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galt
Dec 21, 2006, 5:49 PM
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I went to school in Florida and yea, we are all of the above. How many people do you know can climb at Horsepens for a week, drive 9 hours, sleep 4, then go surfing the next day? True, we were limited to gym climbing, but we made do with what we had and enjoyed every second of it. Of my friends who climbed in Florida one was a semi-pro Kite Surfer and two of em' were avid surfers and all of us took trips (as often as possible) to get to real rock.
I started climbing to enjoy the outdoors and, last time I checked, surfing, kite surfing, hang glider, competition kite flyer (?)... all took place outside. The venue is different, the end is the exact same.
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dbrayack
Dec 21, 2006, 5:51 PM
Post #27 of 47
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galt wrote: I went to school in Florida and yea, we are all of the above. How many people do you know can climb at Horsepens for a week, drive 9 hours, sleep 4, then go surfing the next day? True, we were limited to gym climbing, but we made do with what we had and enjoyed every second of it. Of my friends who climbed in Florida one was a semi-pro Kite Surfer and two of em' were avid surfers and all of us took trips (as often as possible) to get to real rock. I started climbing to enjoy the outdoors and, last time I checked, surfing, kite surfing, hang glider, competition kite flyer (?)... all took place outside. The venue is different, the end is the exact same.
As per the last paragraph, thats my point, why drive so far to climb when you can do all of the mentioned above, I'm sure they're just as fullfilling as climbing?
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ebonezercabbage
Dec 21, 2006, 6:04 PM
Post #28 of 47
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I live at sea level.....but i drive 10-15 hours to get into the high mountains. I've tried all sorts of other hobbies...they fall short. Im not a big believer in fate, but id say, once you do it and fall in love, you can't go back. I climbed once, i was a climber forever. I will climb until my knees waste away and my fingers fall off....even then i'd give it a go with my teeth.
plus then i could get a cool nickname: STUBBY
(This post was edited by ebonezercabbage on Dec 21, 2006, 6:05 PM)
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the_alpine
Dec 21, 2006, 6:18 PM
Post #29 of 47
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Florida = pimpin' basecamp!
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galt
Dec 21, 2006, 6:44 PM
Post #31 of 47
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Dbrayack, totally depends on the person. I lived in Germany and Washington before moving to Florida. My skiing/climbing obviously went on hold and I took up other outdoor activities while in school, but I never got into surfing or kite boarding like I did my other pursuits. It was in my blood & it didn't go anywhere.
It did, however, provide me with activities to enjoy with friends in the outdoors.
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oldsalt
Dec 21, 2006, 7:02 PM
Post #32 of 47
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dbrayack wrote: ... thats my point, why drive so far to climb when you can do all of the mentioned above, I'm sure they're just as fullfilling as climbing?
I grew up in Indialantic (in Central Florida), two blocks from the ocean. Naturally, I surfed every day with any waves, year around. I went to the University of Hawaii and attended a few classes when not at Ala Moana, Pupukea, Chun's Reef, Makaha, or Sandy Beach.
Now, at age 57, I live closer to the rock gym than I do to the beach. I can't get up on a board due to arthritis in my right hip. The waves in Jacksonville suck!
All that said, I have driven to a crag in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, or North Carolina 38 times in the past 37 months. I know when I get there that the rock will be running 85 to 600 feet and glassy.
I leave no trace, share belay stations well, and my partner and I don't mind the cost to do all of these things.
To answer the OP, "I am committed to my job and my community. The weather is fabulous outside of the truly rare hurricanes, and I must climb to live a complete life. It's the price I pay."
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rome2282
Dec 21, 2006, 10:52 PM
Post #33 of 47
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Registered: Jun 29, 2006
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I traveled from Michigan to Kentucky to go caving because we have no (real) cave systems here. While down there, I was introduced to climbing. Then realized we have nothing to climb here either, just gyms. Luckily, everyone carpools to the Red on the weekends. So to answer your questions, we got hooked and can’t give it up for the other things in life. 
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chazc
Dec 22, 2006, 2:19 AM
Post #34 of 47
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Ill tell you what sucks is living an hour from New River Gorge and then going to college in West Palm Beach, FL
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zeke_sf
Dec 22, 2006, 6:17 AM
Post #36 of 47
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yeah, let's give endurance its propers.
I want to be the local somewhere one of these days. as it is, I am surrounded by only adequate climbing until I drive a couple of hours.
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Ophelia25
May 9, 2007, 6:45 PM
Post #37 of 47
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Sometime people forget that where you live is not solely based on the activities that you participate in for recreation. If climbing is your living, then it would be pretty silly to live in FL. Some climbers are here because of work, some because of family, there are as many other reason to live here as there are climbers living here.
Most of my friends say the gym is for practice till they can get to a climb. The way I see it, having to travel just adds to the adventure. Yes it would be great if there were somewhere more than a 9 foot rock face by some isolated beach, but that should stop anyone from climbing or dissuade anyone from living in what is essentially a wonderful place.
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Tania
May 9, 2007, 9:42 PM
Post #38 of 47
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I must defend the Florida climbers because I am one myslef. (I might have actually met you in Kentucky)
I grew up in CA so I fell in love with mountains and outdoors there. Was a little disapointed with Florida, tried surfing and I SUCK. Not to say I am any good at climbing but I am definitly better than the first day I tried it! I drove to The Red last year, not only was it long but I had to miss a week of school. It was totally worth it. I am addicted to climbing. Cant wait to graduate next year So I can move and make it a full time habit  . Moving is definitly in my plans.
.........haha competitive kite flying? Heres another one I never understood: Bird watching
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dashclimber306
May 9, 2007, 9:44 PM
Post #39 of 47
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I got started climbing in a gym in FL before i moved to NC. Tons of people climb indoors now, its like a different sport. I know some people climbing way hard who live <1hr from rock but climb indoors a lot more. Personally I dont get it but whatever, keeps crags less crowded.
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Tania
May 9, 2007, 10:03 PM
Post #40 of 47
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chazc wrote: Ill tell you what sucks is living an hour from New River Gorge and then going to college in West Palm Beach, FL
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endercore
May 9, 2007, 10:07 PM
Post #41 of 47
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Registered: Apr 28, 2006
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who even builds a gym less than an hour from rock?
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richardvg03
May 10, 2007, 1:01 AM
Post #43 of 47
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Registered: Apr 13, 2007
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ebonezercabbage wrote: I will climb until my knees waste away and my fingers fall off....even then i'd give it a go with my teeth.
I have a torn acl and mcl and I still climb HAHAHA
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stymingersfink
May 10, 2007, 1:31 AM
Post #45 of 47
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the_alpine wrote: You assume that climbers you meet from FL aren't any of these? I personally love wakeboarding, skating, surfing, biking, and fuckin hot chicks in bikinis. Oh ya, then there's climbing. Maybe I'll take it serious one day and move to a more climber friendly location instead of constantly traveling... or maybe not.
I mean, what's a little traveling? I'm 14 hrs from The Valley if I drive 
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nodecaf
May 10, 2007, 1:37 AM
Post #46 of 47
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Registered: Jul 12, 2005
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dbrayack wrote: Why not be a surfer, or a hang glider, a cyclist....I mean really.
Bike riding in FL ain't all that great either -- other than the fact it's warm in winter. Too hot to ride in the summer and --oh yeah-- probably the highest rate of bike/car crashes in the US.
I was down there for a race a few years ago and on a training ride I got whacked by a big ass pickup with NRA stickers all over the back. 12 years of riding in NY and no close calls; three days in FL and I got zapped. Go figure.
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superbum
May 10, 2007, 2:54 AM
Post #47 of 47
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Registered: Sep 19, 2002
Posts: 822
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Whatare ya talking about? I was just at Disneyworld and I got to climb Mt. Everest! All I had to pay was admission and wait about 30 min!
Florida SUCKS.
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