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Similar to the "climbing=white person's sport" thread, I have noticed that almost all of the climbers I encounter are middle-class. There are exceptions, as I have climbed with some more wealthy people and I have a friend I climb with who is fairly poor, but for the most part, climbers seem to be middle-class.

It seems this has fluctuated throughout time. When mountaineering became popular in the mid-1800's, it was all for very wealthy people. In the 1950's, many of the pioneering climbers seemed to be very poor. Now, it seems I hardly see anyone who isn't right in the middle class.

Any ideas?

-Mark

I see all levels, at least for the peak-bagging, mainly-scrambling, low-5th crowd. I've got outdoor friends living in subsidized housing, off meager social security checks. For them, gas money is the biggest limit. If they start doing harder stuff, the gear costs skyrocket.

I think it's worth making the distinction between the class in which they grew up and the class in which they currently reside by choice. I have friends of all economic levels who climb, but some choose to live a more frugal lifestyle to focus on climbing.

One of the things I like about climbing is that it is one of the few sports that seems to break down social barriers. I frequently see people with low incomes and people with high incomes talking comfortably around a camp fire, or even sharing a tent at high altitude together. The shared passion for climbing cuts through all the crap that would normally segregate people of different income levels. You don't see that much in other sports.

It's too bad we can't do the same with politics, which mostly seems to divide people here on SP.

Alpinist wrote:One of the things I like about climbing is that it is one of the few sports that seems to break down social barriers. I frequently see people with low incomes and people with high incomes talking comfortably around a camp fire, or even sharing a tent at high altitude together. The shared passion for climbing cuts through all the crap that would normally segregate people of different income levels. You don't see that much in other sports.

It's too bad we can't do the same with politics, which mostly seems to divide people here on SP.

I agree with you, and I like the diversity around a campfire (sadly though as noted on the other thread it's very rare to run across a black climber).

A couple of my regular climbing partners are staunch republicans. I totally don't get it. If I think about it much I'll rip my hair out. I suppose they feel the same. We dip into the topic now and then but mostly we are too busy climbing to end up brawling

Some of the best climbers are the ones living off a shoe string, they have more time to climb because they work seasonal or part time.

At the very upper echelon it's expensive due to things like travel, unless you're a guide or on a car camping road trip.

In general you might say it's a middle class endeavor as compared to something like polo or motor racing.

Alpinist wrote:One of the things I like about climbing is that it is one of the few sports that seems to break down social barriers. I frequently see people with low incomes and people with high incomes talking comfortably around a camp fire, or even sharing a tent at high altitude together. The shared passion for climbing cuts through all the crap that would normally segregate people of different income levels. You don't see that much in other sports.

It's too bad we can't do the same with politics, which mostly seems to divide people here on SP.

Good point dude. I really think it's an internet thing. Many people who'd be too polite to act like total assholes about politics in person have no problem doing it online, because this is (relatively) anonymous. One of my regular climbing partners is a pretty hardcore right winger who always carries a piece when we're hiking and we get along great - we just don't talk politics, which leaves more than enough other stuff to jam about.

I make a comfortable amount of money but am poor because all the money goes straight into gear and trips!

kheegster wrote:I make a comfortable amount of money but am poor because all the money goes straight into gear and trips!

Let's not paint with a "broad brush" by over-analyzing and trying to put people into a specific group.

What we do with our money is our own business, isn't it ???

Except for that SC-MLC group, who apparently drive fancy cars and eat gourmet pizza, for
cryin' out loud ...

Mark Straub wrote:Now, it seems I hardly see anyone who isn't right in the middle class.

Or, "now, it seems I hardly see anyone who isn't LEFT in the middle class!"

Politically speaking, of course.

By "right" I didn't mean "right-wing" (oops!)

Must be specific to the area. Where I live, anyway (Washington), it is very rare I climb/meet someone climbing who I would consider "rich" or "poor".

-Mark

That's because <b>those</b> people are either:

(1) playing golf

OR

(2) picking up golf balls

Hey, golf is a dangerous sport.

OUCH! And I thought I had lost an arm and a leg at the gas station!

I wonder why the dudes at the golf course were "unavailable" to comment?

I think it depends. Some people start out middle class... and then they become climbers and drop a socio-economic rung or two.

I'm poor and live in the mid-west, FML!