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thewyseclimber
Dec 2, 2004, 6:53 AM
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Please, somebody give me a little support here.
I don't drink, and I'm not ripping on anybody that does, but I'm just curious as to what extent climbing and drinking go together? From the talk that gets spread around this site, and from the dominant climbing community, it seems that climbers can rarely be found in their campsites without a brew in hand.
Unfortunately, whenever I think about traveling somewhere and climbing with a random partner I'm not acquainted with, I take into account the environment that I might be exposed to, and I generally don't care to associate myself with people who are drinking. It just doesn't appeal to me, and I don't enjoy it, so I am hesitant to partner up with someone I do not know.
So what gives? Is drinking just that enjoyable when combined with climbing? What's the reasoning? How many of you don't drink? I'd like to hear from both sides of this one. Flame as desired.
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olejeff
Dec 2, 2004, 6:59 AM
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I'm just another drinker with a climbing problem...errrr....I mean.....well, nevermind...I think it's just the comaraderie and good times that go with climbing, camping, and hanging out. Nothing quite as enjoyable, after a days climbing, than hanging around camp, around the fire..having a cold brew or two with friends.
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epic_ed
Dec 2, 2004, 7:01 AM
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Non-drinker here. Recovering alcoholic of some 16 years. We're out there...sometimes literally.
Ed
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rrrADAM
Dec 2, 2004, 7:02 AM
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I've been clean and sober since Oct 23, 1988 (16 years).
I'm a friend of Jimmy K's. :wink:
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addiroids
Dec 2, 2004, 7:02 AM
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I gave up drinking due to too many stupid mistakes that cost me a lot of money (about 20,000 bucks over 2 years), and my climbing partner doesn't drink (has a job where he can't ever be out of control of himself).
But almost everyone else I climb with drinks. Don't worry about it, and you will find that the real losers will wake with a hangover and not want to climb the next day.
However, the real hardmen, will drink all night, drink the softies who won't climb the next morning under the table, get 2 hours of sleep, be awake before you with the rack packed and the coffee started, and burn your ass on the approach, and lead all the hard pitches. Those are the guys you want to climb with.
There is a continuum with those who drink. Most can just do it a bit and be great partners.
TRADitionally yours,
Cali Dirtbag
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nmoroder
Dec 2, 2004, 7:05 AM
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First of all, I don't care if you're an alchoholic or a non-drinker. To each his(or her) own. However, I will take it into consideration when I climb with you.
I think most climbers would give up drinking(for the weekend) for a good partner, or maybe I'm just weird like that.
Also, I don't know a single climber that would combine drinking with the actual act of climbing. I'm sure there are a few out there, and I wouldn't even consider climbing with them.
EDIT TO ADD(and read carefully before you blast me):
I think it's kind of dumb to never climb with anyone who ever drinks. I know people who enjoy a drink now and then, whom never drink in excess...
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phatcat
Dec 2, 2004, 7:12 AM
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dude, if your only 14, i wouldn't expect you to drink. :wink:
seriously though why is this an issue, who cares? just say NO!
off to community....
p.s. i might as well admit my shame, i dont drink either.
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addiroids
Dec 2, 2004, 7:15 AM
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In reply to: Also, I don't know a single climber that would combine drinking with the actual act of climbing. I'm sure there are a few out there, and I wouldn't even consider climbing with them.
I climbed Munginella in the Valley with a can in the hand and an extra in the diddy bag. Sure made you trust your feet when placing gear!
TRADitionally yours,
Cali Dirtbag
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jamaica
Dec 2, 2004, 7:17 AM
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In reply to: So what gives? Is drinking just that enjoyable when combined with climbing? What's the reasoning?
NO, it is enjoyable to drink afterwards and relax and reflect on a great day of climbing with a cold one in the company of friends by a fire. I also don't prefer to be around drunk people while in the outdoors, it just gets annoying when people are loud and obnoxious when you just want to relax and enjoy company of friends.
Jamaica 8^)
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cloudbreak
Dec 2, 2004, 7:21 AM
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I'm drinking right now! :D
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yamama
Dec 2, 2004, 7:24 AM
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Hey... i'm not sure who you climb around but all the people that i climb with don't drink and climb... kinda sounds like the drinking and drive'n thing we've all heard of. I'm sure some people do drink and climb but i've never seen any... but then again i live in a dry county. And yes i do drink but my friends and i drink at the campsite, not while climbing.
And we do have a few before/while/during slackline'n, which makes it eaiser i think... just harder when you're walking on the ground. Has anybody else noticed this?... LOL
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khenderson
Dec 2, 2004, 7:25 AM
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i drink on a weekly basis...usually one or two nights out of the week, but i never drink when i'm planning on going climbing....i don't wanna be half the climber i should be...or be dehydrated and risk serious injuries that would keep me from climbing. that's my stance.
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changling
Dec 2, 2004, 7:41 AM
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I don't drink either.
Drinking isn't a climbing thing, it's a social thing, otherwise there wouldn't be so many non-climbing drinkers. And for those who drink alone, that is something else.
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climbinginchico
Dec 2, 2004, 7:50 AM
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I never have more than 2 drinks. I enjoy a good beer, but only in moderation.
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maculated
Dec 2, 2004, 7:54 AM
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I drink on occasion, but most of the time I pass. Drinking and climbing only go together if you want it to. Epic Ed's hung out with me a lot, and there's only one time that I can think of that I drank in his presense - and boy, did I drink.
If you can't have fun without booze, something is really wrong.
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beanricecheese
Dec 2, 2004, 7:56 AM
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Bottom line is if you are drunk and climbing you are fucking stupid. A lit more give and take with bouldering but still not a smart idea. Drinking is social and a somehow drinking and camping go hand in hand when it comes to people who already drink.
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saskclimber
Dec 2, 2004, 7:58 AM
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-University Student
-Living in residence
...two most drinking-est places for a person to be...and I don't
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petsfed
Dec 2, 2004, 8:08 AM
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The allure of a beer or two after a day's climbing is twofold:
First, the beer should be cold, to soothe your aching to non-existant fingertips.
Second, there is alcohol in there which (as a depressant) can feel relaxing as it works its way through your system. Usually nothing so punctuated as to make one outright drunk, but its there. The so-called "first beer buzz." Goes away as soon as you crack open the second one.
That's all it comes down to. If you don't need the soothing cold bottle or can, a cup of green tea can have a similar effect.
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petsfed
Dec 2, 2004, 8:10 AM
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In reply to: Unfortunately, whenever I think about traveling somewhere and climbing with a random partner I'm not acquainted with, I take into account the environment that I might be exposed to, and I generally don't care to associate myself with people who are drinking. It just doesn't appeal to me, and I don't enjoy it, so I am hesitant to partner up with someone I do not know.
See, my response is similar but opposite. I don't like to drink around people I don't know. This is because I don't know how they'll treat me if I get too blotto and I don't know how they'll act if they get too blotto. Thus, climbing with new people almost always means no beer for me or them.
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cdnclimber
Dec 2, 2004, 8:25 AM
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Yeah so one time climbing at San Ysidro, in Santa Barbara...
I was in a party of 3, but we called one friend to meet us.. This friend soloed the first pitch of the climb we were doing with a thirty pack of coors in his huge pack that he soloed with.. I thought it was kinda odd, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Afterall the service was increadible.
I was leading pitch two while those turkeys were messing around at the belay trying to get more alcahol in them, I kept on getting scared of the pseudo-belay I was climbing on, but that twenty year old spirit kicked in and I just went for it.
I think the real issue here is pot smokers.. I am okay with the one or two beer approach to climbing, but I've seen some serious faux pas by stoned climbers. The best stoner climber quote I've heard yet, "Smoke Pot, Check your Knott."
I heard that one after 'someone' pulled out their three foot glass bong from his backpack at Mt. Gorgeous at Malibu Creek.
What is the take on smoking pot at the crag, aside from your local TR or common sport spots?
John Krakaur said he burned down a tent once cause he was smoking pot.. I think.
I'm not sure it's a good idea... Forgive me to the older generations of climbers that live on the stuff...
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rrrADAM
Dec 2, 2004, 9:15 AM
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Don't get me wrong though, I'm not anti-drinking at all, I just don't do it anymore. I'd be one of the 1rst to buy someone a beer, and have even talked a few unfortunate climbers from the site into being my "designated drinker" at rc.com get-togethers, and they lived to regret it, as I can put down quite a few when I have a designated drinker... Just ask Zac, as I had him drinking champagne, beer, and Cuervo Gold in addition to his Vodka last New Year's in JTree I believe, and he swore "never again" in the morning. :twisted:
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nonick
Dec 2, 2004, 9:42 AM
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I dont drink the night before climbing. I never drink while outdoors. I hang out with people who frown on combining hiking / climbing with alcohol.
One or two bad experiences with alcohol and the outdoors made me realize its not worth it. I must add i've never climbed drunk and never will. Its stupid.
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coldclimb
Dec 2, 2004, 9:59 AM
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I don't drink, and won't when I get the choice. It's not just because I'm too young either, just ask my many partners who've offered. ;) I've got nothing against those who do though, as much as I don't like the stuff. To each his own.
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mr_muffey
Dec 2, 2004, 10:20 AM
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The satisfaction I get from having a cold beer after a long hard days effort, be that climbing or restocking the woodshed etc.., cant be put into mere words. I think you need to understand theres a massive line between having a drink and drinking to get drunk. If you cant stand been around someone that wants to have a single beer after a hard days climbing then I think theres something wrong. I think a can of coke would do more damage then a can of beer so maybe you should exclude that group of people to. And smokers, and Lollie eaters...
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perozee
Dec 2, 2004, 10:34 AM
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Muffey's got a good point.
Nothing like a nice glass of wine in front of a camp fire after a satisfying day of climbing. Its like a hot bath, cig after sex...
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