Mountain Project Logo

What's the deal with the chair in RC?

josh holmes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 215
rging wrote:So that was one of their former troop mates at Goblin Valley a few weeks ago. Quite the legacy.
+1

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.
Whenever I hear of some lame douchebaggery it usually originates in utah county.

"they've done an' gone full utard, never go full utard"
-deadword abbey
Clifton Santiago · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0

I don't see the big deal about the chair, in fact, it seems like a pretty neat idea to me. Climbing is such a ridiculous thing to begin with, there is a long standing tradition of climbers hanging stuff off cliff sides in a nod to absurdist effort with no payout other than a unique vista for a sunset, or sharing something unique with an insider group of close friends.

The problem with these cats is they are whoring the sport to self-promote. You used to have to be on the inside to be in the know about these things, and for the guys that did them the secret was 3/5ths the fun. You had to in some way deserve or have earned access to the info, which made it all the cooler.

The "hey, look at how cool I am" angle to this thing tarnishes all the novelty and uniqueness of this otherwise kinda inspired stunt. The more people that know, by definition the more mainstream it becomes, until all the shine of participating in, and even adding your own individual style to, a fringe sport is lost, and we're hipsters with ropes.

Dow Williams · · St. George, Utah; Canmore, AB · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 240
Clifton Santiago wrote:I don't see the big deal about the chair, in fact, it seems like a pretty neat idea to me. Climbing is such a ridiculous thing to begin with, there is a long standing tradition of climbers hanging stuff off cliff sides in a nod to absurdist effort with no payout other than a unique vista for a sunset, or sharing something unique with an insider group of close friends. The problem with these cats is they are whoring the sport to self-promote. You used to have to be on the inside to be in the know about these things, and for the guys that did them the secret was 3/5ths the fun. You had to in some way deserve or have earned access to the info, which made it all the cooler. The "hey, look at how cool I am" angle to this thing tarnishes all the novelty and uniqueness of this otherwise kinda inspired stunt. The more people that know, by definition the more mainstream it becomes, until all the shine of participating in, and even adding your own individual style to, a fringe sport is lost, and we're hipsters with ropes.
Agree with some of your points Clifton...but...the big issue I would have if I was local where these kids are playing at is access being threatened for everyone. I know the stupid rope swing got parks thinking. If these idiots did something like this around most of the places I climb, Zion or Banff for example....it would just be another excuse to limit climbers access to establishing routes on local cliffs, etc. I could see your point to a degree if any of their stunts involved talent, climbing at a certain grade, etc. But really just dumb tricks anyone could pull off with the addition of someone dumb enough to embark on a media campaign to promote same. Most of the mainstream media think Everest is some sort of technical climb boys, so don't let it go to your head that they might think a rope swing or bolted chair is a significant stunt.
R. Moran · · Moab , UT · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 140

Did he say 70lbs chair? I call Bullshit!

Clifton Santiago · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0
Dow Williams wrote: Agree with some of your points Clifton...but...the big issue I would have if I was local where these kids are playing at is access being threatened for everyone. I know the stupid rope swing got parks thinking. If these idiots did something like this around most of the places I climb, Zion or Banff for example....it would just be another excuse to limit climbers access to establishing routes on local cliffs, etc. I could see your point to a degree if any of their stunts involved talent, climbing at a certain grade, etc. But really just dumb tricks anyone could pull off with the addition of someone dumb enough to embark on a media campaign to promote same. Most of the mainstream media think Everest is some sort of technical climb boys, so don't let it go to your head that they might think a rope swing or bolted chair is a significant stunt.
If the spirit of climbing has any remaining sanctity, all this handwringing over access is excessive. I realize it's a slippery slope, but what these guys did totally jibes with the "outside the box", fun-loving, absurdist tradition I grew up with. If they had flown under the radar, told a few friends, and kept this chair for a brief time, as a badge of their own uniqueness within their circle, my hat's off to them.

They fucked up big time and embarrassed themselves in the larger climbing community by using their creativity and technical knowledge not to enhance and share the enjoyment of the sport with those who could appreciate it, but by posting an advertisement for ego and fame for people to consume along with Kim Kardashian and light-saber guy. That Inside Edition is interested at all should illustrate how far down the ladder they have tumbled. It is telling that they see this publicity as an achievement, rather than an embarrassment.

Basically, the chair is cool. Advertising it is beyond lame.
Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130








Once you change the rock, it doesn't grow back. Sometimes the change is for the better, sometimes it ain't.
Clifton Santiago · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0

My Aunt had balls.. we called her Uncle Bill

Crisco Jackass · · Grand Junction, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 0
Clifton Santiago wrote: ... Basically, the chair is cool. Advertising it is beyond lame.
Bravo.

I had to close that video when he said "redundant backup", now there's a logic loop running if my fucking head looking for the end of that statement.
Josh Triplett · · Bountiful, UT · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 0

Personally I don't like the idea of something that large being permanent. I get the idea. But what is the point to all this? Why not just enjoy the view from the top where you are repelling anyway? I don't love the sight of bolts on rock, but I understand their whole purpose is safety, not a stunt. I feel like the chair is just unnecessary. I like to think I'm a minamalist. I sport climb, but hate extra bolts and bolts where they don't belong. Let's try and keep the areas as minimally scarred by our sport as possible. That is just my two cents.

As a side note Ferguson Canyon has become the same way RC is when they put in that damned parking lot and opened up access for more people. It brought in a lot more animals and careless owners, dumb kids with no respect for the land. It is just a by-product of easing access. I hate being on the cathedral and smelling people's smoke too.

Coddles · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 5

Problem solved...

no more bolts

Glenn Schuler · · Monument, Co. · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,330

Rob Schwartzmann offered up beer as a reward for chopping back on page 1. Make sure you collect on that offer.

BigNobody · · all over, mostly Utah · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 10

What a thread! Great reading. Better posturing. And excellent accusations! Would make for a great TV 'reality' show. Has Austin et. al. been approached for a tv/movie deal yet?

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Josh Triplett wrote: I hate being on the cathedral and smelling people's smoke too.
I hate smelling farts (unless they are my own of course) in fact I'll take whiff of a ciggy /weed over a nasty fart any day
Brad Gone · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 5

That photo is a bit backlit, isn't it?

Boissal . · · Small Lake, UT · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1,541
Coddles wrote:Problem solved...
Your doing? Hope you picked up some trash on the way out the canyon...
Coddles · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 5
Boissal wrote: Your doing? Hope you picked up some trash on the way out the canyon...
My hands were full so no additional "trash" was removed.
Boissal . · · Small Lake, UT · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1,541
Coddles wrote: My hands were full so no additional "trash" was removed.
My fucking point exactly. I'd pat you on the back but it looks like you got it covered...
Coddles · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 5
Boissal wrote: My fucking point exactly. I'd pat you on the back but it looks like you got it covered...
LOL, I'm sensing some sarcasm here. Removing the chair and bolts would have been ok with you as long as some additional trash was picked up? That makes sense...
Boissal . · · Small Lake, UT · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1,541
Coddles wrote: LOL, I'm sensing some sarcasm here. Removing the chair and bolts would have been ok with you as long as some additional trash was picked up? That makes sense...
At least you patched the holes, thanks for that.
BigNobody · · all over, mostly Utah · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 10

Youtube link for the chair removal?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
Post a Reply to "What's the deal with the chair in RC?"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

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

Get Started.