exactly! its not even the point of watching the olimpics but what will happen over time. you would see a increase in people climbing then die down. then you would start to see better shoes, chalk, mats, etc.

exactly! its not even the point of watching the olimpics but what will happen over time. you would see a increase in people climbing then die down. then you would start to see better shoes, chalk, mats, etc.

Don't forget the mats... they use that in gymnastics too.

Almost all stuff we are using for climbing is the same since about 30 years!
Innovations are minor, and will stay minor, until we get stuff like carbon nanotubes. Most stuff that happens nowadays is cosmetics. And with chalk ... i am not going to explain again to some idiot what chalk actually is ... no improvement to be expected.

It all depends on your personal definition of what "innovation" and "revolutionary" technology is, but 90% of well-informed climbers would disagree with your statement that most innovation of the last 30 years is merely "cosmetic."

I'll let others tell you why, if you can't figure it out for yourself.

Who sits down to write on an internet forum to talk about rock climbing? Were you planning to come and talk about climbing all day and help other people who climb?
i really dont get this form.

I'm not saying you are wrong. I'm saying I don't want climbing in the Olympics. When you put up reasons why you think its a good idea and I offer reasons why I disagree with your reasons, that's called a discussion.

When I say 'STFU NOOB" that's putting my fingers in my ears. And saying I'm closed minded and don't want to listen puts you a step closer to that truth than me. I've never called you an idiot or closed minded. I've disagreed with your points- but then again, if you only wanted people who agreed you would've probably made a poll with only one answer choice, eh?

Of course there are d-bags anywhere. Sure I might be one of them. But the more people you pull into gyms because they saw people pulling plastic in the olympics, inside some gym far removed from the outside, thats going to up the chance they are a douche bag. This actually brings up one more reason why I like the winter olympics so much more than the summer- the winter olympics are primarily mountain sports. Sports that consist of people originially looking up the hill and saying "I want to play there".

The beginners who I typically get along with the most are mountain people, who play in and among the mountains. They've had to skirt or walk under enough cliffs to finally say, you know, it would be FUN to be up there.

The beginners who I typically don't get along with are the one's who's connection to the sport starts with seeing it as a gym thing, far removed from the beauty of exploration of wild and far flung places. This, to me, would include people who learn about climbing while watching the olympics and seeing somebody pull plastic in an arena.

And of course plastic carries over to climbing rock. That's why I go to a gym when I can and its not climbable outside. But the thing about climbing that gets me off isn't found in that gym. Its found outside. That's why the winter games again, are more appealing to me. They are outside. I can see the huge peaks behind them and am reminded of why I like the mountains so much.

You can disagree, that's fine. And I'm not mad at you for it. For me, the reasons why I climb are found deep in things other than climbing- they are a spirit of adventure and pushing one's self that I have found in many pursuits in the mountains. They are the same reasons I ultimately grew bored of being a competitive swimmer, lacrosse player, and wrestler. My experience is that those who wander in because of some cache the sport finds outside of exploration, they are typically (but of course not always) not who I want to share my time with. You may have different experiences, you may have different reactions or have met people who mostly break the "rule" that I have experienced.

My suspicion is that for all the reason your point of view will seem alien to me, my point of view will seem alien to you. I am listening, just so you know. I'm just not finding what you are saying to be convincing. Oh well.

More people= more publicity= more money / more awareness for access issues= more places to climb. Are lines at your crag really that big of an issue?

And really, how many people watch the Olympics and say oh that's cool, I'm going to go try that! I know I just watched the Luge on the Olympics and that it looked like great fun! There is no way I will EVER do it though, and I'd be willing to bet that would hold true for climbing.

If anything, climbing in the Olympics will give the pretentious, "hardcore", climbers on this forum a boost to their already inflated egos. When Joe Smith from next door sees climbing in the Olympics and asks " you do that?" they can reply " No, that's plastic , I only climb outdoors"

And I know this will be a controversial statement on this forum, but God forbid there's enough money in climbing to support all but the most elite athletes. If Olympic participation brings in enough money to support some of the climbers who struggle to devote their lives to climbing, then that is a great thing.

More people= more publicity= more money / more awareness for access issues= more places to climb.

If Olympic participation brings in enough money to support some of the climbers who struggle to devote their lives to climbing, then that is a great thing.

Pretty simple - more people = more access issues - just the opposite of what you posit.

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Couldn't disagree more.

I'm with the healy on this one... a rarity!

Think about what the best things are about climbing. Then, ask yourself if these things would be better by adding more people and more money.

i also dont get why you guys are trying so hard to convince me that we shouldnt have climbing as a Olympic sport.

Judging by the quality we've seen displayed here, what you think isn't very important to anybody. Think away, dumbass!

Things most commonly heard at the crag from non-climbers:

1. "How did you get the rope up there?"

2. "Do you wants to climb Mt. Everest in the Olympics someday?"

the black one goes fast :]

Did you spraypaint that flat black to "look" like carbon fiber? LOL! I bet you think your $3000 car is awesome.....some people were just born to be wrong, I guess.

your just jealous because my cars is better than any car you will ever own in power and value.

your just jealous because my cars is better than any car you will ever own in power and value.

your just jealous because my cars is better than any car you will ever own in power and value.