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taxexile
May 21, 2002, 10:12 AM
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I know PTPP prides himself on his home comforts while on the wall, but how the hell does he winch up his sofa? Almost all his trip reports refer to him climbing "straight off the couch". I have searched the Fish, Petzl and Yates sites and can find no mention of a specialist wall sofa, so I can only assume PTPP has improvised and attached webbing loops to his regular furniture to construct a home-made belay couch. I have seen many photos of climbers belaying from porta-ledges, and assume they are simply unaware of the Better Way, which clearly must be a comfortable well-padded chesterfield.
As a novice climber, I don't want to draw attention to myself through incorrect use of my wall couch. Is there some special technique to flag a sofa? Is leather or "crushed velvet" fabric better, and should I duck tape the corners? Can you "ride the couch" in the same way as a pig when rappeling? I can see certain advantages to this technique, possibly sitting at one end and counterbalancing with the pig at the other end.
When the good Doctor returns from the Valley, perhaps he could enlighten us.
I would also be interested in any opinions on highest consecutive days on the couch. I feel I may have some claim to this record.
[ This Message was edited by: taxexile on 2002-05-21 04:42 ]
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freezerfrost
May 21, 2002, 12:40 PM
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"Off the couch" is synonymous with hard-core training, IMHO. It seriously raises the feelings of awkwardness and points out the low level of fitness by climbing straight out of a coma. A distant second would be climbing with delirium tremens right after a two-week whiskey drunk and crank tweaker.
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kaptk
May 21, 2002, 1:48 PM
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I think that his off the couch comments mean that he doesn't train. He just gets off of his couch and goes climbing. He has talked before about the fact that you don't have to be in that great of shape to aid climb(as long as you know the better way I presume).
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tenn_dawg
May 21, 2002, 5:01 PM
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Hahaha, that was possibly the funniest post I have ever read on this site.
Quote.."Is there some special technique to flag a sofa? Is leather or "crushed velvet" fabric better...."
Haha, that's classic dude. Welcome aboard. (I can't believe everyone else missed the humor there!)
Travis
[ This Message was edited by: tenn_dawg on 2002-05-21 10:03 ]
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bigwalling
May 21, 2002, 10:51 PM
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I agree this is super funny. You took it way to literally man. But thats okay you gave me a good laugh.
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taxexile
May 23, 2002, 9:46 AM
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Thanks tenn_dawg - good to know somebody "gets it"!
Of course it was a trick question, the answer is obviously using a 2:1 haul.
I hope nobody objected to my "trivial" first post!
Best wishes
Duncan
[ This Message was edited by: taxexile on 2002-05-23 02:47 ]
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krustyklimber
May 23, 2002, 8:05 PM
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I believe me and a couch might actually be heavy enough for even Pete to say the 3:1 might be the "better way", as you could then jugg and clean from the couch using the far end hauler!
Photon you've made some leaps and bounds forward yourself recently!
And Taxexile, Welcome! You are very funny, you'll fit in nicely around here, I think!
Jeff
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krustyklimber
May 24, 2002, 9:38 AM
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"Stealth Improvement"
I guess if I have to tell you it hasn't been that much growth!
Evolution sneaks up on all of us, whether we notice it or not!
Jeff
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passthepitonspete
Jun 8, 2002, 6:26 PM
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"Off The Couch Ascents" of big walls are a speciality of Pass the Pitons Pete, so much so that I would consider it cheating to arrive in the Valley having completed any training beforehand.
However as Addiroids testifies, I manage to retain a reasonable degree of residual fitness that occasionally leaves sherpas twenty years my junior huffing and puffing on the approach trail as I skip merrily upward towards the base. [The fact that said youthful sherpa is carrying an extra fifty pounds in his or her backpack is beside the point.]
Big Wall Couches are found in a wide variety of models and sizes, with guady colour print patterns being most popular, perhaps due to their ready availability in local dumpsters. Broken springs protruding from the fabric should be mended with a pair of pliers and duct tape lest you risk punching a hole in your couch's rainfly.
While Brit climbers like our new friend Duncan (whom we welcome here as he demonstrably "gets it") normally choose a chesterfield, American climbers are more likely to be seen riding a big wall sofa. Climbers from other regions are known to portage davenports to the base of the Big Stone. Big Wall Theorists are easily identified and dismissed when they suggest using a beanbag chair.
Hoser climbers like myself generally choose a Lay-ZED-Boy Recliner as their Big Wall Couch. If you select one with a built-in vibrator, be sure to bring an extension cord or generator. Batteries are too heavy and would require you to reduce your beer and shower water rations accordingly.
On occasion you may be fortunate enough to find an abandoned couch along the approach trail, providing you and your pig with a comfortable resting spot. Please pick it up on your way back down, along with any jettisoned water bottles.
Recently there has been a great resurgence in the popularity of the pull-out couch, which is highly recommended by Dr. Piton when entertaining members of the fairer sex during big wall bivis. Equipped with comfy sheets and synthetic (not down!) pillows, the pull-out couch should be complemented with an end table holding candles, roses, champagne and ice bucket. [A coffee press may be substituted for the champagne, depending on your partner's preference.]
Note: Dr. Piton emphatically warns against the use of satin sheets on a pull-out couch, as sudden movements may send you and your partner flying into space at what is certain to be the most inopportune of times.
Rumour has it that a pull-out couch was spotted on the West Face of the Leaning Tower a couple of weeks ago, but this remains uncomfirmed.
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apollodorus
Jun 11, 2002, 5:48 AM
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Off the couch refers to being inactive in climbing, and then going out. The ascent itself does not involve the couch. The couch is at your house. Belaying from a portaledge does not constitute being "on the couch". It constitutes being "on the Wall".
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couchclimber
Jun 11, 2002, 6:42 AM
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couchclimbing is something that i take very seriously and i would appreciate a little support in this underrated artform.
my couch ranges from 5.9 on the arete to 5.11b on the north face. my favs are stale pretzel and crusty mustard, but my roommate would argue otherwise.
tour available
rob
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cantwinifyoudontplay2003
Mar 5, 2003, 9:24 AM
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Pete you rock ! Off the couch assents rock.... I do off the bar assents mostly though. Got to get that one last drink, you know it could just be your last. Climb and drink on.........
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passthepitonspete
Mar 5, 2003, 5:10 PM
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You know, mate - I just might have to try that.
A month or so ago I was sitting in a restaurant with my copy of the issue of Gripped Magazine that had the article about me written in it.
The waitress came by and asked what I'd like to drink.
"What do you have on draught?"
"Well we have Guinness, we have...."
"Stop!"
So when she brought the Guinness, I showed her this photo which appeared in the magazine, a photo where we strategically laid out Tom's Valley Giants, his bag of coffee, and a little something else you see in the bottom right corner.
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...p.cgi?Detailed=10405
[Please]click the photo which is a link to itself, and will lead you to the larger photo]
She brought over the restaurant manager to see it, and he was quite amused. Seems that the Ontario District Sales Rep for Guinness is a good friend of his! So naturally I asked about a sponsorship....
A few days later, there was a message on my answering machine from the Guinness rep, and I am invited to their big St. Paddy's Day party!
Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!! [DDEL]
No doubt we shall come up with some interesting photos.....
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danl
Mar 5, 2003, 7:16 PM
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so how long will it take the popular climbing mags to pick up the idea of off the couch aid climbing and put it in their "Aid Climbing Tips"
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passthepitonspete
Mar 5, 2003, 7:22 PM
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With me around, mate - sooner than you think......
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climb_plastic
Oct 1, 2003, 4:23 AM
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Getting up off the couch is like a V12 crux move sometimes.
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wallwombat
Oct 1, 2003, 5:04 AM
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In reply to: Getting up off the couch is like a V12 crux move sometimes.
So is getting off some bars. Hic..! :wink:
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andypro
Oct 1, 2003, 8:36 PM
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You mean you guys actually get up? hmmm..luckily I have a couch right next to my bed. It's more of a V0 roll that way. The tough part is keeping the feet off the hardwood floor as the couch is perpendicular to my sleeping arrangements.
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elrojobdugs
Oct 1, 2003, 8:41 PM
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super funny... its amazing how many people bit on this one
great :lol:
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sharpender
Oct 1, 2003, 9:38 PM
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trolls are supposed to be under bridges not under couches. 8)
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