Since I built and use to own a gym I can't help but responding to this post. Nine years ago when I started in the gym business I would constantly find posts on the net about how climbing gyms are somehow responsible for all the gumbies and any bad habits any climber may have. Here's the deal - gyms teach climbers to climb in a gym enviroment and how to do things in a resonably safe manner - a few of these people go on to climb outside and many do not. All of them get their ethics from other sources such as their parents etc. In over 15 years of climbing at many different areas and hundreds of trips to the RRG I have never witnessed any TERRIBLE behavior from the climbers I personally know and I know quite a few. As a point of pride - the numerous climbers that Josh and I have trained at our gym have gone on to be very good climbers, knowledgeable climbers and enviromentally aware climbers.
Everyone wants to find a secret answer to various problems in the climbing community - whenever you have large numbers of people taking part in any activity there are some eggheads - no ones fault - it is just the way it is. Most of the trash you see in thge RRG comes from campers not climbers. Most climbers are great people - just because somebody threatens to close their property is no reason to assume otherwise. The Gorge is very crowded and some problems come with the territory.
Climbers' Code of Ethics
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quicksilver
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2003 3:58 am
Well said. However, I must take exception with the statement about trash. Quicksilver, you said that most of the trash in the RRG comes from campers not climbers. You statement is probably true as it pertains to trash in the RRG. However, I am in the RRG a lot and I rarely see campers or for that matter day hikers at the crags. The vast majority of trash at the crags is climber trash. Unless of course I am wrong.
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing-- Zep
For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing-- Zep
Everyday after climbing I look around the cliff to pick up trash. I'm never disappointed. There are always empty water bottles, cigarette butts, paper from bars, etc. Some of it gets blown all over the place. It's not just unsightly but it can be dangerous to animals and harmful to plantlife. I agree with Sunshine, it's not just campers. But ah well.
Jesus only knows that she tries too hard. She's only trying to keep the sky from falling.
-Everlast
-Everlast
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Cliff Heindel
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:57 pm
Quicksilver-I don't know if your just bored at work or clarifying misconceptions. If it is the latter, then I missed the point, especially if
you were addressing my pevious post.
My essential point was that individuals introduced to climbing through
experienced friends are one thing; and those that begin climbing in gyms,
likely not under the influence of veteran climbers, another. And, whether gym bred climber's venture out to climb or not, the gym was their gateway and our first missed chance to infiltrate and control their mindless activity.
you were addressing my pevious post.
quicksilver wrote: Here's the deal - gyms teach climbers to climb in a gym enviroment and how to do things
[...in a gym...?]
in a resonably safe manner - a few of these people go on to climb outside and many do not.
All of them get their ethics from other sources such as their parents etc.
'other sources' implying gyms would be redundant or preempted or out of place?
In over 15 years of climbing at many different areas and hundreds of trips to the RRG I have never witnessed any TERRIBLE
....that's a substantial qualifier....
behavior from the climbers I personally know and I know quite a few. As a point of pride - the numerous climbers that Josh and I have trained at our gym have gone on to be very good climbers, knowledgeable climbers and enviromentally aware climbers.
because you shared thoughts on ethical standards or ..?
Everyone wants to find a secret answer to various problems in the climbing community - whenever you have large numbers of people taking part in any activity there are some eggheads - no ones fault - it is just the way it is. Most of the trash you see in thge RRG comes from campers not climbers. Most climbers are great people - just because somebody threatens to close their property is no reason to assume otherwise. The Gorge is very crowded and some problems come with the territory.
My essential point was that individuals introduced to climbing through
experienced friends are one thing; and those that begin climbing in gyms,
likely not under the influence of veteran climbers, another. And, whether gym bred climber's venture out to climb or not, the gym was their gateway and our first missed chance to infiltrate and control their mindless activity.
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Cliff Heindel
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:57 pm