The Future of Climbing...

A few ideas from Europe -- who knows if they'll cross over to USA:

• the number of Bouldering-only indoor gyms will grow.
• the average size of the Boulder-only gyms will grow.
• more sections of crags near populated areas will be configured to be convenient and "safer" for families with young children.
• more sections of crags near populated areas will be configured to be convenient and "safer" for high school (and middle-school) outings.
• the number of Via Ferrata routes will grow.
• some VF routes near populated areas will not be on mountains or cliffs or even natural rock at all.
• professional guide-persons will make money guiding clients on Via Ferrata routes.
• tourism associations and major destination resorts will pay for bolts and anchors (and Via Ferrata routes?) to be installed on nearby crags -- to compete in attracting families and conference groups.

protection that floats anywhere we place it or that sticks to the rock at a nano level and is removed with no residue (a la gecko feet), either would allow as many placements as close together as you could carry/ place

hangdogger's delight!

- jon

and a few non-Euro ideas:

• the percentage of people who love climbing (several times a week) but almost never climb outdoors, will grow.
• the number of auto-belays at (the remaining non-Bouldering-only) indoor gyms will grow.
• the number of auto-belays with "extra upward assist" to make it easier for heavier or less-finger-strong people to enjoy the same indoor climbing routes will grow.
• for seaside areas where corrosion of bolts is a problem, a whole new approach to sport-climbing protection will be invented.

first free solo of the Nose

Darren Mabe wrote:first free solo of the Nose

onsight

Interesting to me that nobody is thinking about the future of "style" in climbing. Have the light and fast ideas been taken to their endpoints?

In the near future we'll see more bold enchainments or traverses on big and bad objectives from climbers in peak condition climbing in a bold and totally committed style.

Ultra marathoners will bring their ridiculous genetics and willingness to suffer to the mountains and give us a new picture of what is possible as they gain technical ability.

As the mainstream of mainstream climbing gets broader and more "democratic" the edges will get even more radical with new grades being broken into in sport, trad and free soloing. Alex Honnold has shown us the way.

And oh yeah, almost forgot, a new but obscure sufferfest will emerge in the northeast/mid-atlantic begun by a group of masochists who came up with the idea on Mountainproject.

bolt gun -- but now it will be an app

This problem is global as the following information explains:

savingenergy.wordpress.com/…

In the near future, Ueli Steck's grandson will make an ascent of an unnamed peak on a distant frozen planet while searching for water sources for future generations. Wearing the new "ice-gecko" Teva's!
Sans O2.

I foresee going climbing, then drinking beer around a campfire.

offset hexes

Matt N wrote:I foresee going climbing, then drinking beer around a campfire.

+1

Also, gear made of carbon nanotubes!

Tom-o Erectus wrote: In the near future, Euli Steck's grandson will make an ascent of an unnamed peak on a distant frozen planet while searching for water sources for future generations. Wearing the new "ice-gecko" Teva's! Sans O2.

But getting his ass kicked by several hundred sherpa aliens

Darren Mabe wrote:offset hexes

That gave me a good chuckle.

BuffJohnson said: But getting his ass kicked by several hundred sherpa aliens

That's great!

I could see places like the Gunks limiting the number of climbers. It'll be a lottery, just as Elk hunting is here in PA: you give money, they draw if you're picked you climb, if you're not well...give them more money and better "luck" next time.

I wonder if there's a way to streamline the Big Bro placements? They're not terrible to place but I see potential in making it even easier. By placement I mean design to allow EVEN easier placement. Ill bet there's some engineers out there who could come up with something.

Infinity cams, one size fits literally anything.

The Stoned Master wrote:There's no way when the "clean" climbing "revolution" came about that they could have known that Ray Jardine would rock the climbing world with his (fucking amazing!) Invention; or at least his version. So what don't we see coming? What's your prediction of the future of climbing? Predictions/direction for protection, culure/society, big wall specific gear (portaledges, etc), clothing, ropes, harnesses, biners, aid gear, guidebooks, etc, etc. Are there gaps that can be filled? I think our ropes and pro are pretty badass and safe already. Is there really room for "improvement"? Are they safe, reliable enough already? What about guidebooks? You think there will be some new standard that we just haven't done/seen yet? Like the layouts or topos, etc. I'm making "small talk". Curious what the future of our love will be like, ESPECIALLY with so many new comers and gyms. Will High Schools soon have bouldering teams? Colleges? Do some already? I could see bouldering comps becoming a high school national sport one day. Its possible. What do we have now that you think will be looked at as outdated and "old school"? There's no right or wrong here. Silly or serious, all opinions/predictions are welcome. Thanks all!

I'm in high school right now and I'm the only that one that rock climbs..even if it's just in a gym. I talk about it to my friends a lot, and they seem interested, but we can't do anything to start a club or team. You'd have to an administrator be there, as well, or someone to be a coach, and they probably don't think it'd be worth it. It's a shame.

Materials!
They've changed practically everything we take for granted now... Who's to say we won't see the same types of evolution in climbing in the near future?
What will be considered "Old-School"?? -- Aluminum, Nylon, Dyneema, Gore-Tex, "sticky rubber???". . . Magnesium Carbonate??? Haha

Matt R wrote: I'm in high school right now and I'm the only that one that rock climbs..even if it's just in a gym. I talk about it to my friends a lot, and they seem interested, but we can't do anything to start a club or team. You'd have to an administrator be there, as well, or someone to be a coach, and they probably don't think it'd be worth it. It's a shame.

Man.. I live just outside of Vail Colorado.. and I'm begging kids to help start a climbing team at our school. There is a league in our area, but our High School just doesn't have any kids with interest. I figure if I keep promoting the idea we'll eventually have a small presence, keep up the pressure, ask teachers if they've climbed, bug them and your friends until you make it happen.

tri cams

they'll still work everywhere

Enough with these rosy, la de da, predictions:
Global warming really heats up....
Due largely to a radical right-wing coalition green-party coming into power, all access to the outdoors beyond paved areas is restricted, climbing is banned; climbers become outlaws. Individuals caught attempting to climb are placed into re-education camps where their forced labor is used to create parking lots and golf course club communities for the very wealthy.
Authorities actively and aggressively attempt to erase all evidence of climbing, both in the history books and in the field.

Meanwhile on the Mars colony climbing continues to thrive with the first pressure suit free, unsupported ascent of Olympus Mons.