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Serious

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buckwilk · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2015 · Points: 0

Started climbing in the 70's, mostly Tahoe, Yosemite, Bishop. Got hit by a truck in SLT in the late 70's which put a dent in my ability to climb at my previous level. This past summer I spent 6 mo. on the road and visited many climbing sites with mixed results. I wasn't always there to climb but to watch and enjoy my time in the area. I was almost never made to feel welcome. These areas are public but some climbers acted as if it was private property and I was trespassing. I never intrude, watch from a distance and don't get in the way. At times I was astounded by the rudeness and arrogance of the folks I encountered. I'm not saying that everyone was this way but enough to destroy the experience. On the flip side I was having coffee in Bishop and a group of young folks in town to boulder, sat near me and struck up a conversation. The folks were 40 years younger than me. We had great conversation and after a couple of hours they had to get on the road back to Washington state. Every one of them hugged me on their way out. That was two years ago and I've not had another experience any where like that since. What's the point, older folks like me are not your enemy, we are not immune to disrespect. Seeing the level of climbing going on today is inspiring, even to someone my age. The idea that bad behavior is acceptable any where, here, the mountains is not acceptable. I just wanted to get this off my mind, I'm sure that no one here treats folks this way. Hope to see you out there, I'll be the guy with a smile, be safe.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

Yep. Some people are friendly and some are not. ??????????????

frank minunni · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined May 2011 · Points: 95

Sorry to hear about your experience in most places. I'm giving props to the climbers, young and old here in Vegas. I moved here 5 years ago and wasn't really sure how I'd be received, even though I'm pretty gregarious. I'll say the younger climber, have been really great to an old curmudgeon like myself. When I tell them how long I've been climbing, they get pretty psyched and say that they hope they're still climbing when they're my age.

buckwilk · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2015 · Points: 0
FrankPS wrote:Yep. Some people are friendly and some are not. ??????????????
That's true, I guess the point is I don't recall that kind of attitude in the time I was climbing. I remember we were always impressed that someone noticed us. It was always fun showing gear and explaining how we applied it. We loved to climb and enjoyed sharing it. I didn't experience that this summer. I just wonder if the people in the scene have are different or is it the world of climbing has evolved into something my buds and I don't recognize. The interesting thing is, I still skate, and when I show up the locals make me feel welcome and can't wait to share. Interesting juxtaposition.
Greg Pouliot · · Rumney NH · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 90

Some people are dicks. I live in rumney nh and the majority of the locals here are super inviting. I've only been here a year and already I've become one of them. A lot of out of towners treat most climbers like shit though. Almost like the crag belongs to them. I've heard it said that in certain areas of the country you'll get looked down upon if you don't crush 13 brah. My experience in the bouldering community in the Adirondacks though was awesome. People get stoked to see you send v2 when they're climbing v8. Climbing us some kind of competition for a lot of people as well. I feel like they lose the fun of it because they're all trying to one up each other. Don't get discouraged though. Fck the people who act like dicks and get after it with people who aren't. And come to Rumney if you want some good folks to climb with. We're nice here.

Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419

As a social group, climbers now really expound an exclusive club-like stance
compared to - an inclusive to all who show up, stance.
Age and experience always cycle - youth trumps mostly, not always.
(you can't tell these 'kids' anything,)
as an exasperated final comment by a older person , has always been around

As for respect or examples of handling the lack of it on line;

Frank M, I saw that last RIP D. O spray-othon. Good on you for sticking to your point: That at the point where responsibility for everyone in your sphere of influence has expanded to include a child,
priorities should change. The measure of character is evident in the amount/level of change.

That you drew the response of, so little respect?
Including the; - "did you ever wear a helmet ?" ?

I schooled The eastern n00b, but, was not up for the storm ..
You can take care of it, just fine
..you fight to clean . . . .

name any one of your 1st's and +.11 sends, and show your helmet
for the sake of both , all that is safe and holy &.
., approved by . . . .
PAS buying, gear tossing,
no0bs!

I have a saying that I mumble out loud, as I top rope, in a crowd:

" we're All Gym Climbers Now-Jake-"

I admire your high boiling point and humility. The two posters together won't climb 1/2as long as you.
Soon it will be their kids who don't respect us. /;-g

TSluiter · · Holland, VT · Joined May 2013 · Points: 314

Bummer that you had that experience, not fun.

Personally, I've only met one climber who wasn't open to having a good time with others. I was up in Quebec, getting ready to hop on a route that they were rapping off. My girlfriend and I struck up a conversation with a lady, real friendly. We were talking about the climbing in the ADK's/VT and NH.

Down raps her boyfriend and we chat him up a bit. He doesn't speak to us at all, only to his partner and says (in French, which I don't speak but my lady does): "We don't climb down there. They stay there, we stay up here." It was a little off-putting but I wasn't bothered, the best climber is the one having the most fun.

Other than that one experience, every climber or group of climbers has always been both friendly and fun. Helps to bring a couple extra cold brews when I go out. Sharing is caring.

thecmacattack · · Denver, Colorado · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 30

my and my girlfriend ran into some heavily mustached hipsters who were waaaay too cool to talk to us at a crag in northern cali.

I like to strike up conversations with most of the people i meet and ive never really had any bad experiences. most the time you just have to understand when someone doesnt want to talk. but if they're just reserved, keep asking benign questions and you'll find some common ground to chat about

Luke Bertelsen · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Feb 2005 · Points: 4,867

I have traveled all over the country and had experiences that make me worried for the human race and others that have made me feel so great due to the help and hospitality offered up by total strangers. My take away has always been to try and be a better local and a better traveling climber.

In my mind that means having a welcoming attitude, offering help if your are able, and calling people out when they are doing something that isn't safe or kosher. It's not always easy, but it's a solid way to think and aspire to act.

It goes without saying that depending on where you are or who you meet your experiences will be all over the place.

I hope you get more hugs and less rudeness down the road.

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

Pebble pullahs are often the friendliest climabs around IME

They can ALWAYS use moah cheerleaders and spottahs

TRers and trad folks i find generally the least friendly ....

;)

steverett · · Boston, MA · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 105
TSluiter wrote: He doesn't speak to us at all, only to his partner and says (in French, which I don't speak but my lady does): "We don't climb down there. They stay there, we stay up here."
Funny, on any given weekend it seems like 1/3 of the cars at the Gunks have Quebec plates!
Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480
steverett wrote: Funny, on any given weekend it seems like 1/3 of the cars at the Gunks have Quebec plates!
It's 2/3 in the Dacks :)
TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

I think in Boulder there is an unwritten commandment,
"Thou shalt not speak to those climbing 2 grades below thee."

Paul Hutton · · Nephi, UT · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 740

Must be bad parenting, dude. Hopefully, you can stay friendly and make their day better. Was their any beta spray you're not mentioning? LOL!

Jplotz · · Cashmere, WA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 1,315

Maybe the territorial feeling comes from people feeling the pressure of the hoardes. The social gymification of climbers these days, where they need frequent validation. I'm old and just don't care anymore. I've gone to other crags and been totally ignored by older, grumpy climbers like myself and found it oddly refreshing! Just because you're ignored doesn't mean you're not welcome. You're old and invisible. Just get used to it.

Joy likes trad · · Southern California · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 71

I missed the free love years of Cailifornia. What you described sounds typical of big city folks in the west to me. Most of the people at the crag are after all from one of the bigger towns, at least at peak season.

Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506
steverett wrote: Funny, on any given weekend it seems like 1/3 of the cars at the Gunks have Quebec plates!
That would be early and late season, we can't handle the summer heat down in "upstate" New York.

and there's a few types of Quebec climbers, one of which is very similar to the Northeast Trad community, Gym sport climbers (can be loud, always travels in groups, found were bolts are less than 8 feet apart), and your usual solitary grumps you find everywhere.
TSluiter · · Holland, VT · Joined May 2013 · Points: 314
steverett wrote: Funny, on any given weekend it seems like 1/3 of the cars at the Gunks have Quebec plates!
I know! I see them all the time out here, whether hiking or backpacking in the mountains and they are always friendly. Later that day we got with another group and traded laps on each others top ropes.This fella must have been having a bad day. Don't want to give a bad impression of the Quebecois, they're good people! No, my native Quebecois girlfriend didn't make me say that ;)
buckwilk · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2015 · Points: 0

Interesting, thanks guys. I think you all hit it. Thicker skin, maybe I'll take some twinkies next time. No hidden meaning there.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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