The consequences of “growth” are starting to show; the impact on our crags is visible. Shameless ethics and a lack of climbing etiquette are actually changing and indeed damaging the climbing experience. This article is not intended to say what the “right” code of behavior is. It is intended to show that there is a problem and that the people and companies that expect to make a profit or a living from our sport are directly responsible for educating the people who decide to make this discipline a part of their lives.
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He goes on to list several things he feels could be done to address these issues that had me nodding as I read each one.
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Thanks for sharing this, so good.
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Well, I certainly agree with his overall point. Most of his article, however, consists of blanket statements and vague generalizations about about the climbing industry and professional responsibility.
The only form of “impact” actually mentioned is leaving finger tape on the ground. And if you see someone leave their finger tape on the ground, you need to immediately tell them to pick it up and explain why they need to do so. If you see trash on the ground while out at the crag, pick it up instead of shaking your head and walking past. If even half the climbers out there carried a trash bag and picked up all the trash they saw when they went climbing, our crags would be spotless. And, it would be a much more effective way of setting a good example than an ad in some magazine or a video on a semi-famous climber’s blog.
It can’t hurt to have the industry make an attempt at raising awareness of impact, but specific examples of how to behave and how to take care of our climbing areas have to come from our peers. Because of the popularity of indoor climbing gyms, there are going to be newcomers to the sport who are not ‘outdoors’ people, who may not have that respect for the environment and leave-no-trace ethic. This isn’t going to change any time soon. It’s up to us to educate and set a good example.
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Come on man, if you’ve grown up in the western world you’ve been told your entire life that littering is bad. If Sharma’s next video has him teaming up with Captain Planet to tell you to ‘leave no trace’ or your gym teaches the kids club to pick up their candy wrappers that won’t make a difference. Littering is done by accident or by assholes.
The real issues with growing climber population are much more complicated. How to raise money for bathrooms so there isn’t poop everywhere? Are boom boxes are okay at the crag? How many routes can your group of newbies hog at one time? How do you stop holds from getting totally greaased up?
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I completely agree with Jasin. This guy says “you can’t blame them [the littering folks from NY] directly”??? Wtf? Of COURSE you can. Then you don’t have to write a dissertation/diatribe pointing fingers everywhere accept where the real onus of responsibility resides; with the individuals in question. Littering is a general problem that has everything to do with the kind of person you are and little or nothing to do with the “industry” you happen to purchase your shit from (maybe we should blame the Pole Vaulting industry for pole vaulters who litter at the track?).
And I also find myself agreeing with the “real” problems/issues that Jasin points to as well. Good work dude.
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I agree with others in that the ‘blame the media’ argument is a stale, gross oversimplification of the moral/ethical infractions that growth presents in climbing. Yes, the media presents an opportunity to promote positive change, but it’s not the root of the problem. Some people just want to watch the world burn, and others set it on fire without even knowing. Education will only change one of these groups.
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Man, I totally can’t wait until climbing is in the Olympics and we hit the big time!
We will long for the days when the only problems were a few finger rolls of tape, cigarette butts and bad crag dogs. Those pale in comparison to standing in line on a packed out base of naked dirt to climb the polished and gooed up classics.
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I live in northern NM and I cant *wait* til other people start showing up at my crags! The only chalk on the problems is the stuff I leave…
Jasin & seggawy leave great comments. Lead by example, that’s the way a culture is maintained.
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Just wanted to chime in real quick about littering, and this is semi-off-topic. Jasin mentioned that people litter by accident or they are assholes. I gotta say that, last weekend, I almost littered by accident! My friend picked up some trash that had fallen out of my pocket, and with frustration handed it to me saying, “can you put this in your pocket? someone littered, ugh!” I tucked it down as far into my pocket as I could, knowing it was the same pocket it just fell out of. Granted, we weren’t yet leaving that particular wall, and I usually do a sweep of the area before I leave, mainly so I don’t forget something like shoes, sunglasses, guide book, etc., and I probably would’ve seen it at that point.
But still, it happens. And I’m sure I’ve lost finger tape by accident. I for sure always try to find them when they slip off, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve accidentally left some behind. Flame me to death, but I think there’s more accidental damage than people realize. Not that this is any *better* really. I like Seggawy’s idea of just bringing a trash bag everytime you go to the crag and picking up. We typically do that and, I don’t know where you’re climbing, but the places I climb are usually pretty darn clean.
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