How unsafe is climbing?

[dustonian]

I think strict regulation if not outright bans are the way of the future.

It won't be long folks. Get your climbing in while you still can.

[caribe]

Shamis and ynot already hit on this, but I think it is spot on. When I started climbing, it was pretty typical to go out and climb with someone with many years of experience and learn from them, and do this for a long time before striking out on your own.

Some people can learn with a few sessions and some good books - some can start out leading. Some just remain people who someone else has to "take out climbing" instead of people who go out climbing or people anyone would / should go out and climb with despite the amount of time they spend being climbing-educated. I don't think the emphasis should be placed on the length of time. The emphasis should be place on the degree of responsibility this person feels and the level of attention this person gives in addition to the time spent learning the ropes.

[kato]

Some people can learn with a few sessions and some good books - some can start out leading.

Not sure I agree with this part of your statement, but I can tell you one thing- everyone on here that reads it is thinking, "Oh- like me!"

[caribe]

Some people can learn with a few sessions and some good books - some can start out leading.

Not sure I agree with this part of your statement, but I can tell you one thing- everyone on here that reads it is thinking, "Oh- like me!"

Largely, I agree with you, but what I wanted to say is that time is not the only factor. Timing, might be more important. The big question might be: is the individual ready for step 5?

[kato]

I hear you. There are definitely other factors. It's just that the thing I notice most is people who go on a few trips with someone experienced, then go out on their own and get in over their heads. It's been on my mind lately for this reason... There was a guy I used to climb with alot- he was a fantastic belayer, I trusted him completely. But for most of the time we climbed together, he did not lead. I would try to encourage him without pushing and eventually he led a couple routes. I felt like he was on his way to being a strong leader, but then he started taking out some guys who had never climbed before on his own. I worried about him a bit, he just didn't have much lead time under his belt, but who am I to tell him what to do? Well, a couple trips in he took a nasty lead fall and long-story-short, quit climbing. I don't really know the circumstances, maybe there was something else I should have taught him, maybe it was unavoidable. But there's some sort of responsibility implied when you start climbing with someone and teaching them what you know. But you can't control when they decide to strike out on their own. Then if something bad happens, I feel a bit responsible. After seeing this happen a couple times it makes me hesitant to take on a new partner.

[pigsteak]

kato, start using chalk..that'll make you legit.

[kato]

First two chalk bags I ever bought were stolen. After that I gave up. But notice, it does not say I don't use chalk, it just says I don't have a chalk bag.

[LK Day]

Proud that all my days in the Red were strictly illegitimate.

[tbwilsonky]

I think strict regulation if not outright bans are the way of the future.

It won't be long folks. Get your climbing in while you still can.

it is a valid concern, but taking a look at the front page of any newspaper suggests there are plenty of other (more nefarious) things to regulate. plus it seems an attempt to ban climbing would generate enough support from all the 'danger' sport constituencies/industries (snow sports, surf, skating, motocross, mountain biking, etc.) to render it politically absurd. add to that the private property issues in the gorge and what you have is a potential Supreme Court case.

barring some sort of wild escalation in deaths/injuries, an attempt to ban climbing is probably not going to happen.

probably.

[toad857]

an attempt to ban climbing is probably not going to happen.

probably.

private land is a whole different matter. it can, and does, happen often.