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numbnut
Sep 24, 2004, 5:04 PM
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What's the general consensus on the attitudes of climbers from Boulder out there? I've recently moved to Boulder and get a funky competetive vibe from many. It just seems to me that where I was living before, in Bishop, there were just as many hard climbers but they were cooler. Also it's real cliquey here, reminds me of high school.Anybody had a similar experience?
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killclimbz
Sep 24, 2004, 5:09 PM
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In reply to: What's the general consensus on the attitudes of climbers from Boulder out there? I've recently moved to Boulder and get a funky competetive vibe from many. It just seems to me that where I was living before, in Bishop, there were just as many hard climbers but they were cooler. Also it's real cliquey here, reminds me of high school.Anybody had a similar experience?
Welcome to Boulder...
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crimpmaster
Sep 24, 2004, 5:17 PM
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i spent the summer out in boulder. Just about every climber that i ran into, from eldo to b. canyon to clear creek was way cool and helpful. the exception was a day i spent up at flagstaff, bouldering, but that was prolly an exception.
perhaps the difference in opinion is due to the fact that i am from the east. I need to get back out west.
Be cool to people and they will be cool back, thats my experience
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thewiz
Sep 24, 2004, 5:20 PM
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Yes Boulder the total elitist community. Everyone is to cool in Boulder.
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nthusiastj
Sep 24, 2004, 5:29 PM
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I noticed a little bit of the same vibe when I got out here. I have since come to the conclusion that there are just so many transient people coming through here that the locals don't really open up much. There are just SOOO many climbers here, that its not as much of a tight knit group like other places. And I wouldn't call it competative. People are just serious about climbing here.
After being here for a few months things change for sure. People are nicer and I run into friends everywhere I climb. The more people I chat with and get to know, the more climbing partners I have, the harder it is not to "ditch" someone to climb with another person.
Stick around awhile, things change.
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mbg
Sep 24, 2004, 5:38 PM
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In reply to: Everyone is to cool in Boulder.
Yeah, there are some real pricks in Boulder but show me one town where every single person is friendly. It's too bad some people have had bad experiences here, you must have just run into the wrong people. Look me up next time you're here and we'll climb.
Sweeping generalizations are ugly. :?
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jsj42
Sep 24, 2004, 5:42 PM
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In reply to: I've recently moved to Boulder... in Bishop, there were just as many hard climbers but they were cooler.
Actually, we're cooler.
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petro
Sep 24, 2004, 5:44 PM
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There are cool people in Boulder, but yeah... I moved here from Logan, UT, and the vibe was much cooler out there.
I don't know why people seem so... Whatever, PM me, and I can introduce you to my little circle of climbers. We try to keep it real.
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bauerbrian
Sep 24, 2004, 5:55 PM
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In Boulder everyone does something and their all good at it! No excuse not to be nice. I'm sure things will improve for you.
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boadman
Sep 24, 2004, 6:10 PM
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Boulder is the only place in the world that I've had threesomes at a crag refuse to trade belays with me (by myself). I've climbed all over too. I think it's because of the incredible numbers of climbers here, there's just bound to be some wankers.
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jaybee
Sep 24, 2004, 6:39 PM
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i'm sure their are some really nice people in boulder. good luck finding them.
i think it's something along the lines of this.
in many areas, you have some climbers who are snobbish.
in boulder, you have snobbish people who are climbers.
it's too bad really... but if i could afford to live in boulder, i'd likely be a prick too.
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i_climb
Sep 24, 2004, 6:54 PM
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In reply to: Boulder is the only place in the world that I've had threesomes at a crag
Taken a little bit out of context, but this might be incentive for some people to move to Boulder - if you're into that kind of thing.
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timstich
Sep 24, 2004, 7:07 PM
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I climbed with this guy Jeremy who lives in Boulder. He's the biggest pig around the ladies. This girl Holly, who lives there, says so. And Jeremy will climb with anyone, too. Belay slut.
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timstich
Sep 24, 2004, 7:08 PM
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In reply to: Boulder is the only place in the world that I've had threesomes at a crag refuse to trade belays with me (by myself). I've climbed all over too. I think it's because of the incredible numbers of climbers here, there's just bound to be some wankers.
Not tryin' to butt into your threesome ya'll, but climbin' works better in pairs- jest like screwin'.
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rockprodigy
Sep 24, 2004, 7:16 PM
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That's the Coloraditude...dude.
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overit
Sep 25, 2004, 1:39 AM
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Hi Numbnut-100% Boulderite here 8^)
I am not trying to bag on you, I am just defending my turf here. Boadman, I too, have climbed all over and I chose to live in Boulder because it IS one of the best CITIES to live in if you are a climber/outdoor enthusiast.
I have lived and climbed in Boulder for years and still don't know half the climbers here. To stereotype people on the small sample you have encountered-well that speaks for itself. :)
People live in Boulder so they can go to school or work and climb too. People live in Bishop to climb. Bishop is a lot more laid back than a large metropolitan area like Boulder. More people always = more idiots.
Generally, Boulderites are more pressed for time which may be why Boadman doesn't get invited to tag along. Also, I am a very friendly and social climber BUT, I rarely let anyone I don't know belay me no matter how hard they climb. There is enough risks in climbing itself.
You can go to the gym to meet people but that's the "cliquiest" place in town. There are a ton of front-rangers on this sight who are always looking for partners or having get-togethers. I don't get a "competitive vibe" from any of them.
Isn't bobd from Boulder? He's always looking for a belay slave!!! :wink: :wink:
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dpurf
Sep 25, 2004, 2:12 AM
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Colorado native here that lives in the clickest (is that even a word) place on earth, southern California. Try to find a partner here. If you are not a super model, if you don’t ware Prana, if you don’t climb at the right gym or at the gym at all you are screwed. When I lived there and every time I go home (Colorado), I have never had a problem finding someone to climb with. Maybe you should try a little harder in your search.
Good luck.
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timstich
Sep 25, 2004, 2:53 AM
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In reply to: Colorado native here that lives in the clickest (is that even a word) place on earth, southern California. Try to find a partner here.
Aye. Dave told me some real horror stories. And that climber guy who only likes to climb with women for some reason? We've all met that guy. He really gets around.
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camhead
Sep 25, 2004, 3:03 AM
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I think that the reason that Boulderites are such pricks is because they are mad that they have to drive so far to get to Indian Creek.
I sure as hell would be mad if I lived near Eldo.
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on_sight_man
Sep 25, 2004, 3:11 AM
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In reply to: I think that the reason that Boulderites are such pricks is because they are mad that they have to drive so far to get to Indian Creek.
OK, AMEN to that.
In reply to: I sure as hell would be mad if I lived near Eldo.
There's just a lot of people here that climb. So when you don't like someone, you aren't FORCED to deal with them because your choices are limited...
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timstich
Sep 25, 2004, 3:19 AM
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In reply to: I don't get a "competitive vibe" from any of them.
Oh, I met one once. It was hilarious watching him beat himself up for not getting up a route. Even whined about it for hours afterwards. Ha ha ha!
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couchwarrior
Sep 25, 2004, 3:21 AM
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After 7 years in and around Boulder, I would say that some of the population is in need of a sense of humor transfusion. And I like seeing "Celebrate Diversity" bumperstickers in a town populated mostly by affluent white PhDs.
Having said that, the climate is perfect, rock is everywhere, it's still easy to shoplift at Neptune, and it beats the hell out of Omaha or Cleveland.
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timstich
Sep 25, 2004, 3:49 AM
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The only thing annoying about Boulder to me is all of the people gunning for banning humans from the wilderness. They have some real nuts on those commissions who think nature is some sort of static and unchanging museum.
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pushsendnorcal
Sep 25, 2004, 3:50 AM
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Things you should know about climbers from boulder
They come from a special country called 'the peoples republic of boulder'
You ain't shit if you don't onsight 13.A or V8
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timstich
Sep 25, 2004, 4:39 AM
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In reply to: You ain't s--- if you don't onsight 13.A or V8
If you are a dude, that is. Ha ha ha! But seriously, what did Groucho Marks say about the club that would have him as a member?
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timstich
Sep 25, 2004, 5:36 AM
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Well here's what Boulder's most Loveable Curmudgeon Climber has to say about you, rc.com:
"That first year of climbing leaves a very powerful formative impression.
Why not spare us all, and mostly your friend, yet another wank 'n spray
addition to the rockclimbing.com genre?"
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lokiraven
Sep 25, 2004, 1:29 PM
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I have also had some pretty bad encounters climbing at Eldo, but it seems like this is only a weekend climbing problem. During the weekdays I have had nothing but good experiences. Seems like people get a little irritated by coming to one of the coolest places around, and then standing in a crowd.
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wanderinfree
Sep 28, 2004, 3:49 AM
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In reply to: I climbed with this guy Jeremy who lives in Boulder. He's the biggest pig around the ladies. This girl Holly, who lives there, says so. And Jeremy will climb with anyone, too. Belay slut.
Nicely stated, Tim. Though I wouldn't say that Jeremy is so much a belay slut as a climbing whore. Hey....wait a minute. I'm one of those "anyone's" that Jer climbs with. ugh. The humanity.
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hstewart
Sep 28, 2004, 4:32 AM
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In reply to: timstich wrote: I climbed with this guy Jeremy who lives in Boulder. He's the biggest pig around the ladies. This girl Holly, who lives there, says so. And Jeremy will climb with anyone, too. Belay slut. Nicely stated, Tim. Though I wouldn't say that Jeremy is so much a belay slut as a climbing whore. Hey....wait a minute. I'm one of those "anyone's" that Jer climbs with. ugh. The humanity.
:lol:
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wanderinfree
Sep 29, 2004, 3:00 AM
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In reply to: In reply to: timstich wrote: I climbed with this guy Jeremy who lives in Boulder. He's the biggest pig around the ladies. This girl Holly, who lives there, says so. And Jeremy will climb with anyone, too. Belay slut. Nicely stated, Tim. Though I wouldn't say that Jeremy is so much a belay slut as a climbing whore. Hey....wait a minute. I'm one of those "anyone's" that Jer climbs with. ugh. The humanity. :lol:
Keep laughing, Holly. You were part of the threesome at the gym tonight. :wink:
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nthusiastj
Sep 29, 2004, 3:20 AM
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I'm a dirty, dirty boy!
Hmm, a 3-some? Are we still talking about climbing?
Uh, Oink!
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wanderinfree
Sep 29, 2004, 4:01 AM
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In reply to: I'm a dirty, dirty boy! Hmm, a 3-some? Are we still talking about climbing? Uh, Oink!
One really has to wonder.... How DO you get all the girls to climb with? :?
--kim
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calamity_chk
Sep 29, 2004, 4:24 AM
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a) i've sensed the vibe as well and probably wont hang around boulder for long as a result
b) camhead RULES. he's right about the drive to IC.
c) i'm also new to town, far from competitive/elitist, no where near cool, am looking for partners, and am shallow enough to bribe people to climb with me. beer usually seems to work, but i'm open to suggestion - name your price.
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kcrag
Oct 11, 2004, 5:54 AM
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here's the deal (in my opinion)...
i once read in a national magazine (climbing, r&i, or outdoor... i don't exactly remember), that boulder county hosts the greatest number of rock climbers per capita in the world (which i do believe after living here for only 2 years). that being said, of course there will be 'elitist' groups.
think about it... what's so appealing to tourists about small towns? a sense of community? the idea that everyone knows each other, and we perceive that they all look out for each other? you walk into a local bar and everyone knows your name? ...but you walk into a BIG town, and perhaps you feel a little lost? you feel like an outsider? as an outsider, maybe it's a little more uncomfortable to go to a popular bar in houston, alone, and meet someone to talk to, as opposed to austin, nevada (population 300 +/-), where you may very well walk in and someone immediately buys you a beer and challenges you to a game of pool (my own experiences... thank you very much.). the whole idea, in my opinion, carries over to any type of larger community, climbing included. in a larger community, making friends (or climbing partners) isn't easy. you have to put yourself out there and make an effort to find what your looking for. weed thru the b.s., perhaps. think about it!
boulder does have it's elite climbers, as well as elite athletes in every field. and it's expensive to live here, too. why wouldn't it be? it's a desirable place to live. so are many other places in the world that are aesthetically pleasing. plus, as a climber in boulder county, you are surrounded by year round world class climbing. period. and, on top of it, you have to deal with the cliques, because that's what you have to deal with (sociologically) with large groups of people.
my experience with boulder county climbers has only been positive. i chalk that up to my age, experience, personality and maturity level. i seek out quality climbing partners and friends, and so far, that's what i've found.
perhaps my post isn't making sense to you, but i do know that if you seek what you're looking for, you'll find it (no matter what anyone else says). it's called the 'power of intention'. if you don't know what i'm talking about then do a google search (you just might learn something that moves you forward).
climb on, and enjoy!
-kelly.
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timstich
Oct 11, 2004, 3:05 PM
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In Boulder, or any large climbing community, I think it's perceived as less risky to burn any bridges because there are so many other potential climbing partners out there. But in a small community like Austin, you would be very careful not to do that. Not many places to climb and you will definitely see each other. And hey, if you live in Odessa, I'll bet you'll do anything to keep that one partner who will drive with you to the Wichitas. Heh.
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flamer
Oct 11, 2004, 8:58 PM
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I was going to say something...but then Kcrag said her piece, and ...well that's about right.
Only thing that really sucks about colorado is there's no ocean....
josh
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calamity_chk
Oct 11, 2004, 9:44 PM
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kelly - interesting logic. personally, i'm a big believer in a collective consciousness, which i personally see as the driving force behind 'power of intention' - however, i also think its possible for others' negative energy to weigh someone down. that is, negative energy can be caused by your own negative attitude OR it can be caused by lots of other people wishing/intending (whatever) upon you. (a more pragmatic example of option b would be manipulative people who set you up and/or stab you in the back or constantly talk smack.)
i've found that, with enough perserverance, i can overcome most struggles. (you saw what it took for me to leave texas. you've also belayed my broken-footed self up a few routes - those things werent easy, but i refused to backdown).
on the other hand, i've also learned that some struggles simply arent worth my time. for example, maybe you happen into a bar in houston and make friends with the wrong people - or (potentially worse), inadvertently step on the toes of the 'wrong' people (usually influential people or key political power players).
at what point do you just find another bar instead of trying to sort out who you pissed off, what you said/did to them, and how you can turn it into a more positive experience? while turning said negative energy into a positive experience can be quite the learning experince, there's also certainly a balance that exists (imo), and sometimes it just makes more sense to cut your losses and find another playground - but maybe i'm just being naive/immature.
how does this fit in with the boulder attitude? i think some people's personalities are more conducive to dealing with political bs than others'.
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holmeslovesguinness
Oct 11, 2004, 10:44 PM
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In reply to: Only thing that really sucks about colorado is there's no ocean.... josh
True that. Then again if we had ocean front property this would be California I guess...
I've met some really nice folks around the Boulder area, and aside from one or two minor incidents have never really had any friction with any other climbers. I suppose if you are good enough to be rubbing elbows with the 'elite' it might be a different scene, but as a weekend warrior type I find that most of the climbers I meet are pretty cool folks.
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hollyg
Jun 27, 2005, 6:19 PM
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i spent almost 8 years in boulder and there are alot of selfish people there. alot of transients, trying to find themselves. as the saying goes ...boulder really is 10 square miles surrounded by reality. it's the land of the fit and the beautiful and the people tend to put their sport before friendships. and trying to date those climber guys...what a nightmare! and i'm not the holly that timstich spoke of. with all of that said, i still miss it like crazy. i think chief niwot's curse is real because everyone i know who used to live there thinks about it all the time...
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cdb1386
Jun 27, 2005, 6:47 PM
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anybody wanna climb tomorrow after work in the Boulder area?
boulder, sport, trad, whatever
cooperbest@hotmail.com
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