Subcultural Production, Reproduction and Transformation in Climbing

Abstract

In the first part, the paper examines the constitution of climbing as a play-like activity with respect to the physical environment, hazard and jeopardy, and the social construction of a standard of jeopardy sufficient for different environments. Second, the social production of the activity prior to 1865 is considered in terms of completing an ascent, and the production of the activity as a sport after 1865 in terms of completing an ascent the hard way. Third, the social reality of climbing is discussed as being reproduced with a shared framework of concepts and experience. Fourth, social transformation within the subculture of climbing is considered in terms of raising doubt, negotiating the standard of jeopardy, and the practice of individualism as limited by social constraints.