Climbing Courtesy 2

Post by **Artsay** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:00 pm

On Saturday, a girl I hardly knew asked me, "Can I use your rope?" and pointed to my rope stacked in it's rope bag at her feet.
I stammered my words for a minute with "uhhh"s and such and she said, "You can say no.". So I said, "Well, it's a new rope so I guess I'd rather you not".

The girl next to me, whom I think was friends with her (or she was definitely just more friendly than me), said she had one she could use. I felt stingy for saying no but the rope is new and Ray or I may have wanted to use it before she was done. She was a super nice girl but I just feel like it's one thing to ask to use my draws but to use my rope just seems like something only someone who knows me really well would ask to use.

Do these things happen to you all too? What would you have done?

Post by **Wes** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:04 pm

You were right, she was rude. People that show up at a crag without a rope and/or draws are dumb. I mean, WTF? Are they just expecting that someone will have a rope they can use? Selfishness and self centeredness for sure.

Post by **diggum** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:13 pm

When I just started I didn't have the gear. Was it rude of me to go out w/out such things? I always make a point of telling my partner if I don't have my gear...like if I have to carry my daughter in her backpack. But I also don't expect to use other people's stuff...I would be ok not climbing.

I dunno...I would let them use my stuff but I'm still a noob. Maybe after I've had to replace 10 ropes I'll feel differently.

Post by **Artsay** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:14 pm

Actually, her boyfriend was on their rope and I just think she didn't want to wait.

Another thing I thought was funny was while I was climbing Chainsaw I heard another girl say, "I think I'm just going to toprope Chainsaw instead". Then when I got down to the ground she asked if she could toprope Chainsaw on my rope.

Maybe I'm just the screwed up one.

Post by **longlegsrule** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:16 pm

I may be a tag along and TR everything that other people put up...but I have my own rope...and bc I'm a tag along my friends know they can put my rope up on anything...

in short...she should have her own rope...you were NOT rude

Post by **Wes** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:17 pm

It is one thing to be new or go out with other people that have gear. Another to just expect some random person at the crag to have gear you can use.

I am with Michelle here - if you are at the point of leading, then you need your own rope. I like climbing with the team - everyone brings a rope and draws. We may end up not using every rope at the same time, but the option is there at least.

Post by **squeezindlemmon** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:19 pm

Artsay, you just look too nice and friendly and approachable!

Post by **John E** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:19 pm

I've never had a stranger ask to use any of my gear - rope, draws, or trad gear. Maybe I don't look as friendly as you do.

Post by **Power2U** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:28 pm

Artsay, you are totally in the right. Don't sweat it! You really shouldn't let a stranger use your rope as they might fall all over it and accelerate the wear on it. I've seen that happen. Same goes for TR'ing on someone elses rope. I guess you can ask but you shouldn't be offended in any way if you are refused use of the rope. I've actually been in situations where someone was using my partners rope and after they took 3 whips in the same spot on his rope he said, "Can you come down now and quit hammering my cord?" To ask to use someone's rope and then do that to it is just bad taste!

By the way good job on Chainsaw!

Post by **diggum** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:28 pm

I was in no way saying you were wrong Artsay. I totally agree with you.

I was just wondering when it is crossing the line to rude. I always pack my own rope & draws and if I want to TR something (which is highly likely) by all means...pull my rope through. As a noob, I guess maybe I didn't realize the rope thing was a big deal until recently.