Passed by a soloing couple on a climb.... who was in the wrong?

Ally L wrote:

 and having to stare at your buddy’s ass the whole time. 

don't kink shame

5.4 is trail running. stay to the right. next question.

J C wrote:

5.4 is trail running. stay to the right. next question.

Right, who is roping up for 5.4 anyway!?

Tradiban wrote:

Right, who is roping up for 5.4 anyway!?

Who is even wearing climbing shoes?

I think the hippie death trains on intersection rock and other major features pretty much sum up a huge part of Joshua tree climbing culture. Nothing like taking friends to Josh for the first time and running a lap up the eye right at sunset with the whole crew. 

Tradiban wrote:

Soloists have right of way, you were driving slow in the left lane, so to speak.

As a climber you must accept that others have different risk tolerances and that may make you uncomfortable at times. The assumption that she might fall and break your partners leg seems like a stretch and if she did her fate would certainly overshadow your partners.

You're in way over your head. You are so full of shit I can smell you from here. Thank god for ignoring function; now going into effect.

Glen Prior wrote:

You're in way over your head.

How so?

Glen Prior wrote:

You're in way over your head. You are so full of shit I can smell you from here. Thank god for ignoring function; now going into effect.

Hahaha wow what a freaking man child

Edit @Tradi: I still have much to learn before I process to Knight Yoda

Nic Gravley wrote:

I think the hippie death trains on intersection rock and other major features pretty much sum up a huge part of Joshua tree climbing culture. Nothing like taking friends to Josh for the first time and running a lap up the eye right at sunset with the whole crew. 

Hippy Death Train would be a great stoner rock group name.

Even I’ve soloed The Eye. And I don’t even solo. I was even the hippy death caboose on that rig.

Mark Webster wrote:

TC solo-bros

Tradiban wrote:

Oh haha, he must have added the offensive language post my post.

Thing is, “in over your head” doesn’t apply properly to his disposition towards myself, so I am honestly interested in what was so offending to Glen.

Edit: @Yoda

I thought it was a reasonable analysis of the OP’s quandary and even usual detractors (and the OP) agreed with me! If Glen would chime back in with some explanation that would be swell.

I think the idea that a soloist climbing above me who is shaky and not solid should be a non issue due to their death being worse than my broken leg is a weirdly nihilistic take on life, but he probably doesn’t need to be so upset about it because as dumb as the thought is it’s pretty harmless in practice. 

x15x15 wrote:

If I solo when no one is around, am I a soloist?

Greg Davis wrote:

I think the idea that a soloist climbing above me who is shaky and not solid should be a non issue due to their death being worse than my broken leg is a weirdly nihilistic take on life, but he probably doesn’t need to be so upset about it because as dumb as the thought is it’s pretty harmless in practice. 

“Shaky and not solid” is a matter of opinion and “Hesitation” was mentioned but that’s just normal safe soloing behavior. In short, I think the OP was simply uncomfortable with the situation and he agreed with me.

The point regarding nihilism is moot considering the OP agreed neither he or his partner were in danger.

Regardless I think it’s healthy to explore the contrast of outcomes of any life or death situation, helps people keep things in perspective. Would the soloist falling ruined their day? Sure, but the soloist is dead! Who had the worse day?

Tradiban wrote:

“Shaky and not solid” is a matter of opinion and “Hesitation” was mentioned but that’s just normal safe soloing behavior. In short, I think the OP was simply uncomfortable with the situation and he agreed with me.

The point regarding nihilism is moot considering the OP agreed neither he or his partner were in danger.

Regardless I think it’s healthy to explore the contrast of outcomes of any life or death situation, helps people keep things in perspective. Would the soloist falling ruined their day? Sure, but the soloist is dead! Who had the worse day?

It’s not that one is worse it’s that both are bad. I’m still scared to stand next to you if you just swallowed a grenade despite our disparate fates.

Greg Davis wrote:

It’s not that one is worse it’s that both are bad. I’m still scared to stand next to you if you just swallowed a grenade despite our disparate fates.

Good one Greg! Roflmfao...

Greg Davis wrote:

It’s not that one is worse it’s that both are bad. I’m still scared to stand next to you if you just swallowed a grenade despite our disparate fates.

Most people believe in various levels of “bad”, that’s what “having perspective” is all about.

In addition, swallowing a grenade, presuming the pin has been pulled, is guaranteed death and explosion thus endangering the innocent bystander, the OPs scenario is nothing of the sort.

Greg Davis wrote:

It’s not that one is worse it’s that both are bad. I’m still scared to stand next to you if you just swallowed a grenade despite our disparate fates.

Am I the only one whose brain went immediately to the French Quarter?

If a soloist makes a choice to put themselves at risk, fine.  The problem is putting others at risk who did not make that choice.

TBlom wrote:

If a soloist makes a choice to put themselves at risk, fine.  The problem is putting others at risk who did not make that choice.

But, just the fact that they are climbing means they enjoy a very risky and deadly hobby.  So, they are already at risk of dying. So be it...

Didn’t Alex and Tommy cover this nuance on a reel rock? The party passing without actually asking (because they are faster) must ask “where are you from?” “Oh neat, my babushka is from there.” “Are you having fun?” “Oh, good.” “See you later, keep up the good work Gumby losers .” The first party must then accept they were passed by greatness and it’s all good.