Are we all Supertopians

[susan]

I really love some things about Supertopo guidebooks except how they seem to have popularized many climbs to a point one has to take a number and wait in line... If a ST guide were to make its way to covering Shuteye, I spose the shuteye name should change to more accurately reflect what will become of the place. It would not retain its sleepy character. This seems inevitable whether by supertopo or any guide or this site or any website sharing info.

[mungeclimber]

There may be a point of equilibrium where all areas have in print or eguides that are relatively up to date and or supplemented by mtn project, etc.

At that point of equilibrium, minus media promotion, then harder to reach areas will return to sleepy locations.


Calaveras Domes has a guide, but it has a slow distribution channel and is harder to reach than many others, and few moderates published.

Needles, will have a guide, that place will stop being sleepy and see more traffic than just White Punks etc.

[DaveyTree]

I think you have to figure the scene as part of it. The climbing gym scenes have been building over the years. Youngsters who are now driving and wanting more than a lead card are branching out to find more variety. So to start there are just more climbers than ever before with comps, climbing clubs, families, etc.

Any location with drive up access will be accessed by the masses first and most. Guide books will bring them but the harder, more R rated or further away the climbing the less people will show.

I doubt Shuteye will ever be over run. There are too many walls and too many with a healthy approach to think this would be the case. Although solo camoing will become less frequent.

[NateD]

Yes, we are all Supertopians - those who share in various degrees, be it word of mouth or thru guides. We cannot deny it, and can't really point fingers too harshly without being hypocrites, right?

Shuteye climbing is so dispersed that it is hard to imagine it being overrun on a weekly basis. And yet folks are slowly getting turned on to the amazing rock and some of the more accessible areas. It seems guides often bring the one time visitor, who climbs a few starred routes (classic or not), and then never returns. But I would think quite a few folks will want to return, and maybe we are starting to see the beginnings of that phase (and it came slower than I expected). Can't say it bothers me too much - It's neat to see others out there enjoying the climbs. Just hope that ultimately the impacts aren't too heavy.

 And yes, Davey is right that there are more climbers than ever, most coming out of gyms. Here in SF, they gyms are overrun with the young tech generation. It seems hipper than ever. If you haven't read it, this article is interesting: http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/selling-rock-climbing-in-the-social-media-era

[susan]

Nice points all...

Scanned through the article Nate. Got me thinking maybe as long as we aren't selling out climbing in some way too much, that sharing info inevitably to be shared in an Information Age is all good, so long as its not about some Field of Dreams ghost whispering notion, If you build it, they will come..."

Not that I dont like seeing people around these parts bc at times I do very much and we enjoy meeting up with groups of friends out there time and again...But have grown fond of the area's wildness and love how you can feel totally out there free and away from it all...

[NateD]

Funny you bring up the Field of Dreams line, as years ago I had abandoned route names like:

If You Build It...

If You Build it, Will They Come?

The quiet out there is a major draw for sure. If it does get annoyingly crowded eventually, I propose a new thread titled "Shuteye's Rude Awakening"

[donutnational]

I think the cat's out of the bag and can never be put back. There's a guide book and pictures all over the internet.  While I don't get out there as much as others I've been climbing there a few times a year since the early 1980's and noticed a definite increase in climbers since the guidebook was published.  But as others mentioned the area is very big and with a little walking and or wheeling it will probably never be hard to find solitude.
 
I have also been climbing at Courtright since the same time and it got pretty busy in the late 1980's and early 90's.  I've been out there 9 times this summer (almost all weekdays)and have yet to see other climbers except for a couple cars one day at the Tiger wall.  It will be interesting to see if that changes if that guide gets published.

[susan]

I think the cat's out of the bag and can never be put back.

True dat. Though I'm entertained by the thought of trying to put the cat back...

That is great that you've been getting out there a bunch, and during the week. Half way through summer, 9 trips is a good score!

[DaveyTree]

Courtright / Wishon GB will most likely be out this year or early next. Final stages. Dwight already has some water proof folding pamphlets with over views for sale at metalmark gym in Fresberg.  They will be included in the GB.