Personally, I do not like the idea of climbing even 'seeming' mainstream, because a fact of the matter is.. it is NOT!

Last I checked, climbing the concession stand isn't illegal

Personally, I do not like the idea of climbing even 'seeming' mainstream, because a fact of the matter is.. it is NOT!

Yah, getting little kiddies interested generates more money for the industry, but it also abuses popular crags and makes access issues much more apparent. I witness crowds of kids who claim to be a v-hard climber, but have never climbed on real rock.

Places like the Happy/Sad boulders are overrun with kids pretending they can send v-whatever because they read it in a mag.

I can usually sit back and stomach all the criticism- and to an extent I still can. Of course, Urban Climber is not for everyone, nor was it intended to be. For those who consider what I'm trying to do with UC as Propaganda or prefer to think that bouldering is not rock climbing, then this magazine was never meant for you- because you just don't, and probably never will, understand it. And I can appreciate your conclusions as well. We're all entitled to our opinions.

I'm not actually writing to address that matter anyway- this is more personal. It's when people say "I don't want to see rockclimbing (in whatever form that may be) go mainstream" that hurts. What is mainstream? And is the ability for an athlete or an industry pro to make a living too much for you to handle? I personally want to see these athletes be able to sustain the quality of life they deserve doing what they love, and train so hard to do. Every other credible sport in the world can offer that- why can't climbing? Maybe it'd be nice for kids who find climbing at a very early age to have aspirations. What about the creative community within our sport? Do you know how costly and time consuming it is to make a video? I can safely, and very confidently, say that nobody within our sport has prospered from their efforts yet...and there are some amazingly talented individuals out there right now. But, the moonshine conspiracy and the element boys have their 16 mm features in every surf and skate shop and every best buy on every corner of every town---they're doing alright. why can't these guys? Goes the same for being a climbing photographer or journalist --- I think there are people who desparately want to make a simple living combining their passions and talents. And they are entitled to that. If you never tried to chase that dream- then you might not understand.

So mainstream, to me, does not include a clusterf**k of inexperienced people running to our areas and ruining our time outside. That will NEVER happen. Mainstream IS creating a POSITIVE identity, some credibility and an ounce of public interest for a sport/lifestyle that's been like a savior to me time and time again...


Joe

If you read the article they are using the comparison between way skate boarders transitioned from only being in skate parks to seeing the whole city as a place to skate. They used that situation to say how climbing should not be just regulated to climbing gyms, that you can bolt routes and problems on overpasses and other structures.

I can usually sit back and stomach all the criticism- and to an extent I still can. Of course, Urban Climber is not for everyone, nor was it intended to be. For those who consider what I'm trying to do with UC as Propaganda or prefer to think that bouldering is not rock climbing, then this magazine was never meant for you- because you just don't, and probably never will, understand it. And I can appreciate your conclusions as well. We're all entitled to our opinions.

I'm not actually writing to address that matter anyway- this is more personal. It's when people say "I don't want to see rockclimbing (in whatever form that may be) go mainstream" that hurts. What is mainstream? And is the ability for an athlete or an industry pro to make a living too much for you to handle? I personally want to see these athletes be able to sustain the quality of life they deserve doing what they love, and train so hard to do. Every other credible sport in the world can offer that- why can't climbing? Maybe it'd be nice for kids who find climbing at a very early age to have aspirations. What about the creative community within our sport? Do you know how costly and time consuming it is to make a video? I can safely, and very confidently, say that nobody within our sport has prospered from their efforts yet...and there are some amazingly talented individuals out there right now. But, the moonshine conspiracy and the element boys have their 16 mm features in every surf and skate shop and every best buy on every corner of every town---they're doing alright. why can't these guys? Goes the same for being a climbing photographer or journalist --- I think there are people who desparately want to make a simple living combining their passions and talents. And they are entitled to that. If you never tried to chase that dream- then you might not understand.

So mainstream, to me, does not include a clusterf**k of inexperienced people running to our areas and ruining our time outside. That will NEVER happen. Mainstream IS creating a POSITIVE identity, some credibility and an ounce of public interest for a sport/lifestyle that's been like a savior to me time and time again...

Joe

For those who consider what I'm trying to do with UC as Propaganda or prefer to think that bouldering is not rock climbing, then this magazine was never meant for you- because you just don't, and probably never will, understand it.

I find it funny that you're crying "sellout" and your username is from a company that sponsers hot chicks that don't even climb hard.

is the ability for an athlete or an industry pro to make a living too much for you to handle? I personally want to see these athletes be able to sustain the quality of life they deserve doing what they love, and train so hard to do.

Joe

Recognized for above and beyond contributions of staff time, resources and financial support of the Access Fund’s advocacy work.

Urban Climber Magazine has taken a lead role in delivering the boulderProject message of minimum impact climbing and importance of understanding how climbers, the environment, and access are all connected to the new generation of climbers. By contributing significant time and financial resources to provide a platform for the Access Fund’s message and interweaving that message throughout all aspects of their publication, they deliver the Access Fund mission to an audience that would otherwise be difficult for the Access Fund to affect.

Of their many contributions from ideas, support, and directly affecting Access Fund financial resources necessary to further the mission, the following stand out: Integration of the Access Fund message throughout every single issue of the magazine from in-kind advertising, Access Fund controlled editorial content, to Urban Climber Magazine editorial content that directly underscores the mission of the Access Fund and responsible climbing. Further and significantly, Urban Climber Magazine underwrote the development of the boulderProject website at a crucial time in the expansion of the program. Without this support, the message of the boulderProject would not be reaching its audience.