Former Climbers

Post by **SCIN** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:08 pm

I don't talk to anyone who isn't a climber.

Post by **charlie** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:24 pm

I had too many friends, so I quit climbing.

They still call me.

Post by **Brentucky** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:36 pm

i have zero friends, but climbers put up with me, and at the very least in my miserable life i know that so long as i am climbing i can wave and say hi to SCIN and expect a reply. that is my only true life pursuit. thank you SCIN for your acknowledgement.

Post by **pigsteak** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:49 pm

I am glad people have singular focus... heart surgeons, classic pianists, artists, sports heroes, cancer researchers, etc...."well rounded" for most people is code for sucking and fear of failure...but not to derail..

I was just curious what relationships lasted when people's priorities changed. I have my work life, home life, and climbing life. Time doing anything else feels like a waste to me, so I prefer to focus on what brings my life joy. That'd be climbing.

And rhunt, the "I got old" excuse went out with the 80's. Just gotta readjust your expectations for climbing in light of extra pounds, and more injuries.

Post by **michaelarmand** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:08 am

pkananen wrote:
michaelarmand wrote:
whatahutch wrote: Your life is truly sad if all you have is one pursuit. You are probably always out of balance.
Yes, but in the specific context of leisure time climbing is my prime pursuit. Between work, family, etc...not much time to pursue other things. So I think it is reasonable that friendships with climbing partners wanes if you stop climbing....
yeah, except your wife said that the only friends you have are your climbing whores/friends

Just be proud to know you squeeked into my top 5 belay whore list

Post by **the lurkist** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:08 am

Crank is a genius.

Post by **the lurkist** » Tue May 05, 2009 1:12 am

We still climb a bit. All of our friends who are climbers we still enjoy seeing, usually at the cliff.
And we never talk about climbing. Climbing has become an excuse to see our friends- just a nice pleasent day at a pretty spot spending time with folks.
As for myself- I am a lifer. I try to strike a balance with other life things, but I mostly like to live vicariously through young guys and girls who have sold their souls and are chasing the dream and pushing the limits.

Post by **pigsteak** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:45 pm

lurk, do you ever visit with these climber friends outside of the Red? ie..without climbing, those friends disappear?

I find that friends that were built on a commonality cease to be friends when that commonality ends. whether it is mtn biking, poker night, pick up bball, climbing, love of food, pot, strip clubs...etc....there is no rule that friends are "lifers".

enjoy them for that season they are in your life, and move on.

Post by **krampus** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:53 pm

Agreed piggy, how many life long friends do you need? Wherever you are at, the people around you can make or break the day, so your interest change, you drift apart, doesn't mean you weren't really friends, it just means you have both moved on. You will never loose those days where those people you don't see anymore made them spectacular. Life changes, your focus will drift, it doesn't mean I don't really like these people, it just means that we are passing through each others lives giving and receiving what we can.

Post by **bcombs** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:59 pm

Man, I need a hug.