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

Original Post
germsauce Epstein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 55

She's athletic, owns shoes, but not exactly a climber. Not enough time post work for a flatiron, so what's a simple 1-3 pitch 5.6-5.9 with some cozy belays, good sun and a good view to uncork a bottle of vino at the top?

was thinking:
Wrinkles in time in Upper Dream,
the 5.6 crack at Elephant Buttress
wind-tower &/or Calypso/reggae?
or just hand her some TCU's/RP's and throw her on China Doll?

snicho · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 20

There's a 5.6 on the west side of castle rock. It has a bolted anchor for the first pitch and then you can just find a cruiser way to the top. Probably also 5.6. I've taken a couple of people to do their first lead there. Great beginner route!

TheBirdman Friedman · · Eldorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 65

Just skip the pleasantries and get down to business. Women like a straightforward guy.

nitroclubboulder.com

MTN MIA · · Vail · Joined May 2006 · Points: 405

I agree with birdman........skip climbing..... And don't forget glasses, chocolate and strawberries.

germsauce Epstein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 55

My date rack consists of a nice malbec, stawberries, chocolate, daisy chain and belay glasses.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Princess Mia wrote:I agree with birdman........skip climbing..... And don't forget glasses, chocolate and strawberries.
and seconded. Most girls that I've met who don't already climb, like talking about going climbing more than actually going climbing. But maybe that's a Boulder thing.

I should stop trying to pick up girls at the coffee shop just because they have a locking carabiner on their osprey pack. :o)
Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945
Scott McMahon wrote: Most girls that I've met who don't already climb, like talking about going climbing more than actually going climbing. But maybe that's a Boulder thing.
Nope we get it here in CT. . . my gf does it ALL the time.
MTN MIA · · Vail · Joined May 2006 · Points: 405

Yeah the Osprey pack is a dead give away that they will never become climbers.....

Sorden · · Estes Park, CO · Joined Sep 2003 · Points: 95

+1 for the pic!

Breezy on Wind Tower, nothing from your list, here's why:

I hear you that you want to get up more than one pitch. Usually a nice top rope situation would be ideal; she isn't an experience lead belayer, she probably has little experience rappelling. Avoid rappelling at all costs! Avoid Calypso, probably the most sandbagged 5.6 in Eldo. Reggae? C'mon man, you're trying to impress her, not scare the shit out of her. Avoid Wind Ridge, the classic start is tricky 5.8 and I've had to bail off the first pitch more than once because the nOOb with me couldn't pull the flake start (the easy start isn't great rock IMHO.) So, Breezy is a fun 5.4 with great gear she won't have to futz with and no awkward moves save perhaps off the deck. It's a walk-off and the top of P2 is a great place to watch the sunset (hint, hint.) Start small, work your way up, no epics, no tears, no lost gear. Build her confidence and she will establish trust you can exploit later. If you want superhero status, hike up the descent and stash the bottle of wine the day before. I have no idea where you'd stash it but it would be impressive to pull off. Good luck!

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Sorden wrote:Build her confidence and she will establish trust you can exploit later.
This is probably the FUNNIEST thing I've heard all week.
Andrew Sharpe · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2009 · Points: 25

^ Agreed. I admit I laughed heartily at that statement.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
JLP wrote: Those shoes are probably from the last dork who tried to convert her into their climbing partner. I say you're toast.
HAHA!!! Oh how I LIKE where this thread is headed!!! +10 ^^^^
Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60

Let's see, she's not really a climber, but because she owns some shoes you're thinking about taking her up something as involved as a 3 pitch 5.9?

Dude, you're so not getting laid.

MTN MIA · · Vail · Joined May 2006 · Points: 405

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......

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510

You might be confusing East Face Slab or whatever it is on The Dome for the 5.6 crack on Elephant, there is the 5.7 standard route, but if I didn't climb and a date took me on that I would be pissed.

Did SHE ask YOU to go climbing? A friend of mine, a woman, took a guy she was seeing (not a climber) up to lumpy a few months ago, they didn't date much longer after that... forcing people into perceived life or death situations doesn't end up as romantic as a lot of folks think it will.

The Riviera has some straight forward climbs you could toprope, keep it simple...

Andy Novak · · Bailey, CO · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 370

germ, we all know Alf won't mind what route you take him on. He just wants to climb.

Andrew Sharpe · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2009 · Points: 25

wine + rappelling multiple pitches with new (climber) girl = bad

Crush Whale's Tale or something.
It's easy and has a decent view.

I vote some short, easy, TR and single pitch stuff. You've got to ease her into multipitch, like this perhaps: TR, short sport lead, long sport lead, short gear lead, and then super easy multipitch ala 1st or 3rd Flatiron. Practice rappelling too. ...and short approaches to start. Racing daylight wouldn't be so good.

My GF is a non-climber, but I eased her into every aspect of it. Her first "multipitch" was not so good. Very steep, but short approach with a semi-hanging belay atop 1 pitch and she was done. It was a 5.3 but I hadn't been there so the approach and belay station were a surprise. We rapped off. She still climbs with me though and marriage is not so far off either. Don't scare her man.

TheBirdman Friedman · · Eldorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 65
youtube.com/watch?v=pamHRy8…

3:12. Use that line and her panties will fly off.
Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60

Let's put it this way, when I met my wife, she climbed (we met thru a mutual climbing partner) but our first date still wasn't climbing related. First we had a cas lunch. That went well so we had dinner. Within a week we pretty much knew where things were going and we still didn't climb together for maybe another month.

If you like her, date her. If you want to climb, go climbing. Give it some time to see whether you can combine those activities.

Sir Wanksalot · · County Jail · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 10

I would listen to the only lady giving advice on this forum. In all honesty... climbers think they are much cooler than they actually are in reality. Climbing is a pretty stupid and often scary endevor to the non-climber. If your intent is to get closer to this girl, the last thing you want to do is scare her. Trust = naked girl in your room. Scared = fully clothed girl leaving pissed. Why do you think musicians see so much action?

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318

Why is there an automatic assumption that germsauce's date is going to be scared shitless? It's not 1950 and it is Boulder. Even before I started climbing I would have been far more impressed with someone that took me climbing instead of the usual wine and dine thing. Maybe she's OK with exposure.

What about roping up for the downclimb off the First Flatiron? Great views, plenty of holds and exposure, and it sets the stage to talk about doing one of the longer routes if it goes well. Agree you may want to skip or cut back on the alcohol. You could also give her a backup prusik for the rap if you have any concerns.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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