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piton
Apr 13, 2005, 5:51 PM
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suction cups for climbing kind of goes together. just like jerking off with sandpaper extra coarse
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climbsomething
Apr 13, 2005, 5:55 PM
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So much DURRRRRRR so little time.
What a bunch of losers ye be.
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rope_burn
Apr 13, 2005, 6:01 PM
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WOW...I didn't notice before, but this steve richer guy is a plethora of knowledge!!! Not only does he know how to go rock climbing, but he knows how to sell a screen play, hire a private investigator, get the boys together for poker night, start a rock band, read peoples faces, master gym ediquette, organize a camping trip, master french (in three pages no less) and go skydiving (now that is scary judging by his climbing article). I can't wait for his next article!!! :D
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gochubug
Apr 13, 2005, 6:07 PM
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The suction cups really are aid climbing devices...
Remember the French guy who used to climb skyscrapers using them and then always got arrested at the top? There you go: aid climbing with suction cups! Someone just doesn't see the difference between climbing rock and climbing glass :lol:
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mistertyler
Apr 13, 2005, 6:20 PM
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In reply to: Um, how does one get from one boulder to the other? Is there some fundamental difference between the concept of a boulder problem and a boulder obstacle?
Class II vs. Class V --- That's a pretty big difference, no? For an article about rock climbing?
Anyway, I had fun jabbering about the article. It's too beautiful a day for me to be sitting inside, though, so I'm off to the park for some reading.
Peace!
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dingus
Apr 13, 2005, 6:21 PM
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In reply to: Anyway, I had fun jabbering about the article. It's too beautiful a day for me to be sitting inside, though, so I'm off to the park for some reading. Peace!
Right on! Its good to disagree and banter without flames.
Cheers
DMT
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blonde_loves_bolts
Apr 13, 2005, 6:30 PM
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Here's a copy of the email I sent the guy... as amusing as this was to read, especially coming from the guido guy that wrote it, I felt it was my duty as an employee of a plaintiff personal injury law firm to relay the following:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Mr. Richer:
I read your article, intended to review the basics of rock climbing in the hopes of attracting new enthusiasts. With all due respect, Sir, your article is more likely to encourage Sylvester Stallone fans to attempt unsafe practices than to actually inform new climbers of anything that is true, relative to the sport.
First and foremost, rock climbing is extremely dangerous. The 2004 rock climbing chronology of accidents, for that year alone, contains over 500 incidents involving serious injury or death in North America, many of which were aided by a lack of knowledge. If you are going to try to encourage people, more specifically, men, as your column would suggest, then I would suggest looking into safety aspects of the sport prior to writing an article on the benefits of staying in shape by conquering a mountain.
Second, based on your descriptions of the various aspects of rock climbing, it is apparent that you have never taken an interest in the sport itself. That, I find to be a shame. You were correct in stating that it is an intense sport, and even if only practiced in a gym setting, it is a great way to be in shape, be social, etc. Also, it can help those with a fear of heights to conquer their fears. Perhaps you should try out the sport before recommending it in haste so as to make a deadline for your column.
Good luck in the future with your pursuit of journalistic integrity. Seriously.
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livingtheedge
Apr 13, 2005, 6:37 PM
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I was going to reply to this thread back when it was on page one but I couldn’t find the correct words. To me that article is not "dangerous". Anyone that is interested will seek other sources of information and very quickly find out that the pull the info out of someone else’s ass. However to me the article is VERY INSULTING. Here we have someone pretending to be promoting our sport and making a complete mockery of it. To me he is sending the message that "I don’t care enough about this to do the slightest bit of research... so I wont" Why would you write an article about a sport if you couldn’t give two shits about it. If he doesn’t like climbing then that’s fine. He can write an article about its dangers, and why it doesn’t appeal to him. However I take it as a slap in the face when he pretends to be something he isn’t, poses fake pictures, presents false information, steals other people "work" to do it, and makes a laughing stock of our sport to the ignorant public. BTW You are kicked out of school if you plagiarize someone else’s work. He should not go unpunished, especially because his career is based on his writings and not some stupid paper.
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iamthewallress
Apr 13, 2005, 6:37 PM
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In reply to: Here's a copy of the email I sent the guy... as amusing as this was to read, especially coming from the guido guy that wrote it, I felt it was my duty as an employee of a plaintiff personal injury law firm to relay the following
Honestly...I think that anyone with judgement so poor that they would endanger themself by trying to use the info in this article would probably get themself in just as much trouble if not more (b/c there would be so much more info to misunderstand!) with much respected how to's such as John Long's or TFOTH.
As for why people aren't dying in droves...Almost every time I climb at a crowded crag I leave asking myself that very question.
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tadam2000
Apr 13, 2005, 7:09 PM
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I couldn't resist. I had to e-mail this twit. I really do have more important things to do today, but I couldn't fight the temptation. Here's what I sent him:
********************
Steve,
Please tell us that this article was meant to be a joke. There is very little in what you wrote that is accurate; some it is very outdated; and other parts are patently ridiculous. I have been climbing since the mid 70's, have taught climbing, and have been credited with several first ascents throughout California, and I have never see such a complete misrepresentation of what rock climbing involves as this article.
"... some experienced climbers pull out suction cups and similar tools to climb up." Suction cups? I don't know who told you that we use suctions cups when the going gets rough, but they were clearly having fun conning you into believing such a preposterous idea.
"The five most common knots used in climbing are: bowline, Dutch marine bowline, figure-of-eight, figure-of-nine, and the tape/water knot". Sorry, chief -- nobody ties a bowline any more, and they haven't in years.
"Bouldering: This method consists of climbing small boulders without any equipment. Basically, it's like hiking with some obstacles thrown in." Nonsense. Bouldering can, and usually does, involve working out incredibly difficult and strenuous moves on boulders that can be 20 feet or more in height. Your description is akin to describing a gran prix race as like driving to the grocery store, only faster.
"Class 6 is impossible to free climb. There are no natural grips and aid climbing is the only way to go." If you're going to write an article about climbing, you should at least do your research with materials written in the last 40 years. The term "class 6" hasn't been used since the early 60's.
"For many climbers, rappelling, although dangerous, is the most interesting aspect of rock climbing." Well, you got the dangerous part of it correct, but the latter? Not even close. Anybody who says rappelling is the most interesting part isn't a climber. Rapelling is, at best, a necessary evil.
"Use handholds at head level because raising your arms any higher can get exhausting." What lame-brain told you this? You reach for the holds that are available, whether they are head-height or barely within reach. Try applying this advice of yours on a like the Phoenix in Yosemite and see how far you get.
"Your footholds should be generously spaced; small steps seem more inviting but consume more energy." This is pretty comical. Nature decides where the holds are, not the climber.
"...it's only a matter of time before you can be like Sylvester Stallone in Cliffhanger. If anything, you'll be able to impress hotties like Charisma Carpenter, Ashley Judd, Evangeline Lilly, and Lucy Liu, who are into the sport." What this article written for 14 year-old boys?
And finally: "This article should not be considered a substitute for a full-day class with a reputable instructor, but it's the perfect place for you to be introduced to rock climbing." You're right about this being no substitute for competent instruction, but this article is about as far off the mark as you can get.
If you and/or your magazine want to publish a how-to-get-started article on rock climbing, having someone who actually does it would be a much better idea. This effort is so laughable that it's being derided on some of the more popular -- and credible -- climbing-related discussion forums on the web.
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hulgan
Apr 13, 2005, 7:17 PM
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Registered: Feb 16, 2004
Posts: 92
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In reply to: Stupid ppl in this world never cease to amaze me with their ignorance...
What amazes me is how many people missed school when they taught satire in lit class.
The site features:
Top 10: Bungee Jump Vacations
How To: Become A Secret Agent
How To: Have Proper Urban Etiquette
Mafia Lessons on Life & Power
Jessica's Hot, Brad Is Not
Face it- much of the AskMen site is a hoax and many of you were taken for a ride.
Perhaps you guys need to replace the batteries in your bullshit detectors. Test yourself on the following article.
http://objective.jesussave.us/propaganda.html
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aztec6561
Apr 13, 2005, 7:25 PM
Post #88 of 169
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Registered: Nov 10, 2004
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Please tell me this article is a joke of some kind
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hulgan
Apr 13, 2005, 7:30 PM
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In reply to: Please tell me this article is a joke of some kind
Obviously.
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j_ung
Apr 13, 2005, 8:13 PM
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Registered: Nov 21, 2003
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
I can't imagine being poor Steve when he next checks his email.
:lol:
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glyrocks
Apr 13, 2005, 8:53 PM
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j_ung, no kidding. I guess he shouldn't have written a shitty article. He probably would been okay if it hadn't been posted here...
Oh, heh, yea, I use a bowline most of the time too.
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tadam2000
Apr 13, 2005, 8:57 PM
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Registered: Oct 17, 2004
Posts: 40
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In reply to: j_ung, no kidding. I guess he shouldn't have written a s--- article. He probably would been okay if it hadn't been posted here... Oh, heh, yea, I use a bowline most of the time too.
OK, I stand corrected -- apparently a few folks do use a bowline after all. Mea culpa.
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grk10vq
Apr 14, 2005, 12:20 AM
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(Here's a little-known fact: you can strengthen your hand muscles by placing your hand in the middle of a piece of newspaper -- which is laid out on a tabletop -- and crumpling it into as small a ball as possible, using only your fingers.)
:D This works with a big pile of crap too! :D
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gunksgoer
Apr 14, 2005, 1:31 AM
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Steve... http://forums.offtopic.com/.../smilies/bowdown.gif
all of us here on rc.com are just not worthy. people are flaming you for being stupid, when in actuality they are just jealous. your article was simply superb, it beats freedom of the hills by a longshot. thanks.
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guangzhou
Apr 14, 2005, 2:47 AM
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I like Steve,
Keep in mind, he is a proffessional writer. He found a site that wanted an article, he wrote the piece to match the audience, and the editors published it. I bet he got paid too. That makes him a proffessional writer, not neccesairely a journalist, so what if he knows nothing about climbing. He know how to earn a living in his craft.
With that said, I do wish he did better research.
I have to agree, the article won't do much harm. Most people who use the internet to such out climbing information and how to climb information normally end up at rockclimbing.com It's a good thing there's no bad information coming from the members of this site.
I also us a bowline.
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kman
Apr 14, 2005, 3:26 AM
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In reply to: Most people who use the internet to such out climbing information and how to climb information normally end up at rockclimbing.com It's a good thing there's no bad information coming from the members of this site.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
That's funny. Thanks for the laugh man.
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corankinrok
Apr 14, 2005, 3:32 AM
Post #99 of 169
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Registered: Dec 24, 2004
Posts: 34
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I gigled the whole way through :D
Hey there's a place in Rapid City SD called Hangmans Hill :lol:
Typical internet, take for what it is.
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freddys27
Apr 14, 2005, 3:35 AM
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Registered: Apr 26, 2004
Posts: 8
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Now I know how my teachers would feel when I would turn in an 8 page paper that only consisted of a quarter page of actual researched material.
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