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gumbobob
May 28, 2004, 4:41 AM
Post #26 of 49
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Registered: Sep 21, 2002
Posts: 241
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2
2
4
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ronamick
May 28, 2004, 4:50 AM
Post #27 of 49
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Registered: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 476
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i consider free soloing to be the purest, most fulfilling and enjoyable type of climbing there is.
Trad and bouldering
29 years and counting
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billcoe_
May 28, 2004, 5:19 AM
Post #28 of 49
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Registered: Jun 30, 2002
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2 (very occasionaly)
1 and 3
32 years
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tim
May 28, 2004, 5:48 AM
Post #29 of 49
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Registered: Apr 4, 2002
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2, 3, 8
I lead 5.10 (reasonably consistent about this lately) and will solo up to about 5.8, depending on the route. I usually do not attempt to onsight solo anything harder than 5.7 because otherwise it ends in an embarrassing retreat. But sometimes the notion to solo a moderate route (Tree Route, Great White Book, Magician dome, etc.) will sneak into my head, and occasionally I figure what the hell, and it turns out to be a lot of fun. I don't want to get into a position where I am over my head and scared, but sometimes it is a good feeling not to dick around with gear and knots and such, and just climb.
I imagine this is pretty much what Mike feels like, I thought he was nuts to get on some of the routes he's done when I tried to onsight them. But then after a few falls and wiring the cruxes, I thought about it, and realized it wasn't too insane if you are climbing strong and confident on good rock. It's more a question of knowing your limits IMHO.
I don't have kids or I might view this differently, but I kind of doubt it.
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solo
May 28, 2004, 7:37 AM
Post #30 of 49
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Registered: Feb 12, 2003
Posts: 100
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I love free soloing. Not doing it very often though, because when given a choice between a trip with friends and going solo, I allways choose the fromer. I guess I am just too sociable for a "true soloist".
Whatever, I just climb. If it is a sport climb, I use its safety to push the numbers and log some airtime, if its trad or alpine I enjoy the mental aspect of climbing long less protected routes. However, bouldering and top roping are just a methods of trianing for me, I am afraid.
I've been climbing for 6 years now, hardest sport redpoint at lower 5.12's and free solo up to 5.9
However, as free solos go, the most memorable are those winter mixed routes hardly a 5.5, but scary as hell, when you're scratching the rock with crampons and axes.
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okie_redneck
May 28, 2004, 8:16 AM
Post #31 of 49
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Registered: Apr 25, 2004
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When I was a very stupid and naive teenager I would free solo very low grade five up to over 200 ft in street shoes to show everyone what a badass I was in Boy Scouts. I did say very stupid, so noone has to remind me. Now, I just solo TR 'cause I have an abrasive personality and noonoe wants to climb with my big mouth. I could say I've been climbing since I was five (I'm 26) and not be technically lying, but I've spent several years in Florida where the largest "mountain" is Miami's landfill, so let's say at least ten years on/off.
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tradmanclimbs
May 28, 2004, 12:16 PM
Post #32 of 49
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Registered: Apr 24, 2003
Posts: 2599
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Solo frequently
lead 5.10 solo5.5-5.6 or a seven if i have it dialed One 5.9 but the crux was low (junior@gunks). Solo lots of grade 3 to 3+ ice. lead 4+ ice.
Mostly trad but a good ammount of spurt and some boldering, some aid.
20+years
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craggincragin
May 28, 2004, 1:24 PM
Post #33 of 49
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Registered: Sep 15, 2003
Posts: 154
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I don't have the guts to free-solo much above 50' anymore, and personally I think it's selfish in regards to family, friend and business relations if you don't know what you're doing (a free-soloer who knows what they're doing never falls anyway).
On the other hand, most of the climbing I do is rope-solo. It all started back in the days of my youth when the only climbing partners were in North Conway, and for lack of such I taught myself to climb solo with a rope. Rope-soloing is an exhilerating approach to climbing, and a bit safer than free-soloing.
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ullr
Jun 6, 2004, 8:22 AM
Post #34 of 49
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Registered: Jan 29, 2004
Posts: 338
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What are your thoughts on soloing?
3. Used to solo alot of ice routes and some rock.
What type of climbing is your favorite when roped up?
3. Everything, but bouldering is my least favorite.
How long have you been climbing?
16 years
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rockn_j
Jun 6, 2004, 9:09 AM
Post #35 of 49
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Registered: Mar 13, 2004
Posts: 99
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I've solod some easy stuff, but its not for me. Maby one day.
Sport
4 years
I lead 5.11 roped up.
5.6 solo
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socalbolter
Jun 6, 2004, 2:11 PM
Post #36 of 49
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Registered: Mar 27, 2002
Posts: 796
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3
2
3
depends on the day and the route
5.10 or 5.11
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drake
Jun 14, 2004, 9:04 PM
Post #37 of 49
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Registered: May 24, 2004
Posts: 136
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I solo if i can't find a partner to rope up with.
I enjoy the company of a partner and leading harder than I can solo.
Soloing is good mental training for when things get run out on harder routes.
I consider it training for the alpine routes I try. Usually the rack is small and the exposure is big in the alpine world. It works.
I rarely see people soloing in the southeast which is probably a good thing. But I enjoy the freedom of no rope, rack and belays to slow you down. You can climb 15 to 20 pitches of moderate terrain in a day and the only thing that slows you down is roped parties.
Favorite climbing is alpine.
lead 5.9
solo up to 5.7 but enjoy the 5.5 range the most.
Climbing 11 years
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mcgardogen
Jun 14, 2004, 9:15 PM
Post #38 of 49
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Registered: May 19, 2003
Posts: 55
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3
One of my buddies and I soloed the first pitch of a 5.7 trad route on accident once does that count?
2 or 3
depends on my mood but I like to just all out climb and not worry about gear so much, but nothin beats a good trad route.
4 years
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j_ung
Jun 14, 2004, 9:21 PM
Post #39 of 49
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Registered: Nov 21, 2003
Posts: 18690
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I love nice long, easy freesoloing, but only do it occasionally.
I climb trad and sport regularly and occasionally boulder.
Been climbing 18 yrs.
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petsfed
Jun 14, 2004, 9:21 PM
Post #40 of 49
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Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 8599
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In reply to: What are your thoughts on soloing? 3. I used to but don't any more. What type of climbing is your favorite when roped up? 3. Trad How long have you been climbing? 7 |
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matttheripper
Jun 15, 2004, 7:06 PM
Post #41 of 49
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Registered: Feb 24, 2003
Posts: 65
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One Solo to date. 5.8
Trad, bouldering, sport
3 years
It's risky. I'm not good enough yet to have the head needed for freesoloing. Maybe one day.
Oh yeah, I lead 10+
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sketchy
Jun 15, 2004, 7:48 PM
Post #42 of 49
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Registered: Apr 17, 2003
Posts: 5
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Have you ever considered those who weren't very good at soloing do not have a means to contribute their opinion? :D
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stevep
Jun 15, 2004, 8:25 PM
Post #43 of 49
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Registered: Apr 20, 2004
Posts: 93
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3, 2, and 18. Though I've given up soloing since getting married and having kids, I still do highball bouldering, which in some ways is more dangerous than the soloing I used to do.
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flipnfall
Jun 15, 2004, 8:35 PM
Post #44 of 49
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Registered: May 18, 2004
Posts: 717
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What are your thoughts on soloing?
1. I participate frequently
What type of climbing is your favorite when roped up?
2. Sport
How long have you been climbing?
20 years
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holmeslovesguinness
Jun 15, 2004, 8:46 PM
Post #45 of 49
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Registered: Oct 10, 2002
Posts: 548
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What are your thoughts on soloing?
1. I participate frequently
2. I occasionally enjoy it.
3. I used to but don't any more.
4. Nope, never have, never will.
Probably #4, but I never say never. Bouldering may be as close as I get to soloing, we'll see.
What type of climbing is your favorite when roped up?
1. Top-rope
2. Sport
3. Trad
Trad, but I'm perfectly happy to be clipping bolts or TR'ing.
How long have you been climbing?
5 of the last 12 years, still a gumbie.
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watusi
Jul 21, 2004, 5:08 AM
Post #47 of 49
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Registered: Jul 16, 2004
Posts: 26
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Had done most J-Tree Classics like Left Ski Track etc. went on to solo Hot Rocks and others and was witnessed by BVB Soloing Central Scrutinizer ( 12C)
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outsideguyzak
May 28, 2005, 4:34 PM
Post #48 of 49
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Registered: Mar 24, 2005
Posts: 169
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I occasionally free solo; usually in the 5.8 range, also a few 5.7s and one 5.9+
I mostly sport, but have just started to trad and really enjoy it. I boulder a little as well.
I have been climbing for almost one year, but one very dedicated year.
I mostly trad in the 5.8 and 5.9 range, but onsighted a 5.10 at T-wall yesterday- Finger-locking good.
I sport climb in the 5.11s and 5.12 range.
I boulder v8 range
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sick_climba
May 28, 2005, 5:02 PM
Post #49 of 49
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Registered: Apr 1, 2005
Posts: 508
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In reply to: With all the discussions recently about soloing and the opposing views expressed I'm curious to know what the background is for people on different sides of the issue. Please reply with the following information. What are your thoughts on soloing? 1. I participate frequently 2. I occasionally enjoy it. 3. I used to but don't any more. 4. Nope, never have, never will. What type of climbing is your favorite when roped up? 1. Top-rope 2. Sport 3. Trad How long have you been climbing? My answers are 3, 3, and 13.
2nd sport,
3rd 5-6 months
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