Dirtbagger

[dûrtbgər]

n. generally a person who has a history of temp jobs and prefers climbing, surfing, traveling over living a normal predictable life.

A quote from the dirtbag bible:

“He told me to focus on the moment and not on the future. It’s time you stop producing STUFF and start producing FUN. Trust your life to his or her care and pray for the strength to remove the defects of a cautious character. With trust, strength, love, a box of crackers and a bottle opener we can overcome our weaknesses. One day at a time.”

Dirtbagger of the month

Jose Cortes

 

Name: Jose Mari Cortes Jr.

Age: 26

Weight: 62 kilos

Height: 5’8

Nickname: JR

Years Climbing: 8 years

Others Sponsors: None

How did you get started climbing? School… One of my friends introduced me to wall climbing. Since, I love to climb trees when I was a kid…I easily got hooked on the sport…I started joining local climbing competitions held in our local gym in Iloilo (Tribu Rock Climbing Gym).

What was hardest send? 5.13a Chief Killer – Dingle, Iloilo

How often do you climb? Ideally…3-4 times a week

Favorite climbing areas? I enjoy climbing outdoors more than indoor…so I’d have to say Cantabaco in Cebu and Dingle in Iloilo

Do you prefer rock or plastic? Rock!!!-Definitely!

What do you think of sport climbing vs. trad climbing?

The Evolution (Sport) vs. The Beginning (Trad)…I haven’t really been exposed to trad climbing so I cannot comment so much about it…however, with respect to both practice, I think that both requires great climbing skills, endurance, focus and ability to read a route well.

Name the climber(s) who inspired you the most?

Chris Sharma (My idol), Alex Johnson (My crush), Mackie Makinano (One of my mentors) and Camille Venturina (My girlfriend!!!)

Some people say that climbing hard is about training hard. Do you agree, or is it all about the genes?

Hmmm…Both….I think that there are really gifted people who are blessed with the right genes…not just climbers but athletes in general— can benefit from belonging in a great gene pool..HOWEVER….Training hard is essential…sometimes you may be gifted with the right body proportions weight ratio blah blah…but if you don’t work hard, if you are not disciplined then your having great genes will do you no good….As the saying goes….SOME MEN SUCCEED BECAUSE THEY ARE DESTINED TO, BUT MOST MEN SUCCEED BECAUSE THEY’RE DETERMINED TO.

What was your worst climbing injury?

It’d have to be the time when I injured my Left Shoulder after I finished a 5.12 route (Super in Dingle, Iloilo. I wasn’t able to climb for more than a month…

What would you like to accomplish in the next five years?

I would like to compete more internationally…I have experienced competing in Asian competitions….so in the next 5 years I wish to be able to get the opportunity to compete with American Climbers or European Climbers…perhaps the world cup.

Describe having a relationship and trying to climb your projects?

Is this a trick question?? haha let me see…hmmm…I think that having a gf who climbs as well is a good thing because she understands the importance of climbing in my life…So if I have climbing goals or project routes my gf supports me and understands my eagerness to finish it!—if I were to compare climbing a project route with having a gf…I’d say they are the same in the sense that both are difficult tasks (hahaha) nah…what I meant to say was both have its challenges but once you succeed it gives you a certain satisfaction that is hard to explain =)

Do you think chipping routes help or hurt the sport of climbing?

If by chipping the rock means cleaning the route in order to ensure safety and improvement the quality of the route then it is ok. But if it is intentionally for variation and it tends to hurt the environment I don’t agree. In any case I think that it should be under the supervision and terms of a recognized organization in charge.

What do you think about tick (chalk) marks on the rocks in the climbing areas? Should it be cleaned up?

It depends….If in some areas like in Germany part of their culture is that they do not like using chalk when they climb for some traditional reasons then I say we respect that…but if it is alright for the people in the climbing area and there are no complaints on the having tick marks then I don’t see any problem with that…

What’s the greatest thing happen to Philippine rock climbing?

The greatest thing that happened in Philippine rock climbing is having established a great climbing community who works together in developing climbing areas in the country…I also appreciate the fact that more Filipinos prove worthy to be recognized in other countries for their climbing talent…It is also nice to see a growing number of foreign climbers who go here to climb.

What’s the worst thing happen to Philippine rock climbing?

To happen? I think the question should be what has NOT HAPPENED YET which makes Phil. Climbing bad….I believe that there is still evidently a lack of support from the Phil. Government in helping preserve climbing sites…Some government agencies even take advantage of the climbing areas which now result to accessibility issues because they require climbers to pay for something that should really be free for all.

Who is Yvon Chouinard?

A rock climber, outdoor enthusiast and the founder of Patagonia.