h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Any UK based climbers out there on H2G2?

Yes, me.

Me too. I've just read the entry and the list of posts under the title 'Utter tosh' - I don't think much of the article either. Perhaps we could get together and write some more to improve it. I may be a little rusty however, since it's been several years since I was on any rock. I used to eat, sleep and breath climbing; but then I found architecture and girls (I started my degree and got married). It still lives within me though, I'll just need some help to dig it out.
Maybe we could get a bunch of people together to write about British rock. I used to hang around on Derbyshire grit losing the skin from my fingers; how about you?

I live in the Peak district so get plenty of opportunity to climb on grit. I climb fairly often in other parts of the UK and abroad as well. I recon that British rock climbing has a very different feel to it than that described in the article. Maybe we should put somthing down?

I climb quite a bit in the UK.
What do you mean about 'a very different feel'?

Your article seems to focus mostly on the technicalities of climbing and even some of the "rules". To me climbing is not governed by rules nor is it especially to do with technical know how. Climbing is a freedom of expression, a way of switching off and relaxing, an opportunity to have a laugh with mates and occassionally a way of reminding myself about my own mortality. I guess that it is nigh on impossible to convey much of this in a few words. Don't take the criticism of the article personally. It's much easier to knock somthing than to write about it in the first place.

I agree, there seemed to be something missing about the essence of climbing. Perhaps we need some other articles that go with it - since this is a guide we could write some reviews of places to climb and what they're like. I don't mean the actual climbs themselves (there's already plenty of guide books for that) but the place itself; what it feels like to climb there, where the pub is, how good the pies are, best spot on the camp site etc.
The main thing I'd like to convey is how laid back and friendly the climbing community is. I tried surfing once, the supposed epitomy of the easy going lifestyle, and I got told to f!*k off before I'd even got in the water because I wasn't a local. You wouldn't get that at Stanage...

Good points... I'd left that kind of thing out 'cos it's regional (except that when it was subbed it was combined with Yossarian's entry on a couple of places to climb in the Rockies, which kind of defeats my objective ) and I thought it would be better to put regional stuff on individual pages, otherwise the page would get a bit long.
Regarding the freedom and expression of climbing, perhaps I should have said a bit more about that... I'm not sure how to explain it to a non-climber though. (without freaking them out or putting them off!!)
Perhaps somebody would like to write an article specifically about that? Then it could be combined with this article.

Oh and BTW neither Yossarian or I wrote the first paragraph of this page, in case you think you think I haven't got the hang of the whole spirit of rock climbing thing...

I'll have to give this whole essence thing some thought...not sure of the words at the moment. I've just had a look at your h2g2 home page and and web page - it seems we have more stuff in common. I've never played Unreal, but I've been getting into Half Life a lot lately and I also do a lot of 3D modelling for school. There's a link to my web site on my h2g2 page; take a look at project 2 for some groovy modelling. I'll be downloading some new stuff next week.

I also see you're a fan of Fight Club... I agree lots there

Fan? That's probably not a strong enough word. I even managed to get a quote from it into my last history essay! Check out the web site, it's got some cool downloads.
I've added a link from my page to yours, you've got some interesting stuff on there.

I've started something. I need your help. Check out the Tour Guide entry on my page.

Hi there e[version], you and Peregrin have just be brought to my attention by Joanna (she of the bubbles and darkness) (http://www.h2g2.com/U106694) because of a climbing connection.

Just taken a look at your Tour guide and I am definitely up for adding my 2 cents.

I am not too well travelled though having limited myself to South Wales and the Avon Gorge up to now, but I am happy to give those areas a go.

Just relocated from London to Oxfordshire so now on the hunt for a good wall to keep everything working between trips, but at least Oxford is nearer some reasonable climbing locations. Would appreciate it if anyone has any Climbing Wall recommendations for the area.

One thing comes instantly to mind though as I spend a large amount of time kicking myself about it, which if it has been featured in guides I managed to miss. Insurance!

I cannot recommend strongly enough that all climbers make sure their household contents insurance covers 'items away from the home' if they are taking their own kit out and about. I didn't and 20 minutes parked in Cardiff was all it took for someone to relieve me of a tent and £1500's worth of climbing gear that was not covered. Most insurers offer the extra cover but you have to ask and be sure to read the small print.

Anyway enough with the rambling, I will set my mind running on something more extensive.

JAVAM

e[version], something else that just occurred to me.

Have you caught 'Don't look down' on BBC2 - Thursday evenings?

The 'Climbing' is nothing of note as it seems to consist of a 3 ropes and a couple of ascenders, but it might appeal to your architecture side. If you or anyone else has missed it, it is about a guy who is climbing 6 structures around the UK. It provides an interesting look at some well-known places from an up-close external perspective and is well interspersed with historic snippets. The first 2 covered the Forth Rail Bridge and Salisbury Cathedral.

JAVAM

I saw the Salisbury Cathedral episode last week. Enjoyed it, the guy who presents it is very good. I couldn't get over how thin the surface of the spire was in places (he reckoned on about 3 inches in some places). I was disappointed with the fact that he just seemed to scale a rope, but he made enough damage as it was, donning his boots and chalking up probably would have been worse.

What really upsets me is the way that directors seem to live in a permanent state of denial when considering the existence of the camera man! Anybody with half a brain realises that they must have filmed it twice (which questions the authenticity of the whole thing - are we seeing the first climb or the second?) and the presenter gets all the credit even though he didn't have to carry several kilograms of camera and sound equipment!!!

Looking forward to your submission to the tour guide page.

Good point. I'll definitely put something in the entry about insurance.

The section about the spire was fascinating, serious bit of engineering the addition that allows them to crank up the spire so they can remove stones that would otherwise be under compression. I love the attitude subsequent architects have taken since it was constructed 'Er we're not sure why it hasn't fallen down so lets just add a few more bits to be on the safe side'.

Re: directors denial - agreed.

I reckon on at least 3 trips up to be honest. One person went up and roped it up and came back down, then the camera man and then the presenter guy.

But fair play I suppose, it may not be a difficult climb, but he does claim to suffer from vertigo and although I am quite happy at height and with limited protection, climbing that spire and being able to see an awful lot off to both sides would probably give me the shakes.

All in all a good show though, it is one of those programmes that the BBC do very well but then completely fail to advertise. I should think everyone in the UK knows Jeremy Clarkson is back on Thursday, but I doubt that 1% of those people even know this programme exists.

Ho hum.

JAVAM