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The Bumblies Strike Back - Araps TR

Duncan

19-Jul-2006
3:46:12 PM

On 19/07/2006 ironmike wrote:
>So ... all the "hard climbers" hang from ropes trying to get another tick.

Simey's comment was clearly and unmissably tongue in cheek.


IdratherbeclimbingM9

19-Jul-2006
3:48:30 PM

On 19/07/2006 Duncan wrote:
>On 19/07/2006 ironmike wrote:
>>So ... all the "hard climbers" hang from ropes trying to get another
>tick.
>
>Simey's comment was clearly and unmissably tongue in cheek.
... unless your a sport climber.
Heh, heh, heh.
:)


Eduardo Slabofvic

19-Jul-2006
3:50:52 PM

On 19/07/2006 Duncan wrote:
>Simey's comment was clearly and unmissably tongue in cheek.

No. This is the way Simey normally climbs, although he doesn't limit himself to Doggers Gulley anymore.

deadpoint

19-Jul-2006
4:11:05 PM

On 17/07/2006 simey wrote:
>On 17/07/2006 M9iswhereitsat wrote:
>>A good read, and pleasing to see people enjoying their climbing. It also
>confirms that you don't need high grade numbers to have fun...
>
>What shit. Nothing beats hanging out in Doggers Gully and working the
>bejeezus out of a climb for days and weeks on end. The sooner these bumblies
>start focusing on something too difficult for them and learn to hang off
>the rope and pull on all the gear, then they will discover the joy of free-climbing.
>
>
>
I wholeheartedly agree, my personal hero, Andy Politt showed what could be done with dedication, a tube of glue and a George Michael hairstyling. Ahhh the 80's a period of time I choose not to remember.

simey

19-Jul-2006
11:10:48 PM

I’m glad to see that some people saw the irony in my comments.

By the way, if M9 wrote a story about aid-climbing Ozymandias and then got feedback along the lines of…

>A good read, and pleasing to see people enjoying their climbing. It also confirms that you don't need high grade numbers to have fun…

Would that be considered condescending?


IdratherbeclimbingM9

20-Jul-2006
8:56:36 PM

>Would that be considered condescending?
I wouldn't consider it so, especially if posted under a thread title like 'bumblies strike back' as acknowledgement has already been made of content; and this confirmed by the opening lines of the article.
>DISCLAIMER: This trip report contains no grades over 17, features many under 10, and is rated as suitable for bumblies only.

In any event people are entitled to differ in their opinions eh simey!
BTW Most feedback I get is along the lines of "dinosaur" etc., but that's OK because it's true!

Cheers.
:)

armyiain

20-Jul-2006
9:15:18 PM

Allrighty as the original poster I will throw my hat into the ring.

Lots (if not most/all) of people starting out climb at very low grades. Especially when they are learning trad, not many people want to initially throw themselves up a climb that whilst they might be able to ascend clean, they can't protect safely. Thats why we went down to give my two mates some fun on sub-10 routes, and then Trapeze at the end of the week to sort of consolidate their skills. I would have seconded Jake for over 200m, cleaned probably over 60 placements and they were all good. Being assured that my placements were good when I was just learning to lead gave me confidence to push the grades ever so slightly - so now I am leading 14s instead of 13s and so on. I know Jake feels more confident leading trad as a result of this trip, even if his leading is only in the lower grades. As said earlier, I now really hope to get back down in the next month or so and push 15 and 16. So this wasn't so much a trip for me to push the grades, but to just enjoy some climbing and learning. I'm sure I can hear someone scoffing about a 'grade 15/16 organ pipes leader' teaching someone else, but I don't give a damn. I have climbed on numerous occaisons with people who lead 20+, and their confidence in my skills has given me confidence.

Everyone started somewhere. Some people climb mid-20s sport before they move to trad, so their experience is probably very unlike mine. I pretty much started on a little bit of sport, then moved to trad. I might be a bumbly when grades are considered, but technically, I like to think I know my stuff. There is a big difference between knowing the gear, its limitations, (and what you can do with it) and climbing ability. In my case, injury and lack of time over the past 2 years have really held my devotion to fitness and climbing back. I now really hope to rectify this.

Its not about what grades you climb - its about the fun you have, the jokes between mates as you take the piss out of each other. Its about the beers round the fire at night, the stunning moves on good rock, about scaring yourself a little silly by getting on something harder than your usual, regardless of what grade you comfortably climb. These are things we all enjoy, regardless of how hard we actually climb. I think if you agree on these things, in one sense, you are a bumbly at heart. We get out there on the rock, whenever we can. We don't care what grade it is, as long as we are having fun.


IdratherbeclimbingM9

20-Jul-2006
9:23:24 PM

Well said armyiain,
... from another bumblie at heart.
Heh, heh, heh.

armyiain

20-Jul-2006
9:40:40 PM

Climbers have nothing to lose but their egos. They have a world to win. Bumblies of the world - unite!


sliamese

20-Jul-2006
10:17:18 PM

dyslexic bumblies of the world - untie!

armyiain

21-Jul-2006
6:55:58 AM

just make sure its not the fig-8 attached to your harness...

rubiblu

21-Jul-2006
10:02:49 AM

Enjoyed the report. Always enjoy reading all of the reports regardless of the grades being climbed. The majority obviously are those where people have more experience and are climbing higher...these give me something to work toward and look forward to, but it is great to read something closer to my own level. I am sure there are many people (bumblies) who would love to write up a trip report (don't we all love to share a great experience) but as with all beginners one can often feel a bit intimidated. The only solution is to just throw yourself out there and be able to laugh a bit at the rib poking. One of the rituals of initiation possibly? And maybe, for many of the old hands at this, it reminds them a little of the early days of their climbing. Just a thought/question, did any of the higher grade climbers throw themselves out there with a trip report of some of their first experiences(would seriously love to read some) or did they wait until they had something which they thought in the eyes of many would 'make the grade'?

ironmike

21-Jul-2006
10:19:15 AM

hehe - I was only having a light hearted dig simey ... I just consider myself to be an outspoken advocate for us Bumblies. Although, one day if all the planets align themselves properly and my wife gives me permission to climb as often as I really want to ... I hope to be a growd up climber like the rest of you. Until then ... I'll be a Bumbling hack who thinks he's a good climber, and blissfully loving hanging onto a juggy 15 telling everyone how tough it was! :o)

simey

21-Jul-2006
10:59:29 AM

Hey bumblies, there is no reason to apologise for climbing easier routes, or feel intimidated to write up trip reports. Most of you are having a far more adventurous experience than someone working a hard route.

What is interesting about someone abseiling down a route, placing all the gear, top-roping it into submission, then eventually leading it after numerous attempts?

What is so interesting about someone climbing grade 30+ if the experience itself has been dulled down to being a series of moves?

In my opinion the easier routes at Arapiles are unique in the world for their quality. Visting hot-shots frequently comment on the quality of our lower-grade climbs. The point I am making is if these routes are worthwhile for top-end climbers to enjoy, what is stopping anyone else writing about their experiences on them?

ironmike

21-Jul-2006
11:05:15 AM

A top form response there Simey.

This bumbly salutes you!

rubiblu

21-Jul-2006
11:13:07 AM

On 21/07/2006 ironmike wrote:
>A top form response there Simey.
>
>This bumbly salutes you!

I second that........that being what I do and all.


IdratherbeclimbingM9

21-Jul-2006
11:34:23 AM

>A top form response there Simey.
Agreed.
I enjoy reading simeys' posts, perhaps because more often than not I fully agree with him.

This has been a fun thread, & simeys contribution has caused some thoughtful levity to be added to the game.
:)

tokyo bill

21-Jul-2006
2:37:15 PM

Nice TR. I want to go back right now - it's rainy season in Japan.... :-(

There are 38 messages in this topic.