tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.comments2023-06-07T09:12:00.141-06:00Mountains and WaterPeter Bealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15576690594320743452noreply@blogger.comBlogger2144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-30028424354546887152022-05-31T15:03:59.719-06:002022-05-31T15:03:59.719-06:00I maintain that the old notion, of a committed ind...I maintain that the old notion, of a committed individual with a single-minded vision and philosophy at the helm of any publication, determines the chances for a viable product - and that can mean even legendarily prickly editors like Ken Wilson. Not trying to be all things to all audiences is a good starting point, while being receptive to publishing alternative views and material isn't bad either. The obvious plan with the ObsceneMegaverse was to create a vast personal data-gathering machine, that would spew synthesized "content" back at the subscribers, as if that would feel personal and inspiring. In return, the Company would obviously have personal info to sell to all the manufacturers, and anyone else.<br /> That this vision deserved to fail goes without question. It's just lamentable, that it tore down the ramshackle structures of many labors of love, cobbled together with twigs and old webbing, along the way. The ripple effects may reach beyond writing and content staffers, as marginal, struggling small brands will have trouble reaching their niche buyers before their bills overtake them.Die Fledermaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00896421584733654889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-36227974677423017122020-04-08T01:01:24.944-06:002020-04-08T01:01:24.944-06:00Those ticks could be useful for finding idiots to ...Those ticks could be useful for finding idiots to shun in future. I'm a Brit expat, and I often use the ukc partners forum to find people to climb with for a couple of days when I'm over visiting family. My list of people not to climb with grew considerably during the last week of pre-lockdown discussions.AlanLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04820194790550072204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-1645828360232852592020-03-19T13:11:36.755-06:002020-03-19T13:11:36.755-06:00Good thoughts.
Your page sidebar had this:
https:/...<br />Good thoughts.<br />Your page sidebar had this:<br />https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/alpinism/enrico-veronese-frees-his-apartment.html<br /><br />In times of hardship, fanatics will always find means to their ends.<br />Reminds me of Rene Daumal's "Mount Analogue," where the visitor to the legendary mountaineer's residence was prevented from entering via the normal doorway; instead, one had to launch a round-about ascent to an upper story window, and traversing across a precarious roof, would be bombarded by potatoes thrown by the occupant, "to simulate Alpine conditions."<br />I'm also reminded of the late Warren Harding's passion, and commitment, to make climbing appear as disreputable and socially unredeeming as possible, in order to discourage all but the most ardent and dedicated from pursuing the effort. His tales, and personal life of debauchery, were cultivated as living proof, with the belief that as a finite resource, the vertical playground could not withstand an onslaught from the ordinary hordes.<br />Or, as Noel Childs(once the terror of runout S. Platte testpieces) put it, "What's bad for climbing is good for climbing."<br />After the pandemic passes, we will certainly see a great shrinkage, in all economic areas, but largely first-world recreational hobbies and indulgences will be the hardest hit. The hard core will emerge, and figure out new ways to barely eke out an existence between bold ventures, but their sponsorships and funding won't be there.<br />I feel for the spanking new Evo gym that may never open, but the last ten years have been artificially rosy.<br />Eric ^!!^Die Fledermaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00896421584733654889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-26999990393693498202020-02-08T11:18:45.037-07:002020-02-08T11:18:45.037-07:00Peter it has been 8 days. Peter it has been 8 days. kevin Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03130335209506008523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-55660405080249741592018-12-19T19:08:25.345-07:002018-12-19T19:08:25.345-07:00Would love to see you get active on the blog again...Would love to see you get active on the blog again, Peter. I have really enjoyed reading everything you've written!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06873501610477076216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-25641346907360094542018-07-27T11:42:23.674-06:002018-07-27T11:42:23.674-06:00So many good (bad?) things to write about right no...So many good (bad?) things to write about right now given the current political/social climate. Looking forward to your posts Peter. Micah Bryan Humphreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09051649321466387431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-39114108373409492042016-11-14T08:59:35.160-07:002016-11-14T08:59:35.160-07:00Dylan, Hahaha. Excellent! Keep rocking your privil...Dylan, Hahaha. Excellent! Keep rocking your privilege!Peter Bealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576690594320743452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-63934666309756202642016-11-13T23:29:56.859-07:002016-11-13T23:29:56.859-07:00Mind-opening, thank you! Having just watched this ...Mind-opening, thank you! Having just watched this movie, and being nowhere near as critical or intelligent as you, I was completely hooked by the narrative of nostalgia and joyful rebellion. I realize now, having read your article, what a dangerous movie Valley Uprising is. Privileged white male culture masquerading as anti-capitalist rebellion, that once again fails to acknowledge women and Native Americans, while simultaneously sensationalizing ever-riskier stunts and degrees of difficulty and downplaying the time and effort involved in making those free solos and BASE jumps happen - What audience is this movie creating? A perfect avalanche. I can imagine young impressionable drug-loving white boys, like myself, gobbling this story up at the speed of gravity, dropping out of school to live out of a van in the mountains, ending up dead or broken at the bottom of a tall wall. Mountain forbid that actually happens, but I can see the unstable conditions and I can't help but imagine a metaphorical rockslide. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14970098934777018199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-15053021718227955582016-08-15T15:29:13.302-06:002016-08-15T15:29:13.302-06:00Yes, not much coverage of Chuck Pratt, also, Bever...Yes, not much coverage of Chuck Pratt, also, Beverley Johnson. Her sweet smile lit up the Valley the years she was around. When I saw the photo of Bridwell, John Long, and Billy Westbay, my first reaction was, "They are trying a bit too hard to be dirtbag rebels."<br /><br />Someone did a series of interviews with Pratt, they give the essence without all the frill and controversy. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-1472447728941860952016-08-03T18:58:56.828-06:002016-08-03T18:58:56.828-06:00Makes me think of one of the best boulder problem ...Makes me think of one of the best boulder problem names, and a sentimental favorite of mine: Not to be Taken Away. I was eyeballing a sheep crashpad the whole time, no lie!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11409394654754595129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-11639111492982924532016-07-13T20:10:28.059-06:002016-07-13T20:10:28.059-06:00This sounds like a much needed updated version of ...This sounds like a much needed updated version of Gil Scott-Heron´s "the revolution will not be televised". Perhaps more like Tyler Durden. Or a sarcastic John Zerzan. You´re damn right, Peter. Everything is wrong with the world.Claudio Brisighellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07344044667499501808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-72703219282909847982016-06-02T16:40:22.333-06:002016-06-02T16:40:22.333-06:00I feel you, yo!
I feel you, yo!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11409394654754595129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-12254286569849225062016-05-31T09:28:18.680-06:002016-05-31T09:28:18.680-06:00Brilliant Peter!!Brilliant Peter!!Chris Weidnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15370362193496240477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-46189643924310187972016-05-31T09:27:54.900-06:002016-05-31T09:27:54.900-06:00Brilliant Peter!!
Brilliant Peter!!<br />Chris Weidnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15370362193496240477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-31513040462433655992016-05-28T16:20:12.139-06:002016-05-28T16:20:12.139-06:00Thanks Andrew,
But I don't understand this bus...Thanks Andrew,<br />But I don't understand this business about being "called out." This is a celebration of beauty and joy. Criticism is for haters. After following JP Sears on Facebook and Youtube, my whole outlook has changed. Bless.Peter Bealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576690594320743452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-74936135225171339342016-05-28T14:27:10.869-06:002016-05-28T14:27:10.869-06:00This is wonderfully sardonic and it made me happy ...This is wonderfully sardonic and it made me happy to read it. Such an extraordinarily vapid culture deserves to be called out as it's apparently incapable of self-criticism.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11871397175655315454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-80369972093325453232016-04-25T18:32:14.532-06:002016-04-25T18:32:14.532-06:00Anonymous,
I can't comment about Georgie's...Anonymous,<br />I can't comment about Georgie's responses beyond what I have seen in outlets like Facebook but I certainly felt free to critique the spray queen post along the lines of what I have written above. But I am like that.<br /><br />Micah,<br />For proof of how useless Instagram is, I posted that Cliffhanger photo from this post on Instagram to promote the blog and it got over 300 likes, far and away beyond anything my actual photos have received. And my photos do not suck. So f*#k that social media. :)Peter Bealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576690594320743452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-38259151149758725562016-04-25T15:20:21.342-06:002016-04-25T15:20:21.342-06:00Probably the reason that you only see a bunch of p...Probably the reason that you only see a bunch of positive comments on Georgie's shitty article on Facebook are because she has proven that any disagreement with her results in a vehement response that quickly devolves into name-calling epithets about being "sexist," etc. There are a lot of people who don't agree with her, a lot of them, like me, are women. I know that a lot us are actually afraid to speak up against her. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-45418778153495798062016-04-25T14:26:55.645-06:002016-04-25T14:26:55.645-06:00"...we are all special and everyone has a sto..."...we are all special and everyone has a story, whether it’s on a 5.8 or a 5.15, doesn’t matter, because community, and we’re all in this together, really, bound by inspiring words on Instagram."<br />Peter, hilarious and thought provoking. A good read as always, thank you for the post!Micah Bryan Humphreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09051649321466387431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-40760350040403102472016-02-16T14:20:13.530-07:002016-02-16T14:20:13.530-07:00As someone who maintains (or used to?) a largely p...As someone who maintains (or used to?) a largely polemical and admittedly at times rant-filled blog, I could not possibly agree more with what you've said here. My blog also currently suffers from a similar malaise, but given the fact that my readership likely numbers under two dozen on a good day it's often hard for me to justify crafting posts that may or may not even be read. Promoting my long, often critical posts on social media just doesn't seem to affect the quality or quantity of discussion either.<br /><br />I believe it's largely because of the situation you've described here, wherein critical writing and, more ominously still, critical thinking, are becoming more and more heretical to this notion of "positivity at all costs". I think you've hit it squarely that saving face now often trumps having discussions that, while difficult, would ultimately yield better understanding of issues. Further, it even seems that the more well-reasoned something is and especially if it takes longer than two sentences to effect said reasoning, the worse it seems to fare, especially in the online world. A you've said, the power of capitalism plays a strong role as do ever-shrinking attention spans, the latter probably being largely the result of the former's inexorable influence.<br /><br />If it makes any difference, I'm one person who wants to both read and write more contentious prose about climbing. I'm sure there are more of us out there, people for whom the discussion still matters and perhaps more importantly who still believe there are things that warrant discussion. There are still a few of us out here who haven't yet succumbed to the "just go climbing" platitude, which I liken to saying "simply enjoy the ride but don't ask where it goes".<br /><br />In any case, you may have inspired me to write in my blog for the first time in 6 months. It's hard to say what determines whether it's worthwhile, but generally simply hearing that one or two people enjoy my writing helps steel my resolve; hopefully it's the same for you, because I've always enjoyed your blog.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11871397175655315454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-78620582264430096032016-02-12T13:06:55.488-07:002016-02-12T13:06:55.488-07:00With all of that being said, what's the goal h...With all of that being said, what's the goal here? I've noticed that the trend in blogging lately is to, well, not blog :) Which I personally find sad, but maybe I'm part of an ever-shrinking community. I depend on online blogs or journals for my information or opinions but maybe I need to 'evolve' like the rest of the technocrats in my generation. I just don't know what the next step is (or am too lazy to try and find out). Tweeting? Reddit? Tumblr? FB? Instagram? None of these forums seem to capture the depth and personal attention required to address topics that you are fond of bringing up. Yet, if the audience is waning, who are we, in the end, blogging for? If our questions go unanswered, or our message does not inspire new readers to engage, then it does become a lesson in futility, right? But maybe not. Micah Bryan Humphreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09051649321466387431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-51911165064543582792016-02-12T12:55:36.642-07:002016-02-12T12:55:36.642-07:00I definitely think it's worth it. Whether it&...I definitely think it's worth it. Whether it's worth it to you or not is certainly a different question. I look forward to your posts when they do come out and derive a lot of 'things' from them (introspection, motivation, individuality to be just a few). My vote would be to keep going but I also don't have a family, a demanding career, and a training/climbing schedule on top of it all. Your perspective is one I value Peter. Hope to keep reading and learning.Micah Bryan Humphreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09051649321466387431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-4279904041975749412016-02-08T06:06:59.155-07:002016-02-08T06:06:59.155-07:00nice write, peter.
as one that also enjoyed heari...nice write, peter. <br />as one that also enjoyed hearing the the questions and controversies that ultimately arise from climbing's growth, i completely agree with you. <br />but i do think that if you raise these questions, the debates will happen. don't give up, but instead plant the seeds of discussion. be a voice that opens the questions we all care about, even if we don't know it yet. the climbing community will thank you for it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02344020583263113173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-44764361690043727412016-01-27T05:41:10.826-07:002016-01-27T05:41:10.826-07:00Dad who climbs and blogs:
http://sixtypublishing.c...Dad who climbs and blogs:<br />http://sixtypublishing.comSherpa Daddyhttp://sixtypublishing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4790818505250918302.post-54510000894293915182015-11-04T20:55:44.000-07:002015-11-04T20:55:44.000-07:00Thanks for the outside perspective on the reel roc...Thanks for the outside perspective on the reel rock series. I thought your review of Valley Uprising was especially on point. Still I am pretty excited to see the new one, flaws and all. <br />Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01222474221945933380noreply@blogger.com