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jumpingrock
Sep 13, 2005, 8:48 PM
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Arjun, honestly. You live in Toronto. You want to know how many world class single pitch overhanging 10/11's there are within a 10 hour drive of you? Go to Lion's Head, steep over hanging limestone. Nimbus is a 10a probably one of the best in Southern Ontario.
You want to get out but don't have the money eh? Well hmmm... try car pooling. There are plenty of climbers in Toronto who would be more than willing to split the cost of driving. Try camping. Lions Head camping is from $10 a night. How much do you pay for your year pass?
However, at the end of the day you climb at a half decent gym. It is a fun gym. But most of your arguments are weak. Try growing a pair and getting outside. And the Milton area doesn't really count. (Though there is a 15' Roof crack at Nemo. I think it goes at 11c. Looks pretty sweet)
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snodawg
Sep 13, 2005, 9:24 PM
Post #77 of 89
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Outdoor climbing is great. I climb at smith rock and other places but I do love my winters in the gym. I like the people, the attitude, and the workout. I can work harder and faster in the gym. The gym is coming in second though. My own personal climbing wall will be done in my vaulted living room very soon.
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leezerdgirl
Sep 14, 2005, 2:05 AM
Post #78 of 89
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I love my gym. I love climbing outside. I'd feel the loss painfully if I couldn't have either one.
Re: whether real climbers climb at the gym...I've seen Tommy Caldwell and Beth Rodden several times at my gym. They didn't seem to be sneering. They were just climbing, just like me. Okay, about ten to twelve grades harder, but otherwise just like me. :D
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climbgod
Sep 19, 2005, 2:18 AM
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climbing outside is definately a huge part of the whole experience and i definately prefer it but i still love climbing in the gym if i have to. climbing is climbing and its always fun no matter where.
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misanthropic_nihilist
Sep 19, 2005, 3:39 AM
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I've grown to love climbing in the gym, mainly for two reasons:
There isn't any great outdoor climbing near me.
I have no friends to climb with outside.
...I'm mostly a bouldering wall rat. Although I've been thinking of getting into free soloing. That way I'll get outside and won't have to worry about making friends.
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kricir
Oct 24, 2005, 5:04 AM
Post #81 of 89
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I Think that it is important to distinguish between gym “climbing” and actual climbing. This thread is the same as if a runner asked, do you like to actually go running, or run on a treadmill? You may be able to “train” in a gym physically, but none of the mental aspects/challenges of climbing exist in a gym. And even then, how much training can really be done on a 30 ft “route”? I think gym climbing is a poor distorted imitation of the sport I love, I climb to gain perspective on the world and this life, to explore reality and expand my character. Gyms have opened the door for every day mediocre people to pretend they are doing something different or extreme, and climbing has suffered because of it. To all of you gym rats out there, please do us all a favor and stop thinking of yourself as “climbers”.
But after all that, I’d say yea, gym climbing can be fun.
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arjunrattan
Oct 24, 2005, 8:12 PM
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In reply to: I Think that it is important to distinguish between gym “climbing” and actual climbing. This thread is the same as if a runner asked, do you like to actually go running, or run on a treadmill? You may be able to “train” in a gym physically, but none of the mental aspects/challenges of climbing exist in a gym. And even then, how much training can really be done on a 30 ft “route”? I think gym climbing is a poor distorted imitation of the sport I love, I climb to gain perspective on the world and this life, to explore reality and expand my character. Gyms have opened the door for every day mediocre people to pretend they are doing something different or extreme, and climbing has suffered because of it. To all of you gym rats out there, please do us all a favor and stop thinking of yourself as “climbers”. But after all that, I’d say yea, gym climbing can be fun.
You know what, your right! Thats exactly what I'm asking...Its like asking the runner...does he enjoy the very motion of running...if he answers yes..then sure hed enjoi the treadmill as well...
I'm not saying indoor climbing is better or worse than outside...I'm simply asking whether you enjoi it not... Like ENJOY it..not just do it for training to get bettter or something...
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realdeal39
Oct 24, 2005, 9:26 PM
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I love gym climbing. I really love it when there is a group of little kids watching me and I jump on a 5.12+ and their eyes just light up in amazement because they think I'm a bad a--. Then some 7 year old will jump on a 5.13 and show me up and I'll come crashing back to the harsh reality that I'm only a 5.11 climber. But for those few moments, I feel like a god.
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deltav
Oct 24, 2005, 10:36 PM
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For those of us who work 9-5 and are at least 1.5hrs away from a crag, gyms are a great thing...for TRAINING. I love going to the gym after work or grad classes. Much better than the type that involves putting 200lbs of iron over my head again and again. But you will never catch me at the gym on a bright and sunny Sat. If you do, take that big #5BD and clock me upside the head. :o
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pianomahnn
Oct 25, 2005, 5:15 AM
Post #85 of 89
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Registered: Feb 17, 2001
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I'm a born and raised Chicago gym rat.
I stand proud behind why I climb. The friends, exercise, and it makes me look HOT for all the BEETCHES.
Thats right. Watch me pull down on your v12 slopey plastic nonsense. CAMPUS DYNO GASTON SLABDYNO4LYFE!!
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musicman1586
Oct 26, 2005, 5:46 AM
Post #86 of 89
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I've been climbing for somewhere around 2 months now, thus meaning that I'm quite qualified to be labeled the most extreme beginner around. I have to say that I do enjoy indoor climbing and not just for training purposes for several reasons, although don't get me wrong I wish to partake in more outdoor ventures as they continue to come. My first reasoning is that if it wasn't for the gym, I never would have gotten into rock climbing. My university has a nice, brand new, rock gym and while visiting the recreation center I decided to check it out. Thus I owe it to a gym that I even got started on my new addiction. Second I think plastic is more beginner friendly. Those that may have started on rock may disagree, but the gym allowed me to slowly build up the muscle (in particular finger) strength, starting off on those huge easy-to-grab hand holds then slowly moving to working the tiny crimps, odd-shaped holds, and natural cracks and features. For me, when I finally got outside, I had a more enjoyable experience because my body was better prepared, so I could better focus on "proper outdoor technique" such as how to hold a hand jam tighter, rather then having to focus on both the hand jam AND how to keep my foot smeared against the wall. A third reason for why I like indoor climbing is the people. I meet a lot of climbers who have plenty of useful information to pass on, and it's because of a gym that I've met people that I'm able to do outside climbing with as I don't have the gear (yet) needed to do so, or the experience needed to set up equipment that sort of deal. Granted I could just go bouldering, but with the experience I have I think a partner is undeniably a good idea. My final reason for why I enjoy indoor climbing refers more so to bouldering, but really climbing in general. I think it's helped with mental training as well, because knowing that there's a thick pad underneath me has allowed me make myself go for those awkward, unorthodox, or just plain "hard" moves where my body and mind are just yelling "this is too weird, you don't have the strength for that, etc. etc." In other words, the safety factor has helped me get control of what real potential I have as a climber each day. Well this was quite a long-winded response, I've never been one for short words, but I hope some people find it interesting enough.
PS. I am not saying that climbing indoor is better then outdoor or vice versa, just stating the opinion of an eager newbie.
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dilly
Oct 26, 2005, 6:38 AM
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Registered: May 20, 2004
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I've developed a love for gym climbing because of women in lulu lemon pants.
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singin_rocker
Oct 26, 2005, 7:49 AM
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Registered: Feb 12, 2005
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Gym climbing has it's appealing dynamic that it's become obvious to me, won't appeal to everyone.
The gym I go to is gruelling practice. It's mostly ceiling. Real endurance training, but not much of the head game involved. It's like: Me - "falling...". Belayer - "whatever.".
Outdoors is great. A lot of it can seem not very challenging at first (talking about sport routes that are neither straight vertical or ceilings), but it all depends on what you climb. The variety is endless.
I love meeting local climbers at the gym. This is such a small country that when you climb outdoors, there's no telling where people will be from. You meet people at the gym who climb at your level, maybe future climbing partners and you can hang out with 'em at the pub later to talk about .... well, I don't know. What do climbers talk about? :)
Waylan
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litleclimberchick
Oct 27, 2005, 7:34 PM
Post #89 of 89
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Registered: Apr 13, 2003
Posts: 1254
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oh god, not this thread again...
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
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