Young Climbers
Young Climbers
I am a young climber in gauteng. i am 15 but hav got bout 4 years experience
recently i have started climbing a lot more (especially trad) and have noticed that many of the older guys/girls climbing seem to dislike the idea of me climbing. my partner is also 15 so naturally we have a good laugh and joke around quite a lot but dont get out of hand or become unruly..
so why is it that so many of the older climbers seem to dislike us? we dint even speak to them or give them any reason to have anything against us?
?????????
recently i have started climbing a lot more (especially trad) and have noticed that many of the older guys/girls climbing seem to dislike the idea of me climbing. my partner is also 15 so naturally we have a good laugh and joke around quite a lot but dont get out of hand or become unruly..
so why is it that so many of the older climbers seem to dislike us? we dint even speak to them or give them any reason to have anything against us?
?????????
Dear Quirkyclimber,
If you dint speak to any climbers, how do you know they dont like you? What is it that indicates they don’t like you?? Do you smell? I sense you might have a 'different' sense of humour.
Being from the Cape I have found Gauteng people to be extremely friendly. Know this: if they really don’t like you (& need to find out for sure) you're doing something to piss everyone off, stop doing it and everything will fine.
Otherwise...

Yours truly,
Cantankerous
If you dint speak to any climbers, how do you know they dont like you? What is it that indicates they don’t like you?? Do you smell? I sense you might have a 'different' sense of humour.
Being from the Cape I have found Gauteng people to be extremely friendly. Know this: if they really don’t like you (& need to find out for sure) you're doing something to piss everyone off, stop doing it and everything will fine.
Otherwise...

Yours truly,
Cantankerous
Maybe you climb better than they do and theyre just jealous?? I wouldnt let other people put you off something you enjoy, after all are you climbing for your own gratification and fulfilment or just to gain the approval of others? Next time you see anyone from that crowd march right up to them and introduce yourself, breaking the ice always changes social dynamics for the better. Hey if they are still off to you then forget them coz then they are the ones who are lacking true climbing spirit. Keep cranking and dont let the old folks drag you down!!!
young guns
Maybe it's the old guy you climb with!
Or your long hair...you should try cutting it!
BO is a serious problem when trying to win friends & influence people. Also if your climbing shoes smell...try some talcum powder.
Seriously though I suspect some people just wonder how safe a 15 year old is to climb with because they assume that you are inexperienced & that young guys can be a bit gung ho! As soon as people learn that you are safety conscious (particuarly in trad & that means wearing a helmet...any helmet) & capable they will treat you as an equal. Maybe some of them are threatened if you can climb 25's @15...it doesn't take much imagination to think you can only improve in the next ten years...unless of course you become too lazy because of long walk ins & become a couch potato!
Keep going, there are plenty of friendly climbers out there...someone has given you an early advantage in the game so enjoy it!
Or your long hair...you should try cutting it!
BO is a serious problem when trying to win friends & influence people. Also if your climbing shoes smell...try some talcum powder.
Seriously though I suspect some people just wonder how safe a 15 year old is to climb with because they assume that you are inexperienced & that young guys can be a bit gung ho! As soon as people learn that you are safety conscious (particuarly in trad & that means wearing a helmet...any helmet) & capable they will treat you as an equal. Maybe some of them are threatened if you can climb 25's @15...it doesn't take much imagination to think you can only improve in the next ten years...unless of course you become too lazy because of long walk ins & become a couch potato!

Keep going, there are plenty of friendly climbers out there...someone has given you an early advantage in the game so enjoy it!
Young Guns
\"Have you considered the possibility that you are an irritating little prick!\"
A distinct possibility!
A distinct possibility!
Maybe you've been bumping into groups of climbers from Cape Town?
\"The friendly city\"!!!
guy, your comment is narf. perhaps you're the dick?
Most things re climbing you can learn from books. If you are cranking hard already then you'll want to hang out with the older good climbers, who, in general tend to be cool people. It would be quite hard to be a grump negative old sour puss and crank 32's.
'quirkyclimber', the hills belong to you too. most olde folk have lost the ability to have fun. You don't even need to make the effort. If someone is a dick to you, then tell them to ufck off, kick them in the balls and throw their gear down the hill.
\"The friendly city\"!!!
guy, your comment is narf. perhaps you're the dick?
Most things re climbing you can learn from books. If you are cranking hard already then you'll want to hang out with the older good climbers, who, in general tend to be cool people. It would be quite hard to be a grump negative old sour puss and crank 32's.
'quirkyclimber', the hills belong to you too. most olde folk have lost the ability to have fun. You don't even need to make the effort. If someone is a dick to you, then tell them to ufck off, kick them in the balls and throw their gear down the hill.
Us young Climbers
\"Have you considered the possibility that you are an irritating little prick\"
Thanx for the confidence booster Guy.
But seriously, Oldsmelly (gnome) you should get back to work and yes wearing a Helmet is important, especially if you put first time leaders on a route with more loose rock than you know what to do with.
Yes it is our gorgeous long hair which defines us.
Thanx for the confidence booster Guy.
But seriously, Oldsmelly (gnome) you should get back to work and yes wearing a Helmet is important, especially if you put first time leaders on a route with more loose rock than you know what to do with.
Yes it is our gorgeous long hair which defines us.
Young guns 2
I am pleased you boys have learnt something from your elders, even if it is not manners!
Now what one should be asking is how many young ladies you are making efforts to introduce to climbing! Don't the fairer sex need as many opportunities as you guys...particularly the young ones.
I would hope in future that the \"Old Guys\" that you do climb with will ensure that you are not sent on loose, nasty climbs & that they would remember their responsibility to get you home safe & sound.
In turn I would like to encourage you to not just use older people to get to the crags, even if when you get there you \"can crank harder\".
How about some Timotei for that hair just before you go off to pose in the gym!
Finally possibly others would like to use this forum to discuss useful stuff & not just listen to your whining! Now back to some ACTUAL climbing...
P.S. I like what the other guy said...but DON'T think of Kicking me where it hurts or touching my equipment!
Now what one should be asking is how many young ladies you are making efforts to introduce to climbing! Don't the fairer sex need as many opportunities as you guys...particularly the young ones.
I would hope in future that the \"Old Guys\" that you do climb with will ensure that you are not sent on loose, nasty climbs & that they would remember their responsibility to get you home safe & sound.
In turn I would like to encourage you to not just use older people to get to the crags, even if when you get there you \"can crank harder\".
How about some Timotei for that hair just before you go off to pose in the gym!
Finally possibly others would like to use this forum to discuss useful stuff & not just listen to your whining! Now back to some ACTUAL climbing...
P.S. I like what the other guy said...but DON'T think of Kicking me where it hurts or touching my equipment!
I my book: \"Respect is earned\"; just because you have more years under your belt does not make you 'special'. I, too, have friends of varied age and ability but I enjoy there company and don't hang with them because of any other reasons (grades, status, ect). Insulting people on a forum is not the way to earn that respect nor will it maintain any previous respect of others. \"Can't we all just get along\" - Jack Nicholson
Just have to add this,
That Jack Nicohlson quote ended with him being shot in the chest with a territory-staking flag by a bobble eyed alien which could only be killed by listening to Tom Jones.
About as much sense as can be expected around here...have fun kids and fogeys, thats what its all about...[/quote]
That Jack Nicohlson quote ended with him being shot in the chest with a territory-staking flag by a bobble eyed alien which could only be killed by listening to Tom Jones.
About as much sense as can be expected around here...have fun kids and fogeys, thats what its all about...[/quote]
You mean people are taking this one seriously?? When half of them are called \"guest\" and the other half \"Karl\" 1 thru 5, and some dude is running around in tartan tights... (hey Tarty - are you a mad scotsman or a retro punk?)
The whole-hearted commitment to the topic seems a bit of a farce...As it should be! The generation gap is an older thing than any of us and the only way out is thru. Climb with whoever doesn't mind your smell, style and sense of humour, but CLIMB ON!
The whole-hearted commitment to the topic seems a bit of a farce...As it should be! The generation gap is an older thing than any of us and the only way out is thru. Climb with whoever doesn't mind your smell, style and sense of humour, but CLIMB ON!
Sense of Humour
In no way are we taking this seriously....
Guy the comment was just a joke...
Don't worry one of our best attributes is our sense of humour, in no way do we take your postings to heart
we were jus curious as to others opinions of our dilemma..

Guy the comment was just a joke...
Don't worry one of our best attributes is our sense of humour, in no way do we take your postings to heart
we were jus curious as to others opinions of our dilemma..

