14ers.com

I have only been part of the community a few years and must say that it has gotten better. When I was new I would catch some flak for asking certain questions. I have a thick skin and just let it roll off my back but could see where that would have been a turn-off for some. But as I said, it has improved some from what I have seen even over the past 4 years.

CaptCO wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:08 pm...unintentionally seek attention...

Alec, your behavior on this forum has been seeking attention, most certainly intentionally. But I’m not going to psychoanalyze as to why.

And this forum is def more than just ‘old’ people, as you have repeatedly stated. In fact, I’ve noticed that many of your most fervent critics are in your age group.

You were welcomed at the beginning.

I think the forum is great, and as someone else stated the website is pure gold.

Being somewhat easily amused at times, I have found a lot of the captains comments and the responses said comments inspired to be quite hilarious and entertaining.
Maybe I need more of a life.
Regardless, I love the site.

it wouldn't hurt to ban the trolls, overall i think most people are well intentioned

Oftentimes it isn’t what is said but the way it’s said.

Such as, telling someone too bluntly that their trip report is not a trip report, but rather a conditions report.

Or, mocking someone who uses the term ‘winter’ just because there is snow on the ground, but is actually well outside of our two most common definitions of winter.

LifeIsGood wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 11:06 am Oftentimes it isn’t what is said but the way it’s said.

Such as, telling someone too bluntly that their trip report is not a trip report, but rather a conditions report.

Or, mocking someone who uses the term ‘winter’ just because there is snow on the ground, but is actually well outside of our two most common definitions of winter.

Or the poor soul would who innocently asks about using a guide or rope on a 14er.... the responses of which I always find amusing - since most people who climb with a "more experienced" partner or only want to climb with someone who has done the route before, are effectively using a Guide, just without a written contract.

Given the increased interest over the years, I'd assume there's a lucrative 14ers guiding business?

ker0uac wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:44 pm Given the increased interest over the years, I'd assume there's a lucrative 14ers guiding business?

there is. There's actually people you can pay to take you up bierstadt or grays in the summer.

Trotter wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:47 pm

ker0uac wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:44 pm Given the increased interest over the years, I'd assume there's a lucrative 14ers guiding business?

there is. There's actually people you can pay to take you up bierstadt or grays in the summer.

A quick google search found prices in the low to mid 200's for walk ups (Elbert, Handies) to almost $900 for technical climbs like Ellingwood Arete, or $1200 for a 3-day in Chicago Basin (train tix included!). Some rates vary depending on group size too. That was just a small sample of companies I had heard of, I'm sure there are more.

I chose "Other" because I have not posted enough to gauge acceptance of myself as a newer member. I also have yet to post any conditions or trip reports because all of my 14ers and 13ers have been walk-ups. I started to do a conditions report and trip report last Autumn when I hiked five 14ers in moderate snow, but after reviewing past reports I decided that my report probably would be of little value since most people on here are not new to snow, especially the milder snows of September. I did answer a couple of posts from newbies regarding the conditions that week.

On another note about creating a welcoming forum, I am an avid bass fisherman and have participated in a bass fishing forum with approximately 70,000 members since 2005. On that forum, there is a specified thread created for new members to introduce themselves. Sometimes a thread like that can help to break the ice as forum members respond in a positive way to new member introductions. That forum also has moderators chosen from among the membership by the administrator and the additional assistance helps to keep the trolling and vicious posts to a minimum. Those moderators are unpaid and provide their services to benefit the forum. This forum also has a strict rule prohibiting political or religious posts which helps to cool the boil also. Still, in a forum of that many members there is the occasional dust up. There is a percentage of bad apples in every group. If one thinks about it, in a town of 70,000 there will be a murderer or a rapist or two. What does that tell you about our forums?

Chicago Transplant wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 6:04 pm

Trotter wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:47 pm

ker0uac wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:44 pm Given the increased interest over the years, I'd assume there's a lucrative 14ers guiding business?

there is. There's actually people you can pay to take you up bierstadt or grays in the summer.

A quick google search found prices in the low to mid 200's for walk ups (Elbert, Handies) to almost $900 for technical climbs like Ellingwood Arete, or $1200 for a 3-day in Chicago Basin (train tix included!). Some rates vary depending on group size too. That was just a small sample of companies I had heard of, I'm sure there are more.

Humm interesting, I never met anyone working as a guide in CO and never saw anyone inconspicuously offering guide services here either.

ker0uac wrote: ↑Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:04 am Humm interesting, I never met anyone working as a guide in CO and never saw anyone inconspicuously offering guide services here either.

Offering guide services here would be against the forum rules (and would thus likely backfire).
I have seen one guided party on North Maroon and two on Pyramid.