Selfish? Why do you say that? And are you referring to all climbing or just Ice Climbing?

maybe he means 'is climbing a shellfish sport?' - after all we have big mussels

You dont get it, his wifes name is Ruth.

I don't think ruthless and selfish are necessarily the same thing, but I think any athlete at any level can become selfish to some extent in the name of their sport, no matter what the sport is.

danose wrote:maybe he means 'is climbing a shellfish sport?' - after all we have big mussels

Take my wife! PLEEEEEEASE


Thanks folks, I'm here all week. Try the clam chowder!

Rockclimbing especially sport climbing, even up to low altitude big walls, is no more or less selfish than most other sports. Alpine climbing, especially the high altitude stuff is inherently selfish. Even on "safe" climbs there's a high chance of injury/karking it compared to most activities, so proponents must be prepared to put their desires above their wellbeing, and, the wellbeing of those who depend on them. I gave up mountaineering principally because I reached a point in my life where my responsibilities to the important people in my life were more important to me than the activity. I still want to get back into it, but after the kids have grown up.

In saying this activities like motor racing, base jumping etc are also highly risky so they fall into the same category...

But so is having kids Crusty. You're not just a hardcore risk taker, you're MADCORE!!!!!

No sport is selfish, the people who climb may or may not be. It is something you can do together with your partner, or kids once they are old enough. Or it may be selfish to hold a partner back from climbing if that is their passion. It's all a give and take thing if you have different hobbies and young children, have turns at time away. As for the danger factor, it's something you have to weigh up yourself. In my opinion life is for living, but in saying that I'm a bit more careful and aware now we have kids.

I took my little girl (two and a half) for a climb up to the snow on Ruapehu last week. On the way up she had a go at a bit of bouldering, tripped and grazed her knee. She cried.
When we got onto the snow she slipped over and cried.
On the way down she got scared and cried.
Near the bottom she got bored and fell asleep!
I'm so shellfish. Boo hoo.

[Note to CYPS lurkers - she also had lots of giggles and enjoyed some amazing views out past Taranaki]

SlackBoy wrote:But so is having kids Crusty. You're not just a hardcore risk taker, you're MADCORE!!!!!

I Do live life on the edge. Having kids is totally selfish, especially when you intend to hothouse them into steel thighed mtb warriors from hell!!!!

Holy genetic disadvantage batman

CrustyMTB wrote:

SlackBoy wrote:But so is having kids Crusty. You're not just a hardcore risk taker, you're MADCORE!!!!!

I Do live life on the edge. Having kids is totally selfish, especially when you intend to hothouse them into steel thighed mtb warriors from hell!!!!

Yeah, right.

Kids really hate having the chance to get out and burn off their precious energy reserves, they really hate having to do things that involve having fun with parents, they really hate overcoming challenges and achieving goals, they really hate the recognition and self validation that comes from doing their best at something. I'm surprised mine haven't gone and lodged complaints with CYF. Oli and Sifter likewise should be in jail for forcing their kids into Makara Bike Park.

Some parents are selfish (everyone is selfish to some extent) - but as a thing to do, parenting has to be one of the most selfless choices anyone can make.

Shut the fuck up Wombat.