Louisville Kind of Deep Water Soloing

Other Crags, Aid Climbing, Bouldering, etc...
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Redpoint
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Louisville Kind of Deep Water Soloing

Post by Redpoint »

Ok so I went on this kayaking trip today and when we got to our takeout I couldn't believe my eyes. The bridge we were at had these square panels attached to it that had fake rock protrusions all over it. The panels must have been sprayed with concrete or something similar, because they felt like limestone. There was everything from pinches, slopers, sidepulls, and jugs. There was a column next to the panels where you could even practice your laybacks. The water was 3 feet deep with a sandy bottom, and I figured if you fell it might even be safer than a bouldering pad as long as you don't pencil in.

The question is this: Do you think it's illegal to climb a bridge like that?

I know where I used to live, we started a fad of jumping off this one bridge in to the Patuxent River in Crofton Maryland, and the next thing you know the whole town was doing it. Well after the cops got wind of it they started posting up and telling people it was illegal, and I'm not sure if anyone ever did get a fine for it.

What would the charge be anyways? I imagine reckless endangerment.-'
"It is difficult to estimate the potential damage of solvents; therefore the middle of the rope should never be marked with a felt-tip pen or similar. Although a danger might be improbable, it should never be ignored." Mammut
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DriskellHR
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Post by DriskellHR »

so where were you??? what bridge..... do tell!!
"....... Be sure to linger......." Mike Tucker
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cliftongifford
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Post by cliftongifford »

I've got a climbing magazine that actually has directions to several bridges in the midwest where people have glued holds to the concrete to create their own cragging areas... sounds ok to me.
Jay
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Post by Jay »

I don't understand.

I think you'll have to find some extensive reading about it in a book somewhere, then feed it back to us verbatim. :twisted:
"Always carry a large flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake." -W.C. Fields
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ahab
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Re: Louisville Kind of Deep Water Soloing

Post by ahab »

Redpoint wrote:The water was 3 feet deep with a sandy bottom, and I figured if you fell it might even be safer than a bouldering pad as long as you don't pencil in.
huh?
buy the Ticket take the Ride
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bcombs
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Re: Louisville Kind of Deep Water Soloing

Post by bcombs »

ahab wrote:
Redpoint wrote:The water was 3 feet deep with a sandy bottom, and I figured if you fell it might even be safer than a bouldering pad as long as you don't pencil in.
huh?
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Barnacle Ben
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Re: Louisville Kind of Deep Water Soloing

Post by Barnacle Ben »

bcombs wrote:
ahab wrote:
Redpoint wrote:The water was 3 feet deep with a sandy bottom, and I figured if you fell it might even be safer than a bouldering pad as long as you don't pencil in.
huh?
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Brilliant.
"But the motto was, never think you're that cool - you're still just climbing rocks...in the woods...with bugs...and everyone thinks you're crazy."

- Dave Graham
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Redpoint
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Post by Redpoint »

Ya it does sound pretty wreckless doesn't it. You don't know what "penciling in" is Ahab? It means to fall in the water perfectly strait up and down, imagine dropping a pencil in to the water.

My plan to check on safety was to climb up 5 feet and fall on my back, and then climb 10 feet and fall on my back, and then 15 feet and so on. I would definitely want someone watching over me during this test in case I got hurt and started floating down the creek though.

I never did take a fall on it yesterday, but I only climbed up as high as a boulder problem, and I figured if I fell on my back from that high up in to 3 feet of water it would probably be just as effective as a bouldering pad anyhow. I mean I have jumped in to the shallow end of a pool back first to know 3 feet of water still has some pretty good cushion as long as you don't pencil in.


I would have liked to go back there today since the level would be at about 5 feet today, but I got to get ready to run Elkhorn Creek.

Sorry, the bridge is a secret until I can find out if it's legal or not, I don't want to loose my kayaking access because of some climber getting in trouble for climbing there and then the next thing you know they are towing cars from the parking spot.
"It is difficult to estimate the potential damage of solvents; therefore the middle of the rope should never be marked with a felt-tip pen or similar. Although a danger might be improbable, it should never be ignored." Mammut
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DriskellHR
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Post by DriskellHR »

well then you officially suck redpoint :evil:

big meany
"....... Be sure to linger......." Mike Tucker
powen01
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Post by powen01 »

Redpoint wrote: My plan to check on safety was to climb up 5 feet and fall on my back, and then climb 10 feet and fall on my back, and then 15 feet and so on. I would definitely want someone watching over me during this test in case I got hurt and started floating down the creek though.
I volunteer to watch you fall.
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