What to do, what to do...the hordes have descended.....

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 21 - 40 of total 124 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
StahlBro

Trad climber
San Diego, CA
May 5, 2019 - 01:59pm PT
I agree Lynne. Seems like many of the current climbers just don’t respect the environment around the rocks the way they used to. Routes visible from the road at JT get a lot of traffic, and the damage is evident. Still, there are beautiful routes in the back country that are usually pristine and deserted. There are options if you don’t mind some exploration.
curt wohlgemuth

Social climber
Bay Area, California
May 5, 2019 - 02:18pm PT
I wish it were just climbing areas. Today with the Instagram generation, it's every outdoor place I go to. It's incredible how many people know about the obscurities I used to enjoy alone -- they're all there taking selfies and doing fashion photo shoots and hanging over waterfalls and...

Nothing is secret or obscure any longer.
Knut G

climber
Germany
May 5, 2019 - 02:39pm PT
*always take more trash out than in:

*i love remote places with more reindeer than men. Problem: Getting there meant having burned more than 40 tons of co2 in the past travelling by plane. Thinking about staying more in nearby crowded areas in the future.


Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
May 5, 2019 - 02:42pm PT
Bloody reindeer think they own the road!

briham89

Big Wall climber
santa cruz, ca
May 5, 2019 - 04:39pm PT
Yosemite.

Both from a climber and touron stand point it's all over there.....
tradmanclimbs

Ice climber
Pomfert VT
May 5, 2019 - 04:54pm PT
It's pretty rough most places in the east.... My policy for the last few years is to not say much if anything on local forums. this is a cali centric forum so I feel kind of safe blabbing over here.. Gripped magazine just ran an article the 10 best moderate multi pitch routes in Canada. Someone should kick that editor right in the crotch.. Whomever they were they just excecuted 10 great climbs....
tom woods

Gym climber
Bishop, CA
May 5, 2019 - 05:19pm PT
Me and a friend were just discussing this very topic this afternoon at the Buttermilks. Actually, a visitor asked about how we felt about all the crowds.

We discussed guidebooks, but the thing we noticed as different than the past is the footage. You can youtube every problem at the main areas and even some obscure stuff. This might be the main difference.

At the Buttermilks, when the crowds show up in the fall, my initial reaction is to avoid the place like the plague. But then I inevitably suck it up, ad head out the main areas because I have three kids and limited time.

What I find, year after year, is that everyone out there is there for the same reason I am. It's really fun.

It's not the same as the old days. It is most certainly different, but I find I can't begrudge folks for coming out.

I guess I have learned to get along and not be grouchy. I'd rather not deal with people, but they're pretty cool at the milks.

norm larson

climber
wilson, wyoming
May 5, 2019 - 05:33pm PT
If you spray you pay.

There are just too many humans competing for limited resources. Climbing isn’t really what’s at risk in our futures.
Bobbleseth

Trad climber
Utah
May 5, 2019 - 05:33pm PT



What to do, what to do...

I have a great idea

Try complaining on a dead climbing forum
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
May 5, 2019 - 06:05pm PT
^^^ Carpe boredom!
Stewart Johnson

Gym climber
top lake
May 5, 2019 - 06:06pm PT
That’s why I like climbing here in
Northern Cali

One hour hike and ten minute drive for
Solitude
Or
One hour drive and ten minute hike
To the crowds
Duh
johntp

Trad climber
Punter, Little Rock
May 5, 2019 - 06:09pm PT
And I remember when Joshua Tree was lonely...always got a choice of sites in Hidden Valley

Yup. And there was no trouble getting a parking spot in Humber Park, and spend a night there in the trees. No doubt climbing aras are getting overrun. It's not just the internet; also the mass amounts of guidebooks that are available today that list gear required and describe practically every difficult move on a climb.

Me and a friend were just discussing this very topic this afternoon at the Buttermilks
Yup. BITD when one went to the Milks there would be maybe one or two other partys there.

Remember climbing with Roper's guides; all narrative, no topos. Made it interesting.
sharperblue

Mountain climber
San Francisco, California
May 5, 2019 - 06:13pm PT
One word: Canada. Or mid latitude Bolivia. At least it’s not part of the Empire. Yet.
JLP

Social climber
The internet
May 5, 2019 - 06:29pm PT
This is funny - always posting pix of remote and sometimes unclimbed peaks - shows up to Supercrack parking lot peak season ... WTF?
seano

Mountain climber
none
May 5, 2019 - 06:42pm PT
There are just too many humans competing for limited resources. Climbing isn’t really what’s at risk in our futures.
Remember to spay or neuter your children.
maldaly

Trad climber
Boulder, CO
May 5, 2019 - 06:43pm PT
I think we just got a contract on our house in Boulder so we’re off! We’re putting our stuff in storage, hooking up the Casita to the back of the Taco and going on a search for a new home. Here are our requirements:

— A good community of like-minded people. Hopefully friends already.
— Good river access for fly fishing, rafting and kayaking.
— Quick access to Nordic ski trails
— West of the 100th meridian.
— Lots of local trails to walk the dog.
— Reasonable access to good medical care (Karen insists). FFL okay.
— Short approaches to easy climbs.
— Not too cold. Not too hot.

Help us find a house that has spare rooms so ya’ll can bivy here. (Not too long)

Mal & Karen
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Topic Author's Reply - May 5, 2019 - 06:45pm PT
Might be something you would do JLP but I drove to the parking lot, counted the cars, and then went to a buttress with only two other climbers.
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
May 5, 2019 - 07:02pm PT
Help us find a house that has spare rooms so ya’ll can bivy here. (Not too long)

Are you limited to the US?
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
May 5, 2019 - 07:14pm PT
And regarding the original question, what to do when the crag or climbing venue you once loved is now overrun by crowds, the answer depends on what you want, and what you're willing to do to get it.

If you can only think in terms of the classics -- Yosemite, J-Tree, the Gunks, Indian Creek, Squamish, the Black, whatever... Well, your best bet is to take up bowling.

If your mind is open, then the world is still your climbing oyster. There are thousands of crags in North America, of all sizes, that are not crowded. So the choice is yours: You can sit around and whine about how all your favorite crags have been spoiled by other people, or you can get off your ass and put in the effort to find and get to the kind of climbing experience you say you want.

As I believe Mr. Donini is well aware.
atchafalaya

Boulder climber
May 5, 2019 - 07:34pm PT
Tough to even find parking at the Emeralds today.
Messages 21 - 40 of total 124 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta