Too many climbers?

[dagibbs]

Sunday was a gorgeous day to be outside, and I was outside climbing with a group. A big group -- including me, we ended up being 16 people. That is the largest group I've ever organized for a climbing outing, and I think it was a bit too big. Too many things going on, too much to keep track of. I did have a good time, get in some good climbing, and enjoy myself. But I also found it more work than normal for a group outing. Partially, it may have been a lot of people that were new(ish) to outdoor climbing, or with which I hadn't done a lot of outdoor climbing with, so I was less able to just assume they knew what they were doing as well. 16 Chantalle, Kate, and Noahs would be fine, I think. They could do their own thing, I could do mine, and it would go more smoothly. Or, at least, I wouldn't feel that I was in charge of making sure it went smoothly.

I'm guessing this is going to be a one-off that it got that crowded... there were several brand-new people; several climb rarely people; who all showed up for one day. And, it just may be that it was a really gorgeous spring day to be outside, too.

I'll see if I need to adjust my advertising of, and planning for, climbing. Is this going to keep up?

Comments

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

The extrovert's curse, eh?

It was a beautiful day... glad you managed to get out, and that everyone is presumably safe!

[switterbeet]

When it rains it pours. :P Maybe the sudden wonderful weather inspired everyone at once (I know I would've been keen if I didn't already have a bunch of weekend plans).

Tough to wrangle that many newbies! Maybe you could split them into groups led by more advanced folks?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

The split them into groups lead by others is dependent on there being others who want to lead such groups. Not everyone has my enthusiasm for, essentially, organizing and guiding outdoor climbing expeditions.

[switterbeet]

True, true. And you have to be in a mood to be patient with beginners, especially if it means not being able to push yourself.

[elizilla]

Extrovert's curse, yup. You carry the contagious enthusiasm, make climbing sound so fabulous, people want to go.