Told you can't climb because of a photo shoot? How do you respond?

CJC wrote: Anyway soloing for a commercial? Seems kinda fucked up to me.

Until they hand you the paycheck for a years worth of living in your van, right? Though it could be BigUp too...

CJC wrote:naw man I solo for deeply personal reasons not money

So if like I was like here's a route well within your soloing range... can we do a shoot of you on it for 1 mm USD? You'd tell me to fuck off? I highly doubt it. I mean I get your point but I just don't see any climber turning down big bucks - say enough to put their kid through college - to do something they are totally comfortable doing.

The Phoenix wrote: can we do a shoot of you on it for 1 mm USD? You'd tell me to fuck off?

i wouldnt do much for 1 mm of a USD. maybe for 155.956 mm

rock_fencer wrote: i wouldnt do much for 1 mm of a USD. maybe for 155.956 mm

wise ass... $1 million

JLP wrote:...most of you pussies would have picked up shit and ate it if these chicks told you to.

I would guess that at least half of us get laid regularly enough to not have to stoop down to this level. But I'm also guessing by your comment that you're desperate enough to eat shit for a chance at some action. If you're real-life personality is anything like your online persona, that doesn't surprise me at all.

Matt Toensing wrote:Most people check threads, conditions, etc. before heading off to a super popular trade route area.

Seriously!? Every time you do a popular trade route, you check the threads on MP, RC.com, & SuperTaco? I hope you're being sarcastic.

The Phoenix wrote: wise ass... $1 million

my apologies...just got a chuckle out of the SI units while taking a break from studying for my 32nd exam this year...

As far as how to respond, what more can you really do but go along your merry way and try to find a route that will give you the experience you were seeking that day? Sure, it sucks that they were trying to 'own' a popular trade route on a crowded day... But what are your options really? And more importantly, what are your goals? Yeah, you could inject yourself into their little circus scene to demand money or make a big stink out of things, to the end of pissing everyone off, raising tensions, and maybe making it harder on them to get their shots. Would that really make you feel better? If you're out there seeking a quality experience, move on. What happened to you is really no different than say a big crowd taking over a crag with TRs when you were hoping to have a route to yourself... Or say some douchebags that outrun you to the base of a big multipitch or ice climb, beating you to it and maybe ruling out your chances of climbing it that day. Everybody has a right to be out there. Even total d-bags, and even a big Holywood production crew. Have a backup plan.

As far as the folks acting like they're holier than Honnold and would never stoop to such a corrupt level of commercialism, give me a f'n break. Nobody here is in a position to judge the motives of someone who is climbing at that level and making a successful career and life out of it for themselves.

...and I'm far less concerned about any of this than the way that just sounded. LOL

Marc H wrote:Seriously!? Every time you do a popular trade route, you check the threads on MP, RC.com, & SuperTaco? I hope you're being sarcastic.

Exactly, the fact they posted something is nice and I appreciate that they did that. But like you say, it's not the kind of thing I'm scouring the net looking for information on while planning my trip. A sign at the bulletin board would have been nice too. But for all I know, Utah Open Lands, BLM, whoever runs the joint may not allow posting stuff like that up.

Kenan wrote:What happened to you is really no different than say a big crowd taking over a crag with TRs when you were hoping to have a route to yourself... Or say some douchebags that outrun you to the base of a big multipitch or ice climb, beating you to it and maybe ruling out your chances of climbing it that day.

The difference is they're trying to monopolize a route on public land to make money. The people you mentioned are just like Willeslinger--out to have fun. That might not make a difference to everyone, but it certainly makes a difference to me.

Kenan wrote: Nobody here is in a position to judge the motives of someone who is climbing at that level and making a successful career and life out of it for themselves.

I imagine this "climbing at his level" comment will warrant some messages flaming you. But I understand what you mean.

Every single photos shoot Honnold does is taking place on someone's day off, vacation, once in a lifetime bucket list trip, etc. it would just be nice if his handlers, film crew, etc didn't have such a douche bag sense of entitlement. Climbers are usually nice, chill people, but also quite independent. For me at least, the difference is being asked, vs being told. We use words because they have meaning. Saying "can you please..." Goes a long way to alter the meaning of whatever follows.

I just want to squash this rumor right now...

You wont get money, they will laugh at you. Most companies don't pay a dime even to the people rigging ropes and doing the climbing. Exceptions to this are North Face and Adidas.

Whoopty-Do, you were unable to climb a trade route because someone is in your way. Don't ever go to Yosemite or Zion or you will spend the next year whining on forums with a bunch of like-minded individuals.

Marc H wrote: The difference is they're trying to monopolize a route on public land to make money. The people you mentioned are just like Willeslinger--out to have fun. That might not make a difference to everyone, but it certainly makes a difference to me.

Is there a difference really though, fundamentally? They're out there pursuing their goals, you're out there pursuing yours. Who's to say which is more pure, or 'valid'? Don't get me wrong, I'm not a big fan of the commercialization of climbing that's going on either. I'm just making the point that they have the right to do their thing out there just as much as any climbing party, and no one can really stop them (assuming they aren't breaking laws, etc). Given that, I'd just move along.

Tank Evans wrote: ever go to Yosemite or Zion or you will spend the next year whining on forums with a bunch of like-minded individuals.

Oh, tell me more about how you pass judgement on the tone of a conversation you just skimmed through. Cause you're so right, I for one plan to never climb a classic route again in my life because of this one event. Instead I'll just go to the Boulder Rock Club and revel in a shared sense of superiority in between my hard day job of whining on Mountain Project.

I can't believe how many people are suggesting being a pain in the ass. Why not just be cool? If we're all wandering around ready to be dicks to each other I'm pretty sure we'll all find some problems. I honestly almost got in a fight waiting in the Home Depot return line once because I was in a bad mood when I got there -- the point being the attitude you project is likely exactly what you'll receive in return.

I ran into this exact same situation in eldorado a few years ago ( mountainproject.com/v/chase…). The guys that asked us to climb something else were cool about it, we were cool about it, and I actually enjoyed seeing the footage once the commercial was done.

I experienced a similar situation at Castleton back in March, when a certain climber was trying her hand at The Ivory Tower. We were there for the Kor-Ingalls. We beat the camera crew to the base and started without incident (also mostly out of view of The Ivory Tower).

At the top, the climber wanted to know how long we were going to be on the summit, and how many were behind us. I didn't know, the crux pitch was hard and we had two parties of 2 working the route. Ultimately, we hid as best we could so she could get her summit shot with the rotocopter.

On the way down, we ran into the photographer/filmer (David Clifford) and he was actually an extremely pleasant person to talk to. He gave no indication of any frustration with other people climbing on Castleton that day.

If you were planning on spending your day off playing basketball, and arrive at the court to find Michael Jordan playing for a shoot would you be bummed or physiced you got to see it?

I agree it is all in the attitude of how they tell or ask you not to climb.

Its totally about your attitude and its "not what you say but how you say it". Example: I ranted and raved this morning on this thread; what I got was not warm loving, forward moving responses. BUT on other threads today I've complimented others and expressed my gratitude for them sharing their stories, photos, whatsoever; and I was given positive, friendly responses.

It always matters at the crags/walls and beyond into everyday life.

Public or private land? Screw them if public,,they should have the flexibility to avoid others by off hours or months, otherwise they should be paying theBLM some kind of user fee with a pre-use notice sent out to all climbing links months ahead. Tough luck for them,,it's only pics and we can be in the background if we like.

Edit: Sorry this post ran crazy,,it wouldn't post at all, then went wild on me here. Thanks for administrator who dumped the multiple posts.

First, I hope this doesn't auto-replicate like woodchuck's comment.

Second, I would be upset if a whole area esp w/ multipitch got shut down for a business enterprise, when there is a single climber on one route. Beats the purpose of being unshackled as a free soloist when you have a possee complete with helicopters.

I felt the exact opposite way with BCA who was complaning about church gangbangers already on a single one-pitch route, and the guide eating tuna. I think in that case, she should piss off and find one of the other 1,999 routes to climb.