Good choice.

Nope. Not lonely. Or a dirtbag.

I think it went well with the thread drift, as you should have been able to figure out a route on your own to begin with.

Princess Mia wrote:I'm telling you: don't climb, get the goodies and a blanket and find a private place somewhere, where your amorous attempts will not be interrupted by other noobs thrashing on the same 5.6......

I think I'd go with the Princess, that way you can see if she really is athletic, if that works take her climbing another day.

Don't forget your jimmy hats

germsauce wrote:Ended up making sushi instead.

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

germsauce wrote: Ended up making sushi instead.

Good idea!!!! Sushi has some very special properties, similar to eating raw oysters.......
If that didn't work, well then look elsewhere......

Weird to see a thread put to such positive use!
Way to go germ, sushi is a great idea.
Bouldering gym is fun too for down the road en route to multi-pitch, then you don't have to worry about rope skills or getting dropped.

If you do take her climbing, take a third party, someone you trust as a leader. Girlfriends have a hard time learning from boyfriends. For some reason, 15+ years of rope skills/skiing skills/backpacking skills/etc. goes out the door and you will have to explain yourself and argue every time you tell her what needs to be done.
As the boyfriend you are automatically semi-retarded in your girl's eyes, so your experience means nothing to her. For some reason she will listen eagerly to anyone else offering advice (stranger at next climb over, random internet info, your buddy). So bring someone you trust and have them give advice. If something fouls it will not be your fault, but a team experience to learn from.
Sounds a bit misogynistic, but it has played out so many times it is mind boggling.

Climbing is like fishing. Way more fun with your bros.

Princess Mia wrote: Good idea!!!! Sushi has some very special properties, similar to eating raw oysters....... If that didn't work, well then look elsewhere......

Is that why I always wind up with my d in the hand roll?

In NV we have all these all you can eat sushi places. The quality is actually not as bad as you think it would be. But it's a horrible idea in the end, you feel like a shark took a shit in your belly. Hardly love makin times.

All you can eat LV buffet is never a good idea on a date......

For some reason, 15+ years of rope skills/skiing skills/backpacking skills/etc. goes out the door and you will have to explain yourself and argue every time you tell her what needs to be done.
As the boyfriend you are automatically semi-retarded in your girl's eyes, so your experience means nothing to her. For some reason she will listen eagerly to anyone else offering advice (stranger at next climb over, random internet info, your buddy).

So true.

David Appelhans wrote: For some reason, 15+ years of rope skills/skiing skills/backpacking skills/etc. goes out the door and you will have to explain yourself and argue every time you tell her what needs to be done. As the boyfriend you are automatically semi-retarded in your girl's eyes, so your experience means nothing to her. For some reason she will listen eagerly to anyone else offering advice (stranger at next climb over, random internet info, your buddy). So true.

You're dating the wrong girls, man. :-)

"All you can eat LV buffet is never a good idea on a date......"

Where's the "like" button?

Tevis Blom wrote: Sounds a bit misogynistic, but it has played out so many times it is mind boggling.

Why is it misogynistic to call a woman who is being a bad partner a bad partner? Why, if a woman is being a stubborn shithead, is it misogynistic to call her one?

The reason she is being a bad partner is because you're in a relationship with her. Perhaps a somewhat dysfunctional one but also perhaps common.

What would happen if you she was trying to teach you modern dance? Or yoga? Or _____ and she was way better at it than you? You'd probably come off as a stubborn shit, as well. (Until the capri-wearing chuff of a teacher came over, hung his balls in your face, and told you how to do the move...)

chufftard wrote: we may disagree on some things, but that is some funny-ass shit colonel!

Good deal. Most posting (mine included) is just ego wanking anyway, I don't take it that personally.