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well, it is properly amazing activity. endless creativity in movements and situation (unless you only go to gym which would be a shame, but even that is great t

well, it is properly amazing activity. endless creativity in movements and situation (unless you only go to gym which would be a shame, but even that is great thing to do), you work out yourself to decent fitness at least, and usually in beautiful mountainous/natural environments. and let's not forget constant need to overcome one's fear of dying/getting injured, which a pretty strong reflex - this builds good overall character over time. add to it very friendly community, possibility to focus on anything from 2m boulder problem to few thousand metres of altitude difference alpinism depending on your current wishes, and I am not surprised. there are tons of great sports out there, tried many (but far from all!) but this one just works for me personally best (+ ski touring in winter).

tunap 10y ago
"add to it very friendly community" Mmmm, my experience was quite different. I found it very click-ish and there was never a shortage of people saying "you're doing it wrong" based entirely on an incomplete observation from an obstructed vantage, technical differences of opinion or merely vanilla brow-beaters. If lots of testosterone(not exclusively) and competition is what you're after, then my point doesn't apply to you. This does not imply all climbers, but enough times I opted to avoid established routes and crowds. To each their own. Been exploring remote canyons & game trails solo for 25 years, I find the experience of discovery on 3s and 4s more satisfying than conquering 5+s for the nth time. edit; addwd an "If"
- saiya-jin 10y ago
  Hmm, then our experience is quite different. Are you in US? my experience is solely in Europe, Switzerland and France to be more precise. Nevertheless those explorative scramble/easy climbs are indeed very nice experiences, but it depends. Matterhorn hornli route has only 4c french grade as at crux, but doing it with massive exposure, cold, in alpine boots/crampons and gloves makes it damn stressful and hard for us weekend warriors for example.
  - tunap 10y ago
    Yes, the south-west US exclusively. I never achieved "big wall" climber status. I have much respect for those who achieve such heights, while not necessarily caring for the attitude/mindset/personality required to reach such lofty goals.

tunap 10y ago

"add to it very friendly community" Mmmm, my experience was quite different. I found it very click-ish and there was never a shortage of people saying "you're doing it wrong" based entirely on an incomplete observation from an obstructed vantage, technical differences of opinion or merely vanilla brow-beaters. If lots of testosterone(not exclusively) and competition is what you're after, then my point doesn't apply to you. This does not imply all climbers, but enough times I opted to avoid established routes and crowds. To each their own. Been exploring remote canyons & game trails solo for 25 years, I find the experience of discovery on 3s and 4s more satisfying than conquering 5+s for the nth time. edit; addwd an "If"

saiya-jin 10y ago
Hmm, then our experience is quite different. Are you in US? my experience is solely in Europe, Switzerland and France to be more precise. Nevertheless those explorative scramble/easy climbs are indeed very nice experiences, but it depends. Matterhorn hornli route has only 4c french grade as at crux, but doing it with massive exposure, cold, in alpine boots/crampons and gloves makes it damn stressful and hard for us weekend warriors for example.
- tunap 10y ago
  Yes, the south-west US exclusively. I never achieved "big wall" climber status. I have much respect for those who achieve such heights, while not necessarily caring for the attitude/mindset/personality required to reach such lofty goals.