Climbing Partner Wanted
The biggest downside to climbing is finding climbing partners. My phone is chalk full of people I can call, but I would absolutely love to find one solid partner who is excited to get out on a regular basis. Yet there are so many variables when finding a solid partner, which include finding someone who is:
- psyched on the same type of climbs I am pysched on, which this year is 5.12 sport climbs.
- willing to also hang the draws. It is easy to find a catch, but harder to find someone willing to try and lead. I don’t mind leading, but I also get scared and have mental blocks, so it is nice if my partner and I can swap leads when necessary.
- knows the art of the dynamic belay. I am usually lighter than my climbing partners and do not want to end up with another busted ankle.
- has a similar schedule to mine. This is real tricky in Utah as many of my friends can get out earlier than 5pm.
- who is jazzed to go out with me, so the calling isn’t one sided. This is one of the trickiest variables. I feel like I am always doing the planning and it would be nice to find someone where the excitement to get call me was equal.
- and it would be nice to find someone who could plan prior to the morning of the climb. I have noticed that this one might be real tricky to find.
The ideal situation would be to find someone who every week wanted to get out on a certain day to work 5.12’s. The problem is, if this person is found, it is real easy to date the person (if male) and then inevitable things end and though friends, there really isn’t the interest in climbing together regularly. Or if female, as soon as they find a guy they would rather climb with their boyfriend. I understand both these traps and realize it is just part of the variables in finding a partner.
Regardless, if you are reading this and looking for a 5.12 sport climbing partner please contact me. I would be jazzed to meet you and get out on a regular basis. Hell, I will even bring beer and try to be cheery every time we hang out. =)
April 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
I wish it could be me. I would love to work 12s with you. And I’m the best kind of partner, I’m already married so you don’t have to worry about the relationship issues. Unfortunately, I am already tied up three nights a week with other commitments. And that won’t end till the first part of June. If you still need one then, I would love to help out. I could easily do one day a week, at least.
And I love to hang the draws. I like being scared.
April 18th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Craig, thanks for the comment! Let’s definitely get out mid-summer.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Hope you find that solid individual Rach. Anyway, if you do find someone, hopefully you’ll still find time to climb with the homies when they can ; )
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
I don’t know my schedule yet (about to start a new job), but I love leading and I’m GOING to onsight 12a this season. Goddammit. (Ahem, sorry.)
Shoot me an email, call me anytime; I’ll call you, too.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:17 am
My schedule is sporatic, but I know in a month advance I have the 15 to the 19 off. I can climb on Wed night this week