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General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

Proficiency of beginners 24-Sep-2003 At 5:20:57 PM V

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My 2c worth...

Having been involved in a uni climbing club for a number of years, I believe that there is a need for each club or organisation to ensure that its members are climbing safely when engaged in club activities. On the climbing trips I've organised I make sure everyone wears a helmet, and that only people who have met a certain standard of proficiency -- not climbing ability so much as knowing how to do it safely -- are allowed to set anchors or lead.

I see this as being necessary to protect our members from certain "elements" within the club -- see my posting on the "how did you first get into climbing" thread from a few months ago for an example of this -- and also to protect the reputation of the club, and myself as one of the organisers. And I would advise the leadership of other organisations to adopt a similar stance if they care about their members, their equipment, their club, and themselves.

However, what people do when they're not on club climbing trips is up to them. I'll offer people a warning if they're doing something I consider dangerous, because I'm a guy who cares about people's safety, but at the end of the day I won't try and impinge on someone's personal right to put themselves in mortal danger. It's a free country, right!?! And these people are all rational adults who are entitled to make their own choices. (But not on my watch!)