Why do you climb walls?

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martygarrison

Trad climber

atlanta

Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 17, 2008 - 03:38pm PT

This thread could stir things up. I recently read the TR on the winter Zodiac. The description of getting dumped on by the falls, the freezing night out. There were similar descriptions on the Trip TR. In the early to mid seventies I did the obligatory El Cap walls however frankly always hated them. I remember on NA wall just being scared to death while standing on pins, and then if I wasn't leading, jugging just seemed like hard work. My partner and I had a conversation somewhere high up at the end of the day as to why we do these things. Mind you I was young and he was trying to make a worldwide name for himself (Denz). We came up with ego, nothing more or less. I read these trip reports of folks who are on their 20th El Cap route and know it has to be something else. For me I always was so charged up about a long free climb, grade V free, or frankly just cragging at the cookie or arch rock or wherever. I love the movement. The aid climbing always seemed just like work. So, explain to me, a guy who hates standing on a pin that might pop at any moment.....What drives you big wall folks to keep coming back?

Lambone

Ice climber

Ashland, Or

Mar 17, 2008 - 04:09pm PT

Something about the fact that the pin might pop at any moment exites and intrigues me. It is engaing.

Other then that I really like the atmosphere and exposure up there. I'm content to sit on my ledge or belay seat just staring into the void for hours.

Something about the hard work it takes to achieve the summit and make it back to the car intact is great. The suffering makes me feel alive.

Also the connection you make with your partner/s after achieving a bigwall goal is unmatched by any other experience.

I also like to rally fast and light free climbs too...just a different mindset.

aaronj

Big Wall climber

injured reserve

Mar 17, 2008 - 04:42pm PT

i like big rocks

bringmedeath

climber

la la land

Mar 17, 2008 - 05:25pm PT

because the talking tree told me to.

atchafalaya

climber

Babylon

Mar 17, 2008 - 05:31pm PT

Because there are spaces of time in between the wall routes I have done where I forget about the suffering, the BS, the complete boredom involved, and the fact that others are running around on beaches drinking cocktails. Its takes being back up on another wall to remember those details.

bringmedeath

climber

la la land

Mar 17, 2008 - 05:39pm PT

The pin will probably not pop if u are standing on it already... that is why i test to death and climb slower than a sloth smokin the crystal.

Anastasia

climber

Not here

Mar 17, 2008 - 05:47pm PT

To be in a place where nothing else matter but now. It makes me aware of how my life is not an abstract concept. Instead I am highly aware of how my life is the blood pumping inside of me, beating wild, connected, dependent, and a part of every move I make.

Euroford

Trad climber

chicago

Mar 17, 2008 - 05:49pm PT

because its the best way to pack the most climbing into your vacation time.

tomtom

Social climber

Seattle, Wa

Mar 17, 2008 - 06:09pm PT

Vertical backpacking is much more entertaining than horizontal backpacking.

k-man

Gym climber

SCruz

Mar 17, 2008 - 06:09pm PT

I hate wall climbing.

I can't wait to get back up there...

I always likened aid climbing to an exercise in fear. In lesser part, it's a test of your ability to engineer your way up the stone.

spyork

Social climber

A prison of my own creation

Mar 17, 2008 - 06:13pm PT

becuz I'm crazy.

Wait, that doesn't differentiate very well here.

The views are incredible. You get to savor the views when wall climbing. Free climbing something big you must rush to get done.

I like sleeping on a wall far above the maddening crowd. It is more peaceful for me than a 5 star hotel. Not that I can afford a 5 star hotel.

Would I solo a wall? maybe, but I dont like climbing everything 2 or 3 times, takes alot longer.

Brutus of Wyde

climber

Old Climbers' Home, Oakland CA

Mar 17, 2008 - 07:10pm PT

I am enchanted with the improbable.

Brutus

Wade Icey

Trad climber

www.alohashirtrescue.com

Mar 17, 2008 - 07:12pm PT

talking tree, also.

kev

climber

Mar 17, 2008 - 07:18pm PT

The talking tree told me that I would like to hammer heads. Well the tree was right!

climber

The Eye of the Snail

Mar 17, 2008 - 07:29pm PT

Haven't heard from the tree. Did a wall with a sloth on crystal, though, and he yapped the whole damn time.

Fletcher

Trad climber

Varied locales along the time and space continuum

Mar 17, 2008 - 07:31pm PT

So that explains the tree that's talking to me right now! Now I know what to do.

Fletch

WBraun

climber

Mar 17, 2008 - 07:39pm PT

I used to love doing walls with pins, it was a great art stacking and nesting them. The sweet "ping" of a bomber pin rang through the air.

Now!

The world is taken over by the "Serria club climbers" and all their fuked up rules.

Blah .....