In reply to Nick Lewis:
> ·For you personally, what specific elements of a climbing trip make it an enjoyable experience?
The company, great mates, the areas that you get to visit. beautiful scenery, the feel of the rock, the smells of the earth, the mental and physical challenge, being outdoors with the wind in my hair, seeing seals or other animals, the sense of adventure, going somewhere remote, away from other people, the sense of personal responsibility and of being capable of looking after my own safety.
> ·In your opinion, are there any factors that restrict climbers from having a good climbing trip/experience?
bad traffic on the way there, crowded and noisy crags (easy to avoid, mind you!).
> ·In your opinion, what factors do you think are influencing the development and growth of Climbing in Britain.
The development of climbing walls has led to an increase of people with no experience of the mountains getting into climbing. Also, this means that for many people, their first experience is a bolted experience - I've heard comments such as 'I haven't moved on to trad yet'. People are more distant from knowing about the history and culture of climbing. The people climbing are more diverse, more women. There is a wider range of types of climber - people who only climb indoors, who only boulder, who only climb on bolts.
It has led to a greater demand for outdoor bolted easier routes - Portland has become very popular and bolted routes are no longer sports routes where you would have to practice the moves, but simply routes protected by bolts. some climbers don't appreciate the implictions of bolting as they have little experience of trad, which can lead to an ill informed arguement for bolts, rather than one which takes in all the relevant information.
Cheaper flights mean that people can climb abroad as a common and ordinary thing. British guides for foreign destinations abound. People get to experience sun and bolts and would like more of the same at home.
Because people get into climbing as individuals, the role of clubs has changed. People no longer have to join a club to meet other climbers, but can meet them through the internet or climbing walls. Many local clubs seem to have slumped in terms of the amount of climbing getting done (not all of them!) and seem to serve more of a social role than a 'meeting other climbers' role, or serve to provide huts.
There are a LOT more climbers, and this means erosion, polish, noise, crowds, but also a bigger community, better climbing walls for practice.
> ·If you undertake other outdoor activities, what are they, and how does the overall "experience" compare with climbing?
Walking, gardening, mountain biking, running, camping. I just like being out of doors. But climbing has the mental challenge - that 'solving a puzzle' aspect which gives it an extra edge. It also takes you to some unusual places which you would never go to otherwise - sat on a ledge on a sea cliff in the fog, rummaging through an overgrown wood in search of a crag, deserts in Jordan, Finedon Slabs! ha ha!
