RRC Archives

So, other than placing cams, there is no difference between trad and sport?

That's like comparing softball to baseball and calling it the same sport.

No, I said in my earlier post the difference also lies in how you grab the hold. There are differences between slabs and steep pinchy routes also. Should people who climb slabs be placed into different categories than people who climb steep routes? How about the HUGE difference between chimneys and tips cracks? There's more of a difference there than between a tips crack and a crimpy route. Hell, ever done a thin crack? Half the time you're crimping the sides of the crack.

....

(humbly bowing)

Yes, I have met brian, and he is not edgotistical. He is incredibly strong. Also a damn nice guy.

I don't think what I said is a slam on sport climbing.

Its kind of strange because I'm not surrounded by climbers anymore, and most of the climbing I do doesn't have much meaning in numbers (hard toproping and headpointing).
So, to me, and I would gather, to anybody, that its important to use the 'I'm a 5.x climber' so that you keep youself safe.
Not as a slam, but simply a fact- you can push harder, with safty on a clip up (or any safe climb). and, in any dangerous climb, you need to be confident that you will not fall. Thats all.

I thought that our side thread was off topic, therefore, if you want to continure, PM's might be more appropriate. Thats all.

Well, the common thread that holds the slab climber, pinchy route climber, crimp climber, etc. together is the protection used. So while you could separate them into those sub-categories they would still all fall under the Sport Climbing category. What about the ever dreaded/loathed "bolted crack" climb? Where does that fit into the grand scheme of things?

Mj

scin does pro matter at all? it sounds like all you are concerned with is a persons physical ability to go up the rock. so if i could toprope 5.12 on cracks, slabs and faces but didn't lead ever would you call me a 5.12 climber?

Yes, pro does matter. But if you read my previous post you'll see that I say "After a while though placing a cam becomes just as easy as clipping a bolt so I just don't see the reasoning"

Very true SCIN. It was mostly for showing the multi-disciplines of sports. To excel at all facets you have to dedicate equal time. since most people don't, they are more apt to rate each one differently. Kudos to all those that do excel in all disciplines.

another question, even though I do climb sport, I only climb it to improve my trad skills. I'm proud of the fact that I'm a traddie, just as bberlier should be proud of the fact he is a sport climber.
When I mention to people that I'm a climber, I don't just call myself a climber, I call my self a trad climber...and I call myself a 5.x TRAD climber. That is what I am and I'm not going to let anyone belittile me or my climbing by telling me I'm not that because I have chosen not to lead sport climbing.
While excelling in all areas of climbing might be good for some people, it simply isn't for others.

But, if your gonna go out there and call yourself a 5.x CLIMBER then you should be climbing at that level in all areas, including Aide and Ice climbing.

Thats cool Pete. Of course not all sport routes are exactly safe.

and offwidth