Forget Grades, People Are Dumb Too

I’ve been following a recent forum thread over on MountainProject.com, about the upcoming 2nd edition of the Indian Creek guidebook. Author Dave Bloom put out a request for any photos or info people might like to see added to the book. In return, he got an earful from a vocal minority, some of whom were blaming him for “ruining” the creek. I always find these arguments entertaining. I mean can someone really be so blindly ignorant as to think that a guidebook is the reason a world class climbing area is crowded? Maybe it’s the easy, road side access, or the thousands of splitters, or the perfect weather… Nope, it’s the guidebook’s fault, and especially that evil, greedy author! Let’s string that guy up by his balls! Then I’m sure everyone will stop coming!

Sure, climbing at crowded areas generally sucks compared to having the place to yourself, but that’s the reality of living in a world where there are only going to be more and more people, and more climbers. Might as well figure out how to make the most of it, and be good to each other. We’re all in this together.