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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 9, 2017 - 11:49am PT
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I've always wondered what kind of income so-called "pro" climbers make. I know many sponsored climbers are just getting free shoes/ropes/whatever, which helps a little, but it don't pay for Sprinter vans and oceans of diesel fuel for the endless road trip, let alone post send brewskies, health insurance, etc. Just wondering about the financial realities of this life style. I know Bachar did pretty well as the sole Boreal rep for years. Of course, Honnold must be bringing in six figures. But these are outliers, the best of the best. What about your second, third tier crushers? Anyone got the inside scoop?
Don't worry. I have zero illusion of switching careers. I'm happily retired after reading tens of thousands of crappy essays, although I still have a touch of the PTSD. (shudders...the horror....)
BAd
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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I think I make around $125 a year with medical, dental, vision, six paid weeks of vacation, and I get a pension too.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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I think I make
The only people that I know that might say that would have to call their accountant to find out,
and the answer would be a considerable multiple of $125K.
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caughtinside
Social climber
Oakland, CA
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I think it's more like a fun internship than a profession.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Reilly,
I just don't know. It varies. Depends on how much OT I feel like working.
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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I suspect we all know the difference by now, between pro climbers & Large Pizzas?
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 9, 2017 - 03:21pm PT
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Heh. This is turning out as well as I'd hoped. Keep 'em coming, you rogues, scoundrels, and ne'er-do-wells!
BaaaaaAAAAAAhhhhad
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Nice Disney shot.
Here’s my view today.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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According to that short film about Brad Gobright, Alex Honnold has a net worth approaching the million bucks, and that was before soloing El Cap.
But you're right, he's definitely an outlier.
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seano
Mountain climber
none
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A friend of mine was a professional mountain biker, and based on his experience, I would say "not many, or not much." A few cyclists lived comfortably, a handful got by, and most of the rest worked other jobs to pay the bills. This is in a sport with 100% markups on $10k bikes. Climbing? You may make enough to live, but not enough to retire.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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^^^^
Well done.
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clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
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According to that short film about Brad Gobright, Alex Honnold has a net worth approaching the million bucks, and that was before soloing El Cap.
But you're right, he's definitely an outlier.
Wow, a "Pro" climber finally broke through the grass ceiling!
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seano
Mountain climber
none
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A dear friend is the reigning XCO olympic and world champs gold medallist. Gold medalist. My friend was top 10 at worlds, but not top 1, and racing in the US, not Europe. There's very little money in second-tier sports, and climbing, like mountain biking, is a second-tier sport.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Bullsh!t Klaus. Pro-level climbers that don't/didn't come from rich families dolling out fistfulls of coin: House, Cordes, Steck, Messner, Rebuffat, Bonatti, Ozturk, Dash, Kellogg, Swanson, Blanchard, Caldwell, Copp, Kennedy, Prezelj...
Pretty sure Klaus meant the current flock of Tier 2 and Tier 3 "professionals" not the Tier 1 that you've mentioned here.
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Oh, how it has changed over the years!
"No contest for glory among men."
"No renown to hope for."
"No audience to encourage him apart from his companion on the rope."
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Trashman
Trad climber
SLC
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Seems like the Skinner’s and the Honnold’s make a majority of their cash on the speaking circuits, telling the code monkeys in Mountain View to chase their dreams, not let fear hold them back, shift the paradigm, etc, etc.
Interesting bank shot when you think of it. Athletic achievement as prop on the motivational speaking tour.
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Hoser
climber
Vancouver,Rome
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I know Bachar did pretty well as the sole Boreal rep for years.
I thought for sure there was at least three fundraisers to pay for medical bills and such...doesnt sound all that glamorous to me.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Guide FTW!
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BruceHildenbrand
Social climber
Mountain View/Boulder
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Regarding Alex Honnold, don't forget about his Citi Card TV commercial. It got a lot of play here in the USA and he told me that it was going to start showing on TV down in Australia. Its all about the residuals!
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 10, 2017 - 06:48am PT
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Interesting stuff, Robert. Thanks.
@Guido: Well, damn. I was always in that old school camp. Can't beat old Lionel for a truth smack down.
@Hoser: Good point. I have no idea how he managed his personal finances, but Bachar was buying property and driving decent rigs when his lesser talented cohort were living off Alpo. And with all things medical, it's no problem running up bills that call for fundraisers, even with insurance. RIP to the master. He had a tough go of it those last years with the car accident and its aftermath.
I would think mtn. bikers would do a lot better as I thought it was a much bigger sport. I think it will be in the future, but with climbing coming to the next Olympics, the race is on. I know in my old home town of Tehachapi--tiny, middle of nowhere--the local community developed a pretty vibrant high school mtn. bike racing program. Pretty cool.
One thing re. "pro" climbing that has always seemed to me to be pretty damn annoying--if I had the chops to even be at that level--is the constant need to create and distribute "content." Gotta have the damn camera out all the time. Gotta set up shots, spray on social media, blah, blah, blah. I can see for sure how some folks might like the creative aspects of all that, but if you're in it for the climbing, ugh. BITD, you'd take pictures, maybe keep a journal, and all the rest would happen post climb. But it seems that today, the climbers have to do all this shiz all the time.
BAd
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Nov 10, 2017 - 07:35am PT
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I haven't seen many pro climbers remain active for more than a few years. The exceptions are just a handful, everyone can name them, even those seem to be low paying. Lynn Hill had some interesting comments in one of her Enormocasts. Her primary income these days is Air BnB. She was at the top. Overall, the pro climber seems to be a rather brief low paying career. Kalous generally asks his Enormocast guests how they make do, lots of other interesting examples.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Nov 10, 2017 - 08:05am PT
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Interesting definition, DMT.
When I think of "pro climber", I think of folks who afford their lifestyle by being a climber, not necessarily being paid to climb.
That puts models back into the mix.
An example of this from another sport would be Anna Kournikova. She was never in the top of the top, but, her income crushed many, many better players. Still does more'n likely.
More money in "climbing" now, it seems, especially since its become much more mainstream. There's gravy out there for the taking. Kids just need to learn how to show up. Those that do, do ok I'd think.
Anyhoo...interesting.
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seano
Mountain climber
none
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Nov 10, 2017 - 08:43am PT
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Seems like the Skinner’s and the Honnold’s make a majority of their cash on the speaking circuits, telling the code monkeys in Mountain View to chase their dreams, not let fear hold them back, shift the paradigm, etc, etc. I clearly need to work on my message. "It hurts, and it's more likely to make you dead or quadriplegic than rich" probably doesn't encourage tech-bros to open their wallets.
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Brian in SLC
Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
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Nov 10, 2017 - 12:40pm PT
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I would think sponsored climbers get paid some amount to climb, guys like Donini are probably (or were) pro climbers. I'm thinking that is a very modest income but what do I know?
My guess is J Do did a'ight. But, as a rep, not necessarily as a "pro climber" per se?
Maybe that's parsing it a bit. Maybe he'll chime in and drop dime...ha ha.
I think the folks that figure out how to do it ain't sayin'. Although, you gotta show up.
Its interesting to me. I've known a number of people who climb who are either in that industry, or, support themselves though some time of climbing (guiding, teaching, etc). Gear rep'n and private clients. Not sure anyone's gettin' fat off it, but, reasonable row to hoe it seems.
Find a significant other who pays the bills...
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 10, 2017 - 02:12pm PT
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I had a little conversation with Peter Croft, and he mentioned a mix--guiding, work for The North Face, some writing, etc. I'm sure occasional slideshows. His wife does real estate. Except for just a couple of people at the very top, it's not really a "career." At least the young studs can make a few bucks while they work out some sort of income stream.
BAd
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darkmagus
Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
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Nov 10, 2017 - 03:36pm PT
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I've always wondered about the role of "family money" in pro climbing. When you follow some of these dudes (well, two in particular) on instagram, you see nice cars, nice places to live, trips to nice restaurants, and endless international travel. I bet many people here will be able to guess exactly who I'm talking about.
Just something I've been personally curious about. It wouldn't change the fact that they're amazing climbers, but it would help to explain how and why they're able to dedicate their lives to it.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Nov 10, 2017 - 04:27pm PT
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Definitely some trust funded climbers out there - but not that many, IMO - still just outliers.
By far, the pattern I see is youth and fame - and it lasts like 2 years.
Open any climbing mag from a mere 2 years ago.
My career has spanned about 30 years at this point. I think your typical Joe middle age middle class white collar professional - seem to be several on this forum - likely have more in assets than any pro climber will ever have.
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Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
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Nov 10, 2017 - 06:01pm PT
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Probably all trustafarians to some degree these days....
But, a million years ago when I was actually in the industry... the rate was pretty small, even for big name climbers (the biggest) climbing for the biggest (again, maybe the biggest) companies. I remember the rate was like $100 t0 $300 a month on a shoe contract... ropes less, and other junk just a use it and keep it sorta deal. Pretty grim.
Bachar was a different case... he was 1/2 owner (or so, can't remember) of Sole Survivor Corp, the distributor/importer of Fires, and their hood ornament. So, there was a pretty large salary attached to that position. I don't think he was ever a rep though... maybe after it all went down the toilet.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 10, 2017 - 08:23pm PT
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Interesting, Russ, about Bachar. I assumed rep, but ownership makes more sense. I have a good friend who loves and trains hard for beach volley ball. She actually won a little money from a tournament or two, so she joked about caller herself a "pro." I suspect it's the same with climbers. Virtually all of them must have a supplemental income.
Mamas, don't let yer children grow up to be pro-climbers. Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such....or however that old song goes.
BAd
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Nov 10, 2017 - 09:49pm PT
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I think for a sport to support well off athletes it needs one or more of the following
-expensive equipment
-large spectator following
-competitions with big purses
Climbing has none of the above. Yet.
Also,
"No contest for glory among men." Not to ruin the nostalgia but I doubt this was ever the case in climbing.
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Nov 10, 2017 - 11:33pm PT
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It's always been interesting to me how low on the totem pole "professional" climbers are when it comes to income and making a living. Even our few outstanding outliers don't even come close to lower tier athletes from other disciplines that would be considered fringe sports in the sportsworld, like skateboarding.
Skateboarding. Riding a skateboard.
Nyjah Houston is worth 6million.....and he is 20th on the list of earners.
Eric Koston 15 million......
And we are not even talking about the BIG guys like Rob Dyrdek and Tony Hawk 75-100 million.
Most "pro" climbers get some shoes, some clothing, some swag, a part or two in a climbing video..... possibly some small income to keep them climbing. Most who are passionate about trying to stay in the outdoor industry seem to rely on their creativity as filmmakers/photographers and public speakers as a means of staying connected to the larger companies who appreciate their style and commitment to the outdoor lifestyle so that they can be an "image" for the company in hopes of selling clothing etc. somebody up thread hinted that it was similar to a nice internship, which I would agree.
Kind of wild considering they're often out there risking their life. When riding a skateboard, bass fishing professionally or playing Playstation games on "the circuit" can earn more than I do in medicine.
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micronut
Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
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Nov 10, 2017 - 11:39pm PT
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Some "online gamers" stats for ya!
And you really want to spend a year working the moves on your highball V15 to get some new shoes and a 32nd spot in DOSAGE 8?
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Crump
Social climber
Canyon Lake, Texas
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Nov 11, 2017 - 07:25am PT
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Back in my day, early 80’s-90s. The only way to be “Pro” was to guide. You can make some money there, may $200-$300 a weekend, but it is seasonal and hard work. Guiding is a service industry.
I did get some sides, speaking events, free gear, discounted gear, but mostly I taught at UTexas and at a high school during the week and guided on the weekends. And I always felt like I had the poors. It did pay for me to get my degree in Physics which gave me a carreer.
One of our key strategies was to smuggle Mex-Green to Colorado (before legal) to pay for our summers climbing!
But we were young and stupid back then and did not even know how to do sport climbing!
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 11, 2017 - 07:29am PT
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The whole pro video gaming thing just blows me away. I know there's even one college with a team, so there must be others. I guess it's all about the scale of the market. Climbers are still pretty fringe even with our talk of the sport going mainstream. Climbing will, I think, always have fewer participants than these other sports/games--at least I hope so. Gyms have really changed the scene, however. But, at least with outside climbing, it's pretty intense with sometimes serious consequences for mistakes--unlike basketball or video gaming. You might sprain an ankle on the court or get a sore thumb yanking the joystick. (Er, that last predicate was not meant to sound dirty...)
BAd
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Social climber
Wilds of New Mexico
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Nov 11, 2017 - 07:48am PT
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Most pro athletes in outdoor sports are more or less low paid employees in the company’s marketing department. There are not really that many sports that people will actually pay money to watch as spectators.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Nov 11, 2017 - 09:04am PT
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I don't understand the skateboarding thing - where's the money?
Skateboards are cheap, their clothing t-shirts.
Seems like a fringe sport with a few low tax bracket participants who generally live at home with their parents.
Skiing, motocross, video games, I get that - skateboards - no - fuk no...
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Nov 11, 2017 - 09:52am PT
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Yeah, hard to see where the bank is in skating. Those companies must be laundering drug money.
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chainsaw
Trad climber
CA
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Nov 11, 2017 - 10:59am PT
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I kindof relate to the guy Knish in "Rounders." He played the odds and worked a daily grind at Texas holdem to make ends meet. No glory. He got to meet a few high rollers now and then. My daily grind was to sharpen a chainsaw, answer phones, give estimates, write contracts then go out and strap on the spurs or throw a rope. I spent as much time dragging brush on the ground as climbing. In the gym it was basically the same. Silkscreen shirts, make travel plans, teach classes. Belay hundreds of kids. Set a route. Climb routes to impress clients and onlookers. Put up a toprope. Guide outdoors. I got to know alot of the top pros. I got to climb with a few people on the cutting edge. My trad partner for many years was on Northface A5 team and West Coast Pimp. But I was never a rockstar. Just a daily grinder like Knish. But I made a living off climbing for 20 years. Am I a pro climber? I dont think so. Just a grunt making a buck doing what I love. Made $225 for four hours work Wednesday. I will probably start guiding again next spring....
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originalpmac
Mountain climber
Timbers of Fennario
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Nov 11, 2017 - 12:06pm PT
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It's all about the perks.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Nov 11, 2017 - 12:24pm PT
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Let’s be honest, eh? The dirty little secret that keeps a lot of guys in the guiding game is the hope of hooking up with Da Shugga Daddy! I only guided on the side. Then I ‘inherited’ my Shugga Daddy when my homie bought the farm. One Christmas Mr Shugga gave me a nice little present of ‘some’ shares in his company. We’re not talking 2 shares and his company wasn’t the espresso shack down at the strip mall. 😜
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Nov 11, 2017 - 01:33pm PT
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There was the Canadian guide who led a prominent mutual fund guy. He got the guide set up in the financial biz.
The guide made millions.
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mikeyschaefer
climber
Sport-o-land
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Nov 11, 2017 - 04:04pm PT
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I’ve more or less made my living on climbing for the last 17 years. I’ve been involved in almost every aspect of the sport besides competition climbing. I started out working at the Mountain Shop in the Valley, moved on to working for YMS as a guide, then as a climbing photographer, as well as a sponsored athlete for Patagonia. I’ve been involved with marketing, field testing, designing, public speaking, rigging/rope access and even the talent in photoshoots (still hard to imagine why anyone wants photos of a short hairy dude…) I’d say my story as a professional climber is pretty similar to a lot of people in the industry, it has been pieced together. There might be some professional climbers that get paid solely to just go climbing but there are very very few of them. There are so few that I can’t actually think of any that just climb. If you are sponsored by any of the major brands part of your job is to be a marketing asset and a face for the brand. Some brands incorporate their athletes into the design and testing process and some don’t. As a Patagonia ambassador it is a big part of our job. It is usually awesome but occasionally we freeze our asses off in products that weren’t as warm as expected..
I definitely can’t comment on any specific incomes but there is a huge range. Most people start out with a simple product budget and then the occasional plane ticket. If you stick it out for long enough this might turn into a very small salary (think 5k or less). Eventually given enough time, energy, climbing talent, and charisma sponsorships can and do lead to six figure salaries. This is obviously the very top tear and probably only a handful of climbers. So basically there is everything between a free pair of shoes and enough money to buy a 2nd home somewhere nice.
Lots of people are quick to say that most pro climbers are trust funders, this just isn’t true. I do know a couple that are fortunate enough to have been left with some support from their parents but I know just as many non pro climbers that were left with nest eggs.
Personally I have been able to make it work over the years but am slowly trying to transition away from basing my income around climbing activities. I’ve always lived a pretty frugal life, living in my van for 12 years, eventually saving enough to buy a house in Central Oregon. I rent out the house and live in a small studio on the property though I still spend more time on the road in the van. I’ve got health insurance, a 401(K) and have made some small investments here and there.
Obviously my story is anecdotal and there are others that have had varying results.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Nov 11, 2017 - 04:07pm PT
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Only a select few can afford rent....
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 11, 2017 - 05:12pm PT
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Nice to hear you're making it, Mikey! Even some retirement stuff. You are way ahead of many of your peers even thinking about that stuff.
BAd
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Nov 11, 2017 - 08:37pm PT
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Nov 11, 2017 - 09:04am PT
I don't understand the skateboarding thing - where's the money?
Skateboards are cheap, their clothing t-shirts.
Seems like a fringe sport with a few low tax bracket participants who generally live at home with their parents.
Skiing, motocross, video games, I get that - skateboards - no - fuk no...
X-games + do tour + tons of participants = advertising $$$$$$ (lots!)
Also, Mikey, you sound like you're wise and gonna be just fine. Sweet!
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SilverSnurfer
Mountain climber
SLC, UT.
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Nov 11, 2017 - 11:42pm PT
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The Twitch streaming service was started in 2011 and sold to Amazon in 2014 for 970 million dollars.
The top Twitch video game streamers are pulling up to high 6 figure incomes on subscriptions and ad revenue. At any given time these players can have upwards of 10k viewers online-and that's with no team play or travel required.
A player can start streaming their own channel for a few hundred bucks in equipment. I work with a lot of millenials in the tech world and my experience has been that their interest in viewing, or paying to view, traditional sports is very low.
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hamie
Social climber
Thekoots
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Nov 12, 2017 - 12:41am PT
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"No one's gettin' fat,
'cept Mama Cass"
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ryankelly
Trad climber
Bhumi
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Nov 12, 2017 - 10:05am PT
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My take on the corporations that profit off public land and young athletes is this:
return value to the land and to the people you leverage for your brand
Corporations (the dominant institutions of our time) are legally obligated to primarily return value to owners / share holders
(with B corporations being somewhat of an exception)
Bears Ears inspired some activism but the "corporate climbing world" mostly resembles the rest of sports industry = leverage talent for sales, then discard in favor of younger talent
"pro-climbers" are just another example America's disposable work force at play
Owners, share holders, decision makers: invest in the land and the people for the longterm
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Nov 12, 2017 - 11:46am PT
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The more important way to look at income is to ask how sustainable is it? What will life earnings look like?
What is the length of the pro climbers's career? With age and incoming talent, how long can you stay at the top? Whoa - I'm making 6 figures - buy a fancy car - 10 years later you're lucky to get a job spinning around a brass pole.
I've seen this pattern play out my whole career in every possible way - if you're not busy creating true economic value in some way, things will likely change for you soon enough, the economic forces will eventually play out.
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jgill
Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
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Nov 12, 2017 - 12:43pm PT
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10 years later you're lucky to get a job spinning around a brass pole
Good point, but I'm having trouble visualizing Honnold with dollar bills in his undies.
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ryankelly
climber
Bhumi
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Nov 12, 2017 - 01:00pm PT
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@BJ
my idea of a compensated climber would be a "climber steward" position (similar to what happen in Yosemite by NPS) where they intentionally join the legacy of climbers advocating for the earth and for wild place like John Muir, David Brower, Yvon Chouinard, etc...
In some ways Patagonia's concept of a "Climbing Ambassador" approaches this but could be developed more fully
Anything to move away from the single minded focus on athletic achievement or Instagram likes
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Mike Honcho
Trad climber
Glenwood Springs, CO
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Nov 12, 2017 - 02:00pm PT
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These days, for my 'High Angle Rescue" services, my Wife and I get our airfare and hotel paid for a few times a year. All over the globe, but this is for BASE jumping and I'm also an EMT, though emergency medical services while you're hanging from a parachute on a cliff is not something I'm really doing.. just get to them, secure them, and deliver them to the real pros on the ground ASAP.
BITD, I made about 400bux per competition just as an appearance fee, If you did well it went up. Getting a picture in a magazine with a logo presented properly was also a sliding scale. TV or movie incentives didn't really play a factor unless you actually got on TV or a movie.
To be clear, I never have or never will consider myself a pro climber, just a regular yutz.
Caylor
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k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
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Nov 13, 2017 - 07:40am PT
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There's tons of professional musicians, but only a handful of rock stars. For the most part, professional climbers are happy to get gear, plane tickets to far-away places, any some spending cash for grub.
On the other end of the spectrum, the real rock stars get a bit more. I knew Sharma when he was at his peak (in terms of press). Man, I was jealous! That guy got flown to the most exotic places in the world and got paid handsomely on the side.
When you constantly put up the hardest routes in the world, you get to call some pretty good shots. When you're on the second rung of the climbing ladder, the wages are not so much monetary.
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nah000
climber
now/here
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Nov 13, 2017 - 08:02am PT
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yeah, thing about the size of the skateboarding “industry” is that i’d assume it’s not the hardware thats’s being sold that drives the profits.
guaranteed, it’s mostly the fashion [read especially shoes] that is consumed by a much wider segment of the population than those who actively skate.
think patagucci vs black diamond in the climbing world...
and so in that sense the highest paid skaters [and climbers as well] are more models who are athletes in regards to what they are actually being compensated for...
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WBraun
climber
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Nov 13, 2017 - 08:07am PT
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Yah all way too busy talking to be pros.
Now git to work ...... :-)
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Hubbard
climber
San Diego
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Nov 13, 2017 - 08:36am PT
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Tom Curren said it long ago that he wasn't so much of a pro surfer as a shoe and sunglasses salesman.
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c wilmot
climber
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Nov 13, 2017 - 11:03am PT
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Without the generous donations by the Royal Robbins company the valleys trails would be in rough shape.
Slightly OT- I used to go through skateboard decks faster than I would my shoes. It only takes one bad landing to break em in half. You can skate with a hole in your shoe- not so much with a broken deck
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Dave
Mountain climber
the ANTI-fresno
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Nov 13, 2017 - 01:00pm PT
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My wife is a wedding photographer, and after years in the industry she is giving up on it because it is so hard to make money - actually turn a profit. She made decent top-line revenue, but it worked out to like $4/hour after expenses and taxes.
The people who make money in photography are suppliers - those who sell to the photographers, or the top 0.1% who also educate the rest.
Why? The market is saturated by people who want to be photographers and who will underprice themselves and the market to get "in", the public doesn't know the difference (and doesn't care) so the only ones hurt are those who make quality product.
Climbing is somewhat similar - every young hotshot wants to make a "career" climbing, whether guiding or with sponsors, or whatever. So unless you happen to be Sharma or Alex Honnold or Peter Croft (i.e. the top 0.1 or 0.01%), you are not going to actually make a career out of climbing.
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rwedgee
Ice climber
CA
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Nov 13, 2017 - 03:02pm PT
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Much better to be a Jackass;
Johnny Knoxville has a total net worth of $75 million
Bam Margera's net worth at approximately $45 million
Wee Man net worth $12 million
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Mar 30, 2018 - 01:02pm PT
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I think I define success as just being able to do the things I want to when I want to. Being able to fund the lifestyle. There’s no number that makes that possible. A lot of it has to do with how happy I am with what I’m doing.
Great article, almost seems like the mental state that allows him to solo carries over into other aspects of his life.
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Mar 30, 2018 - 06:39pm PT
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that Randy Newman video is still Awesome!!
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Mar 30, 2018 - 06:41pm PT
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'What would Hank Caylor do?'
hmmm,
one thing he did is left this forum. Is he richer?
or us just poorer?
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Mar 31, 2018 - 12:01am PT
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Doh!
so only the previous hank content was cut.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 31, 2018 - 06:25am PT
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Thanks for that find, Kunlun! Super interesting. Makes me like Honlove even more. So, I gots to solo El Cap for the Big Bucks, huh?
BAd
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Roger Breedlove
climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Mar 31, 2018 - 06:45am PT
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And I thought it was so cool that I broke through $2,000 one year. Good for Alex.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 31, 2018 - 06:52am PT
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Maybe this needs another thread, but another brand of pro climber is the guide. Back when I was considering this, it seemed you made fast food wages but lived in the mountains. I assume this has changed a little, and I assume it's a more legit profession in Europe. What does the average guide pull in?
BAd
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Mar 31, 2018 - 09:57am PT
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I put in 40+ hours a week, average. I've been doing this for 25-30 yrs.
I don't know of any pro or guiding gigs that could offer that kind of volume of work, to keep anyone that busy.
One of the main reasons these guys make so little - is because they work so little.
Let's check back in on Honnald in - say - 10-15 yrs. So he says he wants a family...
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| Messages 1 - 70 of total 70 in this topic |
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