Es ist bekannt: „Man geht nicht nach dem Klettern einen Kaffee trinken, sondern Kaffeetrinken ist Teil des Kletterns.“ Dieses in Kletterkreisen geflügelte Wort von Wolfgang Güllich ist ein gutes Beispiel dafür, dass manche Sätze nicht nur wahrhaft ikonisch sind und das Lebensgefühl des Klettersports verkörpern, sondern auch ein sinnvoller Kern hinter einer scheinbar humorigen Aussage steckt.
Dies ist auch bei den folgenden Zitaten aus Kletter- und Bergsport meistens der Fall. Weil sie für ein englisches Buch* zusammengestellt wurden, geben wir sie hier im Englischen wieder. Übersetzungsvorschläge, Repliken und weitere ikonische Aussprüche übers Klettern könnt Ihr gern unterhalb ins Kommentarfeld reinpacken.
*„The Quotable Climber – Literary, Humourous, Inspirational, and Fearful Moments in Climbing“
edited by Jonathan Waterman, Lyons Press (Falcon), ISBN 1-55821-718-5
„To have a great adventure, and survive, requires good judgement. Good judgement comes from experience. Experience, of course, is the result of poor judgement.“ Geoff Tabin
„If you fall, you are dead.“ Catherine Destivelle
„You're not going to be famous unless we get down alive.“ Ed Webster, to the exhausted Stepen Venables, descending the Kangshung Face after reaching the summit without oxygen
„In the '60s, sex was safe and climbing was dangerous. Now it's the other way around.“ Chuck Pratt
„There are old climbers and there are bold climbers, but there are no old, bold climbers.“ Anonymous
„Mountain Climbing is not the only way of dealing with an over-organized, over-protective society. But it is one good way.“ Woodrow Wilson Sayre
„Climbing is not a battle with the elements, nor against the law of gravity. It's a battle against oneself.“ Walter Bonatti
„Some say that the best climbers are the ones that are alive.“„ Eric DeCamp
“The best climber in the world is the one who's having the most fun.„ Alex Lowe, the best climber in the world.
“John Wayne never wore Lycra.„ Ron Kauk, in blue jeans, commenting on the proliferation of Lycra-clad sport climbers at the Stonemasters' climbing competition at Mount Woodson in 1987. Kauk won.
“Never noticed a female monkey not climbing as well as a male, have you?„ Don Whillans, upon being asked if it was possible for a woman to be a better rock climber than a man.
“Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top - it is the willpower that is the most important. This willpower you cannot buy with money or be given by others - it rises from your heart.„ Junko Tabei, after becoming the first woman to climb Everest in 1975.
“We want clean expeditions more than we want clean-up expeditions.„ - Mr. Shresta, Nepalese Ministry of Tourism
“I'm not sensitive about my accidents, I'm sensitive about being a bad or foolish climber. Apart from the avalanche, and the ice climbing thing – those were my fault – the others were not my fault.„ Joe Simpson, master of accident epics.
“We wouldn't have so many badly bolted routes up at the pass if people weren't so motivated by their egos.„ David Hale, at an Aspen meeting about climbing ethics.
“If it weren't for egos, some of the greatest accomplishments in climbing would never have happened.„ Michael Kennedy, responding to Hale's comment.
“Rembember not to have a fatal accident, because the community will think climbing is a dangerous thing, your friends will be bummed... and you'll be dead.„ Kitty Calhoun, closing remarks at an American Alpine Club lecture.
