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General Climbing Discussion

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Worst things youve ever done to climbing partners 31-Aug-2007 At 1:02:26 PM rjc

Message

Standard fare to test out potential new climbing buddies, or keep current ones on their toes:

1. Having some Frank Sinatra/MegaDeath or whatever else is 'appropriate' playing in the car when I pick them up prior to the 4hr drive to the crag and seeing how long I can keep it on for, gassing about what a great trip we're going to have
2. Telling them casually that the rope they are tying in to was one I found buried in the sand and tangled around some rocks when I was last sea-cliff climbing - but that it's fine as I've had a good look at it and put it in the washing machine. Alternatively, I will sometimes pull out my faded 45mtr 9mm for the same effect.
3. Things in packs for the walk-in or walk out. Both preferably. Rubber snakes, spiders, rocks in packs, my rope and gear in their packs etc.
4. Comments before and during climbs along the lines of "...you might want to put some gear in there so you don't hit the ledge if you fall..." kind of thing. Or "Can I have your gear/car/wife if you die on this route?"
5. Hiding food then blaming the wildlife. If I don't eat it myself then it's an extra treat they get to appreciate at the end of the day!
6. Saying you don't have any toilet roll when they are desperate for a shit. Then pulling it out later from your pocket and saying casually that you forgot it was there.
7. Sandbagging them to bring on 6 as above and making up ridiculous beta with a nonchalant, "...but I've got shorter legs, so it might not work for you..."
8. Greeting certain climbing 'aquaintances' that you haven't seen for a while with a cheery "You're looking real healthy since I saw you last. Have you put on a couple of pounds or something?"
9. Chalking obscure and useless holds on routes they are about to follow.
10. Sometimes put in totally joker gear for a laugh and to see what they say
11. Talk about God and Philosophy on the way home while rubbing my chin
12. Tell them I'm tired on the way home and that I need to drive on the white line in the middle of the road to give myself room to swerve either way in case of roos - otherwise we are going to die

:-)