Toni and the rest of us spoke about the progression of the sport, about how physical limits of the human body are being pushed and extended everyday. At this point in rock climbing, each new year could mean a whole new dimension of possibilities. The grade 5.10 was once a landmark and now 5.14 is nearly average for the seasoned climber. We spoke of these grades, what they meant and how they effect one's motivation and drive to climb hard. But what Toni eventually made us all remember was that these systems of measurement come dangerously close to suffocating the inherent purity of climbing; that even though grades will perpetually change with time the most basic component, the genuine love of the sport, will not. After all of our quibbling and misunderstandings over the past few weeks, we eventually learned that Toni had no real problem with us, merely a desire to find someone who would listen and understand. He reminded us that climbing is not about the pressure and confinement of a grading system. It's not about winning and gaining an elite position over other climbers. Instead, he reminded us that climbing is about traveling and meeting new people unified under a common interest, learning about the depths of oneself and using that insight to push through personal limitations. Climbing is all about what you want it to be since years from now no one is going to care whether or not you won the 2007 World Cup or sent Papas Fritas 5.16c.

We all kept drinking, discussing what all climbers have been over many times before. After all the idealistic, zen-buddhism, brave and honerous sweet talk about how "climbing is the soul's canvas to the spiritual world" crap was over, we were back where we had started.

It's all about the grades baby! Or is it?