R-E-S-P-E-C-T To the ones who deserve it!

[SikMonkey]

Aaron summed it up better than I could:

i believe he meant without actually climbing their climb or contribution, he had no basis on which to give them respect

.

Mj

[andy_lemon]

You boulder don't you...? Did you have to do a John Gill problem before you started bouldering? Don't you respect John Gill?

I would think everyone gives a little respect to guys such as John Long, Mark Twight, Jeff Lowe, et al. How many routes of theirs have you done?

You don't actually have to physically meet, climb with, or repeat one of these guy's routes to respect them for their contributions.

Chuck Pratt 4 Lyf beotch...

[MiaRock]

some people choose not to educate themselves on the history of their sport...personally i find the history of climbing just as interesting as climbing itself, it gives you a perspective on the pioneers and makes you realize that doing a well traveled 5.12 in sticky rubber really doesn't garner as much respect as someone who got an FA in yosemite wearing boots...

[aaron]

you also have a degree in history don't you? that would make it more interesting to you than to others.

[MiaRock]

true i do enjoy history...and understand that others don't, but before one starts making statments about how/why his respect needs to be earned, maybe he should learn how the sport has evolved into the one he enjoys today...and then tell us who deserves his respect.

[ynot]

Read John Long's, Hang Dogs,Wall Rats and Rock Jocks. It puts it all in perspective.Perfectly.

[SikMonkey]

Yes, I do know who John Long is, and he IS one of the ones who has pushed the limits and set standards of the sport so I DO have some basis for giving the man his due respect. Still don't know who Chuck Pratt is though nor have I climbed any of those other guys' lines. I have heard of John Long and read some of his stuff though. Definitely entertaining.

Mia sweetie, you are right. I educate myself on the sport enough so that I may perform at the highest level achievable by me, not so I can answer a bunch of questions on a history test.

Ynot, I will definitely try to check that book out. JL's stuff is usually pretty good reading.

Mj

[andy_lemon]

There's a mid-term coming up, you sure you don't want to study?

[Eagleman]

If you want to study rock climbing, you should get that big fat mountaineeering book...its got everything in it. Tells you how to tie tons of knots and everything else that pertains to rock climbing(even though the title is mountaineering)

[andy_lemon]

"The Freedom of the Hills".