What makes you climb?

[Ingieuk]

As per title.

I'm not meaning purely rock climb, I mean hillwalking, night walking mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing etc...

Anything where you try to get to the top of something

I have friends who just don't understand why people do things like this, when I try to explain it to them I just get blank faces.

Thinking about it climbing mountians is a totally illogical thing to do, why put yourself through risk and endure things simply to get somewhere you can never prove you've been.

The only answer I can think of is that its fun, I enjoy doing it (and by rights I don't do it enough).

Just wondering what makes you guys get up and out there.

Rich

[MariaD]

It is possible to prove you've been somewhere - just carry a camera!

But yes, the only reason is that it's fun. What other reason do you need?

[Ingieuk]

Good point.

I don't need a reason, I just wanted to know what other people thought.

In which case, what is it that makes it fun?

[MariaD]

Fresh air; the pub afterwards; the views (not always applicable); the weather (not always applicable); the way your face feels weatherbeaten afterwards; being pleasantly knackered (as opposed to being unpleasantly knackered after a 12hr workday); stopping for jaffa cakes; being the only one on the hill; feeling like you've acheived something; the moment when you take your rucksack of at the end of the day; watching a novice's face fall when they realise that the hump they're aiming for is a false summit; realising that the hump ahead of you isn't a false summit; banter; going downhill; sitting comfortably at an amazing belay & bringing your partner up the last pitch of the route; dunking yourself under a freezing waterfall; realising you've accidentally soloed a big route becuase you were waiting until it got difficult before you got your ropes out (probably the nicest feeling ever); having the occasional Sir Robin-style "Run away!" moment when things get really serious (see Monty Python's Holy Grail); the wildlife...

Is that enough?

[Ingieuk]

Getting to the top of a climb you never thought you would
The "bleargh, we must be mad" as you climb into the steamed up car after a soaking walk.
The 'man my hands hurt' as you drive back from the climbing wall
Going with your mates; then the stories you talk about afterwards
Jelly Babies
Slapping the trig point when you get there (or stumbling around in the mist when you can't see it)
Hearing 'which way now?' and making the right decision
When a plan comes together
The start of a nightwalk, setting off into the night
Stars on a cloudless night when walking
Waking up with the side of your tent stuck to your face
Seeing people walking looking like they're going on a Himilayan expedition, when your strolling up Blencathra
I'll think of more...

watching a novice's face fall when they realise that the hump they're aiming for is a false summit

Thats a good one, cruel but good.

Is that enough?
I'm just trying to start a discussion

Rich

[MariaD]

I was just indicating that I can think of several more, but my fingers were getting sore from typing...

Got to disagree with you about 'waking up with your tent stuck to your face' - bleurgh! The Himalyan ramblers are always good for a laugh though.

Bizarrely, I always enjoy being patronised in gear shops when I go in in my work clothes (skirt, sparkly jewellery, high heels, posh handbag etc.) because it's so hilarious. I once got asked, "You know this isn't a shoelace, don't you?" when I tried to buy a sling. Serious wind-up potential! "So you mean to say these clippy things aren't for holding your lip balm?..."

[Ingieuk]

Sorry I've been cooped up inside for days revising for my final exams, so I'm a bit highly strung and took it the wrong way! :) :) Sorry

Yeah maybe it should go in a "What makes the outdoors less fun?" thread. Though it was a good thing as my tent had started to rip in the winds so the fact there was still a tent was comforting.

realising you've accidentally soloed a big route becuase you were waiting until it got difficult before you got your ropes out (probably the nicest feeling ever);
I like the sound of that! Where did you do that?


Thought of some more:

-When you see some people with GPS, T shirt and jeans (Stillettos optional for women...or men whatever) looking at you weird because you have a waterproof on as a big black raincloud gathers behind them...
-Watching someone put their foot into a peat bog that goes above their boots
-Getting home and looking at the photos...then losing the photos on your PC.....then months later finding them

[MariaD]

Another one:

- Legging it down a ski slope, still fully cramponed up, to get the last gondola down at the end of the day and making it by the skin of your teeth before collapsing into the gondola completely unable to breathe.

[MariaD]

I like the sound of that! Where did you do that?

On a few winter routes - around grade II/III.

On winter routes, usually my partner and I will get our harnesses on & get the rack/rope into a convenient place at the top of our rucksacks when things start to get steep (putting harnesses on after this point can be difficult!). We don't get the rope out & start using it until we feel we need to, and sometimes it just never happens.

Once I didn't even think the route had started (E Ridge, Carn Dearg Meadonach) when all of a sudden we were on the summit. It's a nice feeling, although not so nice when you realise you've carried so much weight for no reason! Better that than to need the rope & not have it though - route descriptions & grades are not always very reliable, especially in winter, and if conditions turn bad you might need the rope on pretty easy ground.

[Ingieuk]

Bizarrely, I always enjoy being patronised in gear shops when I go in in my work clothes (skirt, sparkly jewellery, high heels, posh handbag etc.) because it's so hilarious. I once got asked, "You know this isn't a shoelace, don't you?" when I tried to buy a sling. Serious wind-up potential! "So you mean to say these clippy things aren't for holding your lip balm?..."

Ha ha lol mint!

I always find it hard to judge how much of a climber people are when they come into work, I tend to keep an open mind and just ask 'Do you need any help?' it avoids any awkard conversations on my part!

Usually looking at what theyre wearing works as a hint, however Maria you must be the exception that proves the rule!

RAB gear+long hair=Probably (but not always) a climber
Nike Airs+turned up collar=Most likely not (but sometimes) a climber

Hence the need to keep an open mind!

[MariaD]

If it's the weekend (or, like today, a day off work) I'll be in a fleece, t-shirt & jeans with (usually) Salomon footwear, but on a weekday I look nothing like a climber. Same for my partner (although he doesn't have long hair!). Funnily enough, people don't take me seriously if I go to work in a belay jacket!

The nearest Ellis Brigham is between work & home, so it makes sense to stop off on the way back rather than going out of my way to travel to Castleford at the weekend.

I think just asking if people need help is the most sensible thing - if people want advice they'll ask. The worst is when (usually, but not exclusively male) gear shop staff waffle on at length attempting to impress customers with tales of 'hardcore' activities and their supposedly immense store of knowledge.

[clunk]

the things that would make me climb are ,, 1- an angry bear ,, 2- chased by a lion / tiger ,,, 3- chased by a rhino ,,:confused:.
on a seriouse note though , goredale scar is the only climbing iv'e ever done ( i know its kiddys stuff ) but it got me thinking , and i quite liked it,
as for the other stuff , i love bad weather on a day hike , face burning at the start , then feeling the glow of warmth as i get into my stride ,
watching my mates sprint off at the start of a walk , then two miles later watching them lag behind because they burned them selves out ( that does make me smile )

ps; the thing that realy gets my goat is being asked ,," can i help you sir " on entering every shop these days , my reply is a very stern " if i want help i will ask you " ( i used to just tell em to pi** off )

[Ingieuk]

Scarred fingernails, Checking the weather forecast every 5 minutes brfore blindly heading out whatever (as in what I'm doing tonight!)

the thing that realy gets my goat is being asked ,," can i help you sir " on entering every shop these days , my reply is a very stern " if i want help i will ask you " ( i used to just tell em to pi** off )

Were only doing our job :)

[clunk]

Were only doing our job :)

no offence mate , but if " only doing our job " means getting peoples backs up as soon as they enter the shop , then watching as they quickly leave because they have only come in to do a bit of browsing and may buy summat they like the look of , but they wont now because their agravated ,
when someone comes up to you and says those imortal words " CAN I HELP YOU SIR " it implies you have gone in the shop to specificaly buy some thing or other , sell sell sell in other words ,
and if its mid week and your the only person in the shop , why do the asistants form a que ( spaced at 2 min intervals ) to say " CAN I HELP YOU SIR " , then go and stand 15 ft away from you in a little gang and watch you like your a criminal just about to nick summat , just waiting for the next asistant to sneak up on your blind side to say " CAN I HELP YOU SIR " :mad: ,
yes it is one of my ( and many others ) pet hates , leave people alone , be available , but dont go shoving your self down peoples throats with " CAN I HELP YOU SIR " , if your bored , go and sit on the toilet with the paper or summat , dont go mithering the customers :)

[Marmot]

what makes me climb?
burning off the fustration of trying to do your job properly only to be harangued by people shopping who obviously have issues! :p

[clunk]

im'e just waiting for the other saying now , as youv'e been served at the counter and about to leave the shop ,,,,,, "HAVE A NICE DAY " :confused:,, that WILL be the cherry on the cake :D

[wandering_fox]

Fresh air
Wide open spaces
No people or deadlines or targets or limits other than my own
Adrenaline and endorphins
Feeling that I deserve the pint(s) steak and chips at the end of the day rather than merely wanting them.
Banter with friends
going up and around is easier than downclimbing!

Strangely a lot of these also apply to why I go caving.

[Ollie]

I guess 'wide open spaces' would be the exception to that? :p