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My own generation of California rock climbers (1974-1984) had a habit of not speaking to non-climbers about climbing. Maybe this was pure snobbery. Maybe it was not.

If some chubby co-worker non-climber could not appreciate the finer points of climbing and the glorious mountains…then what’s the point of talking to him about climbing?

My generation of climbers was a quiet and more judgmental generation. I’m talking about dedicated, committed individuals who were serious or pretty darn serious about climbing. The crags gave us something special that was intense and very personal.

Today’s generation of climbers seems different, more ordinary, like climbing to a lot of them is just another outdoor “recreation.” They walk down the street in climbing clothes and they paste climbing bumper stickers on their cars. Surely you know those people are climbers then! If they wear tech clothes to work and display climbing bumper stickers!

In professional settings I’ve run across younger people who have “climbing calendars” up on their walls, and they blab to their baffled co-workers about sport routes or snow slogs they’ve done. I’ve listened a few times, but I never tell them that I once was a pretty serious climber. These climbers seem so “mainstream,” whereas my generation was quite a bit more “counter-culture.”

Though I was thin, a few non-climbers noticed that I had these freakishly developed forearm and calf muscles. I did tell them that I developed those muscles from climbing or training for climbs. That’s the only way most people ever found out I was a climber!

I guess I was too egotistical about my little climbing accomplishments and the risks I took to share my personal climbing stories with ignorant and chubby non-climbers. They would never understand, anyway.

Anyone else feel the same way?




``steve1215


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I think your thread Steve ties in nicely with the "Elitism" thread.
http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/elitism-t52172.html

What about us folks that are very interested in becoming climbers, but are just starting out?

You don't sound like the kind of "climber" I would want to talk with anyway. I am just a hiker and scrambler, but would like to get into alpine climbing at some point. I was part of the climbing club at my college for a while, and like the above poster pointed out, many of them had attitudes like you and reminded me of the worst type of yuppie. This is Seattle, so that's not surprising, but the type of people who like to exclude others due to simple lack of experience come across as fairly rude in general, at least to me.

I do agree that wearing/displaying climbing stuff in more than a passive way is stupid. But it's not any worse than the hordes of cyclists in this city who walk around in too-tight compression shorts all day long.

I don't look like a climber and never did. I'm a chubby gumby. But I climb and have a hell of a great time with all kinds of friends...beginners and experienced climbers. I see no reason to treat most of the world with contempt in order to protect my (precious!) skills or highly calibrated mental state.

Steve1215 wrote:Today’s generation of climbers seems different, more ordinary, like climbing to a lot of them is just another outdoor “recreation.” They walk down the street in climbing clothes and they paste climbing bumper stickers on their cars. Surely you know those people are climbers then! If they wear tech clothes to work and display climbing bumper stickers!

"Tech clothes"... That is funny. Cuz the type of climbing I do and have done since long before '74, today's "tech clothes" last one day if even a single pitch. Chinese trendy fashion statement crap with some brand label. It makes today's recreationalists look "cool". Just like all them skaters, snowboarders and other trendy folks.

Climbing has and will be the lifestyle that I chose to live back in the late 60's as young kid. Had absolutely nothing to do with the clothes or today's brand name crap that goes with recreational gig. Nothing. Hell, eating outta garbage cans, PB sandwiches, thumbing to the rocks and hills and just plain living in the dirt for weeks, now that was the deal back then. Still was for me till I finally decided to settle down (in the mountains that I love mind you) and marry my Wonderful Wife 6 years ago. I still am known for heading to local crags for three or four days and living in the dirt.

Dirt Dwellers with itchy crotches I tell ya. No longer the gig. Nope. Where's the closest Motel 6 and the evening Fillet Minion and after meal hot shower/internet connection to paste my days doings all over my Facebook page. That is today's gig.

Who cares what others are doing, saying, wearing, hanging on their wall; etc... ?

Seems to me that a great part of climbing is the removal of yourself from that very type of everyday crap. If your focus is on the peripheral habits of others, you ain't doing it right.

I think some people spend too much time worrying about what others do.

I agree with JasonH, but I also think a lot of people try to validate their own ideas and beliefs by broadcasting them onto others. I wouldn't talk to non-climbers (in my case non-hikers, scramblers, or snow climbers) because it wouldn't interest them and I would get that dull, blank face. If they want to talk about what I have done and what I like to do, I talk to them about it, but that basically never happens. It is probably just a good idea to not engage others in talking about our own self interests, that way we don't have to listen to others ramble on about their politics, their kids, their what ever.

I've probably been guilty of what Mr. Leghorn points out. I've had to learn to be more polite and quit assuming everyone wants to hear about my weekend.

It's just life, nothing to be taken seriously. If someone thinks you're old school or new school or this or that, doesn't change your life, don't even bother thinking about it. I'm not trying to sound like a dick, just my standpoint. It is what it is.

Interesting topic indeed. I guess I'm lumped into the "new generation" of climbers who put bumper stickers on their cars, wear climbing clothes, and talk about climbing to non-climbing people. I do it because I'm really psyched on climbing. It comprises a huge chunk of my life. So, in order to talk to people who I am going to be getting to know, it's kind of hard not to bring up climbing. I also just love talking about climbing in general. Climbing has changed a lot of over the years. I don't think it's a bad thing, it's just different from what it used to be.

TacoDelRio wrote:It's just life, nothing to be taken seriously. If someone thinks you're old school or new school or this or that, doesn't change your life, don't even bother thinking about it. I'm not trying to sound like a dick, just my standpoint. It is what it is.

agreed... many people today crave for validation by others... be yourself, do what makes you happy... be nice to you and others while you go about it... people are different and do things differently.... everybody has the same right to do what they want to do and and how they want to do it... only if you are yourself will others eventually see you for what you truely are

sorry, just feel a little existential this morning

McCannster wrote:Interesting topic indeed. I guess I'm lumped into the "new generation" of climbers who put bumper stickers on their cars, wear climbing clothes, and talk about climbing to non-climbing people. I do it because I'm really psyched on climbing. It comprises a huge chunk of my life. So, in order to talk to people who I am going to be getting to know, it's kind of hard not to bring up climbing. I also just love talking about climbing in general. Climbing has changed a lot of over the years. I don't think it's a bad thing, it's just different from what it used to be.

If you changed the climbing bumper sticker, climbing talk, and climbing clothes to "Jesus fish" and "Jesus loves you" bumper stickers, and "WWJD?" T-shirts, most people would find you really, really irritating or just plain stupid.

Let's experiment:

Interesting topic indeed. I guess I'm lumped into the "new generation" of Christians/Jesus Freaks who put bumper stickers on their cars, wear Jesus approved clothes, and talk about Jesus to non-Christians. I do it because I'm really psyched on Jesus. He comprises a huge chunk of my life. So, in order to talk to people who I am going to be getting to know, it's kind of hard not to bring up Jesus. I also just love talking about Jesus in general. Jesus (loving) has changed a lot of over the years. I don't think it's a bad thing, it's just different from what it used to be.

Sheds new light on the idea of a convert, no matter what they convert to.