but i seem to recall kakashi opening a gate when he was training to fight zabuza i think. anyone else remember this? he was climbing that rock wall with one hand and then he opened the first gate to make it to the top..

Umm.. I believe you are being silly because 1.) Kakashi never climbed any rock wall during that whole Zubaza & Haku part (I don't think there was a rock wall around at all during those eps..) and 2.) He didn't open any gates to finish climbing... he just pushed himself real hard... u kno.. like when you ::insert toilet humor::