A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

A Rock Climber’s Tattoo

This tattoo (on a rock climber) was done by Tone Wellbrook at Flesh Factory in Bozeman, MT — which reminds me, this site — Animated Knots by Grog — is a great resource for teaching yourself a wide variety of rigging, be it for climbing or be it for suspension.

Comments

18 responses to “A Rock Climber’s Tattoo”

  1. toast Avatar

    Knots have so many more uses than climbing & suspending 😉

    All perving aside though, EVERYONE oughtta learn to tie half a dozen knots, or else deserves to have all their posessions fall off their SUV’s roof rack next time they move house. OK that’s a little harsh. Just a bit of a slap, then.

  2. TheWomanMonster Avatar
    TheWomanMonster

    I know that knot,
    tie it right and it saves your ass from a 200ft fall.
    Great tattoo!

    and I’ll agree with toast, everyone needs to know how to tie more knots!

  3. REED Avatar
    REED

    Thats is awesome.. really nice looking tat, and very unique..

  4. REED Avatar
    REED

    Yeah that’d be the good old figure eight knot..
    I used to do a bit of climbing back in the day.. Best fitness ever.

  5. pankyluckyguy Avatar
    pankyluckyguy

    i’m really digging the last pics…it’s so nice to visit the modblog and find that there are like 10 new cool entries…really nice job…n_n

  6. Louie Avatar

    to 5.: i entirely agree! i love being able to sign on to modblog several times a day and always find a glorious update
    shannon, you are for sure the man 🙂

  7. Anselm Avatar

    Ah, yes, the figure-8 follow-through. But where’s the stopper knot? 😉

    And I’m with Pankyluckyguy sna Louie.

  8. stormy Avatar

    Wow, really great tattoo. Nice detail

  9. TheWomanMonster Avatar
    TheWomanMonster

    shit I miss climbing,
    and this tattoo makes me want to go even worse.

    guess I should get with it, I live all of 30 minutes from one of the best climbing areas in Canada.

  10. Pearly Avatar

    I wanna jump on his back and cling and swing and perhaps, climb. I hope he has young children..

  11. LeavethePoliticsToMadmen Avatar
    LeavethePoliticsToMadmen

    His whole back looks really red.. i wonder if he had this done over a mild sunburn? Obviously if he’s a climber he’s outside alot, so I dunno. I know the edges of the tattoo are red since its fresh.. but his entire back looks the same color, unless its the shade or whatever..

  12. possessed Avatar

    I like this a lot! It obviously means a lot to him, and the tattoo is really well executed as well.

  13. BlueStar Avatar

    When I first saw that, I thought “suspension”, but thats because I’m a junkie.
    Either use of the equipment, its still a well done tattoo. Rock climbing is fun too!

  14. Hanargh Avatar

    Really great job, it looks wonderful.

  15. Stigofen Avatar
    Stigofen

    Fantastic. i’m looking for ideas for climbing tattoo as i’ve just got into it, never thought of ropes, bena’s or knots. Cool – don’t worry – won’t copy and i’m too much of a wuss to have a big one anyway.
    Cx

  16. maximus Avatar
    maximus

    thank you so much for doing this. i’ve been racking my brain trying to find a good idea for a climbing tattoo and i never thought to use equipment!

  17. Ritchie Avatar

    ouch*

    yet… artsy!

  18. Scout Avatar
    Scout

    This is the best one I have seen. I go in in about 3 weeks to get a caribeaner and climbing rope heart for a close family friend who died climbing. I will certainly be bringing this picture to the artist to give him the right idea.

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