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Why? If she was free-soloing a technical route and doesn't even know what free-climbing is, then yes, it might be rediculous. If she was just messing around on some rocks, 4th class or very low 5th class, whatever.
Why would free-soloing be any more ridiculous in Tahoe than anywhere else? Tahoe actually lends itself remarkably well to soloing. Lover's Leap has very solid rock, long moderate routes, and a great walk-off. Haven't you (and every other person online) seen Dan Osman's speed free-solo of Bear's Reach at Lover's Leap? Overall I would say Tahoe is one of the better places to free-solo. (Although I am certainly not recommending anyone do so. You really, really need to know what you are doing before you head out soloing. I'm not going to go into detail or debate soloing here, but it is not for someone without a strong command of rock skills.)
So in short you came here and sprayed about having done something that you didn't even do. Free-soloing is the climbing of technical routes without the benefit of protection. You're now revising it to you messed around on some rocks. You then say that you took chances, like in every other sport. Rock climbing does not need to be dangerous. Free-soloing does not even need to be dangerous. An experienced climber who chooses to solo possesses a complete mastery of the rock, climbing it effortlessly and flowing through each sequence. Statistically free-soloing is quite safe, with very few fatalities. There are of course a few notable ones, such as Michael Reardon and John Bachar.
Why would free-climbing be dangerous? The climbs in and around Tahoe tend to be quite safe. There are good opportunities for protection, or bolts, on pretty much every beginner level climb. If you were free-climbing unsafely and taking risks then you shouldn't be climbing. Quite honestly, if you do not possess the necessary knowledge to be safe out at the cliffs, you shouldn't be out there. Read up on anchors, systems, and gear. Hire a guide. You are not only putting yourself in danger, but others as well. A rescue is a serious undertaking, and dumb climbers making stupid mistakes give climbing negative publicity which can adversly affect access to crags all across the country.
I appreciate that you want to learn, but you need to do so safely and responsibly. Unfortunately your attitude so far leads me to believe that you want to take the quick and easy path to some minor measure of success. This is not a game, and shortcuts should not be taken.
I am going to respond, both for your benefit and for others who read this. I will address your points individually:
1: I was not assuming so much as inferencing. It is fairly simple to figure out if someone knows what they are talking about in the world of climbing. You talked about free-climbing when you meant free-soloing. I am fairly certain by free-soling you meant you climbed 20-30 feet up some rocks or small cliffs, not designated routes. The fact that you would spray about this at the same time you say you are a beginner speaks volumes.
2: You have not made it clear. The idea that you would publicly advocate or speak well of free-soloing as a beginner, and then go so far as to defend it, really says enough.
3: There is no reason for it to be a risky sport. If one is well informed, one can mitigate the danger to something very close to zero. Top-roping should carry no risk. Leading easier sport and trad routes with good protection ratings should not be dangerous. It is a matter of knowing one's limitations and climbing within them. Pushing these limits needs to be done responsibly and slowly. As to my personal qualifications, I climb 100+ days of rock and ice each year, all over North America. I have lived in Yosemite and Joshua Tree for extended periods of time, and have spent long periods at just about every other major North American destination (yes, including the Tahoe area. I have climbed Lover's Leap quite a bit, as well as the Phantom Spires and other Tahoe area crags).
4: As specified above, I do have a basis for judging your ability. Rock climbing is not like skiing. With skiing one can ski beginner and intermediate slopes, where falls are not a problem. Climbing is done on near-vertical, vertical, and past-vertical faces. Falls are the same regardless of the difficulty of the route. There is no room for error. You spraying about soloing as a beginner is the same as someone preaching on Ski Gabber that inverts are some of the simplest tricks, and the ideal first-timer or beginner activity. This leads to broken necks and deaths.
All climbers have a duty to self-police and educate. Every time I climb at a popular crag I see stupidity that amazes me. I have stepped in a few times and doubtlessly saved some major accidents or deaths. I have also been on the other side, where I have had to perform rescues. These rescues are usually the result of poorly informed decisions and practices. Rock climbing is still a fringe sport. Access is a constant issue. Landowners and trusts research and cite statistics and injuries when attempting to block access. We climbers and the Access Fund try to cite safety statistics in our pleas to obtain access to new areas or keep current areas open. I am not attacking you and am sorry you took it that way. Climbing is far more difficult to get into than skiing, because every time you climb with a person you are trusting them with your life. It is not something you can simply go out and wing on your own.
There are a number of excellent books out there that I would encourage you to read. Visit your local REI or do a search online. John Long's Basic Rockcraft remains a staple. If you pursue this sport responsibly and safely I'm sure you will enjoy it. The freedom and personal achievement it allows are amazing. Traveling to destinations around the world to climb beautiful formations provides an unending supply of objectives. Ask questions, hire a guide, take classes, read books, and try your best to partner up with knowledgeable people. I will caution you that when finding partners, a beginner who is cocky is a huge red flag. Be respectful, be forthcoming in your skill level and knowledge base, and represent yourself fairly. Do not try to impress prospective partners with your accomplishments or what you managed to get away with. Be humble, and things will work out.
I'm sorry you construed my constructive criticism as an argument. I do agree, what needed to be said has been said. I will offer one further piece of insight...Before you latch onto something and attempt to use it against a person, make sure you take the time to understand what it is. You sarcastically said that I "eloquently" used the word spray or spraying. This is a climbing-specic word, for a climbing-specific thread. To "spray" is to talk about one's accomplishments in climbing. For example, at the bar at night if someone comes in going on and on about how he climbed Cerro Torre, just completed a trip to the Trango Towers, and is heading off to put up a first ascent the next day, this would be considered spraying. Spraying may be done at any level, to any degree. It essentially means to brag, whether by proudly telling people that you climbed a 5.12, or that you spent the day soloing. Climbing is a humble sport, and by giving bragging a word it shuts it down. No one wants to be caught spraying. As such, spraying is climbing jargon, just as beta, flash, redpoint, onsight, and jugging are as well.
Oh, and yes, Wikipedia is most certainly wrong. Free climbing is climbing a route using only natural features to advance upward (or across I suppose, if a traverse), either using traditional protection or bolts. Aid climbing, bouldering, and free soloing are separate disciplines. Then there is the world of ice climbing, which is a whole different arena of awesomeness!
You live in a great area to get into climbing, and by far the best state in the US to climb. Lover's Leap holds an amazing assortment of high quality easy routes, there are other exciting adventures around such as the Phantom Spires (check out Candyland - it looks so simple yet is not straightforward at all). Then Bishop, Owen's River Gorge, the Needles, and Yosemite (and Toulumne) are not too far away. In the winter you have Joshua Tree. There is just so much to climb everywhere in California, in any season. I'd like to get back out there this summer and head out to the Incredible Hulk in the High Sierra.
Gunks! yes, I climb there a lot. if you ever want to do some bouldering, get at me.
Gunks you say? Anyone? Anyone? Gunks?
I need a roadtrip bad too. Let's work on something soon eh? Like super soon. I need to release some stress on those kick ass rocks.
thats a superb idea!
yes, i do. we'll just see if we're allowed there right now and i also have to see if the dog is allowed.
if not the gunks (mainly due to it being crowded so early in the season), theres another place that we like to hit up on occassion. there are 4 giant boulders at this place and we camp right there. its so prime. eat some din, hang out on the pads and climb all day and night. oh and i should mention that no one else has ever climbed these either. we cleaned them all ourselves and named what we've climbed.
this is the one i got first ascent on
I know I have more pics of this place but I need to search for them. I'll try to post more later.
