Any dirtbags out there?

Ahh !I really like it, although I'm fighting with overweight for my entire life so even at my best I'm still too heavy and fat to be any good at it - I get tired instantly, and I'm simply too fucking big to be glued to a wall for regular periods of fun. But it is great, great fun. NOT CRAP.

not crap, but the fake wall climbing, with the nooks to grab on to, is crap. unless the wall is huge.

repelling down a good cliff can be a fun time too. the leaning back really scared me shitless at first, but once you actually do it its not that bad and definitely fun.

I've done it a couple of times. The one time I did it at Mississippi Palisades State Park was the most scary and exhilarating experiences of my life.

Definitely not crap.

I don't climb. I did meet Steve Wunsch a while ago, however. Super nice guy.

I started to get into climbing just after high school, but climbers and the climbing subculture were too much of a turn-off (especially when coupled with my own tendencies to poverty, to not having a vehicle, to not caring about gear, to being bookish/slothful, etc).

My brother's an avid mountaineer and alpine climber. He has a pro deal with Patagonia and I get his hand-me-downs.

Not crap.

I used to go climbing a lot when I was younger. Only ever indoor climbing though.

Recently, this place opened. It's about 8 miles from my house. The world's largest indoor climbing wall. Amazing place. I haven't gone nearly as much as I should, but I may make it my new year's resolution to go every week. In fact, I will.

I do a bit of hill walking but never proper moutaineering or rock climbing.

Ratho looks good, Nico.

Andrew. wrote:I started to get into climbing just after high school, but climbers and the climbing subculture were too much of a turn-off (especially when coupled with my own tendencies to poverty, to not having a vehicle, to not caring about gear, to being bookish/slothful, etc).

My brother's an avid mountaineer and alpine climber. He has a pro deal with Patagonia and I get his hand-me-downs.

Not crap.

Sounds like you met the wrong people. The dirtbags I've met have been probably the nicest, helpful, and non-annoying people I've ever met. Poor/homeless (living in their trucks), working two days a week just to afford what they need to keep climbing.

I much prefer bouldering to other forms. Can I get me some of that hand-me-down Patagonia wear?

I don't know of any good places to do actual rock climbing, but I have been to rock climbing walls a couple of times. I finally made it to the top of the intermediate level wall on my most recent attempt. It was a good feeling walking away from that.

I'll still vote NOT CRAP because even though it was freaking difficult it was also ridiculously fun, and I can only imagine the real deal is even more difficult/fun. Definite respect to anyone who is good at this!

Long fingers suck!