Does Anyone Else Here Think Free Climbing is Stupid?

[GER308]

First off- Free climbing is not ropeless - free climbing is using gear and ropes for protection only and not advancment. Free climbing may be defined as "Sport" Or "Trad" depending on style. Climbers like to argue about style.

Free solo climbing - climbing unprotected
There have been very few free solo deaths, though a few notable ones. Most of those who do solo have the skills.

Then there is aid climbing, rope soloing, bouldering, top roping.....

I don`t climb so often anymore though as the weather gets better I think I will try to get out a bit and do some easy stuff.

I have done a fair bit of climbing, never really at a very high level. Trad lead my best was 5.10a and sport mid 5.10 to maybe 11a when at my very best. I never liked taking falls so I could never be much of a sport climber. I prefer cruising longer mellower routes.

I have done a few easy free solo's but only ever soloed near my limit once. It is quite heady and I can understand why people do it, never felt so alive.


Personally I think those who downhill mountain bike are nuts - Looking over at my coworker and his cast ;-)
I think team ball sports are stupid- but that's just me.

[zugor]

I just watched a very good documentary about the history of climbing in Yosemite for the past 50 years. It's called Valley Uprising and I saw it via Netflix streaming. I think it must be an incredible feeling to be high up on the rock face but I've always been much too much of a klutz to ever even consider it. In the mid 70's I did enjoy going to Yosemite with my older brother when he went climbing but it wasn't free climbing at all. I stayed on terra ferma and watched.

[elliedeee]

I think it's the whole adrenaline rush they get from accomplishing their climb. It's got to be an incredible feeling to make it up the side of a mountain.

I don't think it's stupid but i wouldn't do it with ropes or without. I'm not that adventurous..

[jamies]

I lived several summers in Yosemite as a kid. My mom was an administrator for the Curry Co that ran all the concessions. I was never much of a technical climber. The ladder up the back of half dome was scary enough for me. I did do the face of Clouds Rest with my dad. But mostly we just hiked and mountaineered in the back country.

That movie brought back memories. I was there in '68(?) during the "riot." It was rangers over reacting. I was about 14. We were mainly riding the busses around the park getting high and drinking beer. Camp four was just as shown in the movie. I knew who Harding and Royal Robbins were but they were about twice my age.

I think there's a lot of restrictions now, mainly due to dummies getting in trouble needing rescue. And it's all about money. Last time I was there was about 12 years ago. We stealth camped in my various secret spots without trouble (since it's impossible to get reservations).

Now that I'm old, my idea of camping is a motor home with satilite, and if you want to reach the top of a mountain - that's what helicopters are for.

[Coolhand68]

It is no dumber than a lot of risky hobbies, past times and sports where one mistake can cost you your life. Skydiving, NASCAR, climbing Everest, walking tightrope from extreme heights, training or working with dangerous wildlife (tigers, sharks, bears), and so on. Each person has to measure the risk versus reward and determine if it is worth it. I've done some risky things in my twenties that I wouldn't dare do today.