From the gym to the crag: The revenge of the gumby

[whoneedsfeet]

Great reads Mike. Again thanks for all you and your crew do for us.

[Mark W]

I agree completely with all the posts in this thread and don't really have anything to add, but I am a bit surprised that no one mentioned the importance of becoming informed about the land where you are climbing.

This is important both for safety reasons (being able to clearly communicate to emergency personnel where you are located in case of an accident, knowing the quickest way out of the woods if the situation is not severe enough to warrant contacting emergency services, etc.) and to know who to donate to and/or contact about volunteer stewardship opportunities.

If you can afford a gym membership and the gas to drive to the Red River Gorge, you can certainly afford to donate to Friends of Muir Valley and the Red River Gorge Climber's Coalition.

[DriskellHR]

I agree completely with all the posts in this thread and don't really have anything to add, but I am a bit surprised that no one mentioned the importance of becoming informed about the land where you are climbing.

This is important both for safety reasons (being able to clearly communicate to emergency personnel where you are located in case of an accident, knowing the quickest way out of the woods if the situation is not severe enough to warrant contacting emergency services, etc.) and to know who to donate to and/or contact about volunteer stewardship opportunities.

If you can afford a gym membership and the gas to drive to the Red River Gorge, you can certainly afford to donate to Friends of Muir Valley and the Red River Gorge Climber's Coalition.

+1

excellent point. Its a problem we actually deal with on a regular basis. thanks for point that out.

[Jeff]

And the fact that forest service land is neither Muir or PMRP/MFRP and has it's own unique "rules".

[ynp1]

1. Drinking helps you climb better.
2. Bring a drill and if you don't like how a route is bolted add more. SAFETY FIRST.

2a. Truthfully though... Teach them how to use a stick clip. Many routes in the red are bolted with a high first bolt, so it SHOULD be stick clipped. Not a fan of that, but it is what it is.

3. Have fun!

[kidandrew]

Thanks all for the input. The inclusion of understanding whose land you're on as well as the importance of donations were not on my initial brainstorm list.

I was also pleased with the minimal (but still essential) amount of trolling.

Cheers!

[quicksilver]

Having been down the path you are on it is great to see you wanting to help new folks get off on the right foot. I have always been amazed how so many climbers know very little about ensuring their own safety or those they climb with. I use to say that some folks have a broken danger thermometer and when most people would get an inner message they are in a dangerous situation others seem unaware. I always advise new comers to read as much as possible about climbing and do as much practice in safe situations to learn the basics. Reading books about climbing like Freedom Of The Hills, John Longs Technical books and his adventure stories as well as John Muirs writings will give them how to info and a feel for the ethics of climbing. Also Arno Ilgner's stuff is great as well as Eric Horst's training guides. Entering into climbing and rappeling lightly is a risky thing. When I had Hoosier Heights I felt we really don't teach someone to climb, rather we should teach someone how not to get hurt. After that I always told them the most important decision they will make is who they choose to climb with. Keep up the good work.

[krampus]

I was also pleased with the minimal (but still essential) amount of trolling.

Cheers!

It a same that we couldn't do better. The old trolls have left and the only one who picked up the torch is Rotarypwr345704, unfortunately he can't be entertaining all the time