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Memorials / Plaques 9-Nov-2006 At 9:37:47 PM GTempest

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On 9/11/2006 Eduardo Slabofvic wrote:
>I recall another route in Italy where there were three lines of plaques,
>with two spces left over at the end
>on the bottom row. They were still empty after I did the route, but........

Interesting. I remember doing a route on the Tri Cima in the Italian Dolomites and before we set off we counted a dozen or so plaques bolted to the foot of the descent gully (presumably one for each climber who had died on the way down). Later that day we rappelled the gully in a nasty snowstorm and unfortunately discovered a climber’s body on a ledge. We soon learned that during the climbing season there are two vehicles on standby at the carpark. One is an ice cream vendor and the other an ambulance that ferries broken bodies to the nearby hospital. Both did a roaring trade. Which brings me to my point. At what point do people finally decide that there are too many plaques bolted to the foot of climbs (or on climbs!). It seems to me that the vast majority of climbers would never want to see a plaque dedicated to themselves placed on the rock for all to see. I'm pretty sure it is something non-climbing family and friends would perceive as the "right thing to do". It isn’t. I feel strongly that plaques have no place on the cliff. I don’t even like the one on the Plaque Area! If there is a need for remembrance then a memorial should be built (perhaps near the Pines – in the Fairy Circle or whatever) so that plaques can be affixed when required by grieving family and friends. Just don’t ever leave one for me. Glenn.