now what? how about buying yourself a helmet.

(i'll admit it. i have a problem. i can't stop blogging about ads that show climbing. the intersection between climbing and popular culture intrigues me.)

here's an ad from the folks at state farm insurance promoting the website nowwhat.com



the ad campaign presents the idea that "sh** happens." the solution? buy some insurance. more specifically, if you buy state farm insurance you'll be protected from life's little (or big) accidents. the question for me is: shouldn't an insurance company be a bit more focused on safety and preventing catastrophe? why aren't these climbers wearing helmets?!?

the other curious thing. where are the belayers? are they above the climbers or are the models simulclimbing?

it would really suck to have a rock fall on your car. the commercial reminded me of an accident i read about last summer where a boulder crushed a toyota off highway u.s. 6 in clear creek canyon, co.

the 2007 climbing world championship

apparently the climbing world championship is taking place in aviles, spain this week. who knew?

the folks over at rokoblog.com provide an interesting summary of some of the politics surrounding this year's lackluster opening ceremony (note: it's in spanish). they also dish about the fact that the president of the international federation of sport climbing was conspicuously absent from the kick-off event. i can understand why he skipped out. check out the odd footage of the grand ceremony. competitive climbing drama. good times.

i didn't know there was much serious international organization around competitive sport climbing. (i did a little bit of research. read = i quickly searched google/youtube.com)

here's some fun fast footage from another international climbing competition. the 2007 youth mundial escalada en equador. this one looks a little more legit - i can't imagine mazda would sponsor just any little climbing competition. ;)



if anyone out there knows more about international competitive climbing please add a comment!

the 10 best climbs in america

i'm always skeptical of these headlines, but what the hell.

a few pros, including lynn hill and peter metcalf of black diamond fame, were asked to pick their top challenging routes. some winners include: yosemite's the nose, casual route in rmnp, and elephant's perch in idaho.

story in forbes traveler and on msnbc.com:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20725652/

i wonder. why isn't there ever an accompanying "worst" list?

newcastle brown ale tries smooth climbing

(you can view a larger version of the ad here)

climbing ads are hot. or maybe i'm just starting to notice.

here's another one from new castle brown ale. i like the execution of the ad. the photography is strong and the climber (pro climber joe kinder) looks like he actually knows how to climb. the gear looks legit too.

the thing that stands out for me is the name of the climbing company on the "fake" billboard ad. smooth face climbing expeditions? are ya kidding? every climber out there knows that friction and rock features are what allows you to actually get up routes. the worst thing one would ever want to encounter out there is a smooth-faced climb. it looks like joe might be thinking: get me off this smooth piece of crap and give me a friggin' beer!

i guess the target for this ad isn't climbers. but still. it doesn't hurt to be relevant to the community you are representing either. climbers do drink - often.

ad credits: tim tadder, photographer || joe kinder, model || vitrorobertson, ad agency || pdn press story

oh! an aside. joe kinder will appear in brian solano's new film, "spray," releasing in january 2008. in the film joe kinder and chris lindner will explore the magestic climbing of northern california. be sure to check it out.

commiting to boldness

i've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of commitment --committing to far-fetched goals, committing to an artistic life, committing to that intimidating alpine climb.

here are some related thoughts from the scottish mountaineer william h. murray that resonated for me. he writes in 1951 in the scottish himalayan expedition:

"until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back; always ineffectiveness. concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. all sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise have occurred. a whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have dreamed would come his way. i have learned a deep respect for one of goethe's couplets: 'whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it! boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.'"

perfectly stated.