in response.

Yes you are right I am privileged. That being said I don’t come from a wealthy family and worked VERY hard to get where I am (which isn’t much in today’s western standards). As for this very reason I do a TON of volunteerism, since I was 21yrs of age. Perhaps much more or less than some of you, the point being I devote some of my time, energy and skills to make life more enjoyable for people I don’t even know, have met or will most likely ever see again.

I think if everyone found the time to volunteer there energy we would not have the problems in the world as we do. Darfur and all (similar ethical conflicts ) is absolutely appalling and honestly shows how disgusting the human race can be. People in power, politicians and CEO’s have yet to step up to the challenge and sit by and let it all unfold. The character these people display is about as low as a piece of crusty bird poo stuck to my windshield. Seriously one day historians will look back and view these people as cowards, thieves and liars. That is how they may be remembered till the end of mankind. Climbing keeps me closer to nature.

frimer
i do disagree with you: i do not think all climbing is self serving.
like i said, YOU are proof that not all climbing is self serving - by being a climber and also organizing this race. you are the proof.
another example?  the fact that someone took the time to create the burgers and fries route, in a way, proves that not all climbing is self serving. for some it’s a contribution.
beyond that…i suppose if you create a lasting bond that betters both you and your rope partner, while the two of you are out climbing, perhaps there’s more going on than just self-serving climbing. i’m sure much of this could also happen with most any recreational activity as well.

but that’s not my main point.

my angst lies in your initial post where you pointed your finger at us and stated that climbers are participating in a selfish activity when we climb and if we don’t want to be selfish assholes we would participate in your race.

that’s how i read it anyways.

so i pointed the finger back at you and stated: if you call climbing selfish, then you have to call all recreational activities selfish. activities you’ve participated in. by your definition you’re an asshole as much as we are.

so sure, perhaps guilting was the wrong word to describe your initial post. perhaps not.
seems your post did smack of something along those lines though: perhaps a better description may be: playing god - by hoisting yourself up as the one who gets to set the criteria (in this situation) for asshole.

basically i’m saying, perhaps you shouldn’t call people ’selfish assholes’ when you don’t even know them.
it’s presumptuous and arrogant. and you have little idea, if any, of who the lurkers on this forum are. we, like you, could be similarly engaged in global awareness issues.
so do not hop on this forum and call us assholes if we don’t participate in yours.

Rock climbing is so God-damned stupid.  All I ever wanted was to get up my route, and let another fellow get up his. 

As I hammered in the last bolt and staggered over the rim, it was not at all clear to me who was the conqueror and who was the conquered. I do recall that El Cap seemed to be in much better condition than I was.    — Warren Harding

Good on you for organising this, Jeremy.