What is this about?
It's about me.
I climb, I take pictures and there it is: a web site full
of climbing photos.
That's pretty simple, isn't it?
(There I am to the left. Nice tights, huh?)
What does Beta Boy mean?
Beta is a term that rock climbers use. It comes from the word
Betamax. When one climber describes the moves on a climbing route, he or she is giving the other climber "the beta."
In other words, a preview of the features, holds and moves that will be encountered on the climb.
Somehow, during the course of my time as a climber in the Gunks, I came
to acquire the nickname "Beta Boy." How did this come to be? Two very simple reasons:
1) I'm lazy. And not a particularly gifted climber. I
just don't have the time and energy to figure out climbing routes each time I do them. Instead, my brain files away
every single nub, foothold and move so that the next time I get on the climb, I don't have to waste time figuring
it all out again.
My wife likes to joke that I know the beta for climbs in states that
I've never even been to. The sad fact is, she's right. There are many top climbing areas not covered by this site.
But that's only because I haven't had a chance to visit them yet. Eventually I will. And that pre-beta that's
already uploaded in my head will come in mighty handy!
2) I hate climbing in hot weather. So back in 1988, during an
especially hot and humid August, instead of taking a vacation entirely from rock climbing, I began to obsessively compile
a guide to the bouldering in New York City. I thought since I've filled my brain with all this beta for the little boulders
in Manhattan, I might as well put it to some use.
So, that's me. And that's what this site is about.
Comments, suggestions, rants, raves and any other type of thoughts can be
directed at me at mkword@aol.com.
