Former Climbers

[Brentucky]

wait, i forgot, facebook friends are all that matter

[ahab]

(listed in alphabetical order so as not to offend my friend)

ouch dude. ouch.

better watch it, one of these rainy, seeping, humid, dripping shite days you'll want to get out anyways and where ya gonna be then, huh? up swift camp creek without a belayer, that's where.

[Yasmeen]

So if we say it is all about the people, and not the spray or climbing, do any of you know people who seemed to really be into climbing, and then quit?

If so, do you still hang out with them on the same regular basis, but then find out you don't have anything to talk about? Seems to me, it was about the climbing after all....

Or are you willing to admit you are one of those "former climbers", and your climbing buds seem to be waaaay fixated on wasting their lves at the crag, and you are happy to be liberated?

Some of the friends I've grown closest to because of climbing were never regular climbing partners, so I'd say I *see* them about the same number of times per year as I did when they were climbing regularly. I talk to them on the phone and email with them just as much as when they were climbing regularly, and there's never been a shortage of things to talk about, climbing and non-climbing. We met because of climbing, but we became friends because we were there for each other through tough times and enjoyed laughing together through easy ones.

But, to answer your original question with an example that actually applies to it: The past few months, when Paul wasn't climbing as much as he had been the previous years, I saw him less. I think the reasons would pretty much apply to most people whose regular climbing partners quit climbing:

1) We live in different cities/states. This makes it pretty tough to hang out during the week.
2) I was still climbing just as much as I used to on the weekends. When you can't hang out during the week, weekends are all you have. If you're climbing on the weekends and your friends are not, you won't see them as much as when they were climbing on the weekends.

Sorry, Piggie, but your question basically comes down to "are you capable of being in two places at once?"

[pigsteak]

excellent yasmeen....which goes to part two of my query. if they were real friends , wouldn't we skip a few weekends of climbing to hang out with them in a non climbing venue? my guess is we are so singularly focused on our "need" to climb on weekends, that friends are disposable if there plans don't mesh with ours.

I know there are family gatherings that I don't look forward to because they fall on climbing weekends...and I think I should be ashamed for putting climbing (or concerts, or dope, or mtn biking, or vacation days, etc) ahead of that event. but as a calloused old fart, i usually put ole number one first.

[dipsi]

excellent yasmeen....which goes to part two of my query. if they were real friends , wouldn't we skip a few weekends of climbing to hang out with them in a non climbing venue?

Since she's probably too altruistic to tell you this, I will answer your query. Yasi and I email and talk on the phone on a regular basis. She has been to my home a few times on weekends, not always involving climbing. We've had some fun times in Lexington just hanging out. We've shared sorrows and joys alike, and helped one another through some difficult times and choices. Heck, I gave her her fist knitting lesson! Am I spraying? You bet I am! I'm 61, she's 25. She's a bad arse climber chicka, and I'm, well, you know....not a real climber. I haven't been able to climb much for over two years due to illness and family obligations, but she's still been my friend. I doubt seriously I am the only one.

I think I still have many friends in the climbing community even though I haven't really been climbing lately. I know for sure that I still consider them my friends and wouldn't hesitate to call on them or answer a call if needed. I'm coming back, but doubt I have too many years left.

I hope my friends will still be there when I just that "crazy old lady running around the Gorge." Love ya, Piggie!

[ynot]

good work, Partmer!!!

[whatahutch]

I would like to apologize to everyone that I offended. I did come off a bit assish. I have no problem with following one pursuit in life. I just meant to say that to branch out everyonce in a while is probably healthy. I would say fighters are very egotistical.
I don't hang out with many of my egotistical fighter friends I used to train with, except one. He is now one of my climbing partners. We always talk about how we are the real badasses at the crag too. Sure, someone might have just sent a .13 and be walking around like the cock of the crag, but I know how to rip your arm out of socket and you will never send anything harder than me ever again.

BTW I don't have muscles to flex.




BTW I love getting everyone worked up on here. I am just joking above too, well except for the apology. And the fact that I have a big ego.

[Brentucky]

pigsteak, you have quite the same quandary as I. yes, we have to skip climbing sometimes, but only for weddings and such. although i damn near fully agree with the ayn rand type thinking that you should really never do anything for anyone unless you yourself get something out of it, and you should expect nothing less from those around you, sometimes i just don't know. lemme know if ya figure it out!

[krampus]

I would like to apologize to everyone.....

hold on now hutch, let get something straight;
The first rule of redriverclimbing is... you do not appologize on redriverclimbing
the second rule of redriverclimbing is... you do NOT apologize on redriverclimbing
If you really feel bad about what you are about to submit, just put a smiley at the end of it or any other emoticon really cus they just lighten the mood, just ask brentucky what his toes taste like and he probably couldn't tell you cus he uses smileys all the time.

[512OW]

I don't feel I need to "hang out" with the people who are my real "friends". Like Charlie said, we can not see each other for ages, but when we do, there is no animosity, and the friendship seems like we just hung out yesterday.

So, Piggie, whatever midlife crisis it is you've been going through, just shut up and bolt more routes.