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General Climbing Discussion

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THE OFFICIAL STOKED THREAD! 1-Dec-2009 At 11:42:21 AM IdratherbeclimbingM9

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Hmm. bl@ke has touched on some deeper issues recently on this thread.

This is the top of the climb in question.

On 30/11/2009 bl@ke wrote:
>I wouldnt see it as a pointless solo either.

I did not see the post/s the above quote came from due the context has since been deleted..., however coupled with;
On 30/11/2009 bl@ke wrote:
>i understand all the risks with soloing and all that stuff but i intend on taking a rope and gear so i can then belay Ma up. I dont plan on becoming the next Dan Osman i just think this neat little route that would be a fun little solo. And i say gear like a few nuts and a couple of bolt plates. I dont see soloing this climb as something a have to give lots of respect to, it still needs a degree of respect but i think i need to face it with some confidence. Thanks for the concern but i regret mentioning the stupid idea now. Ill let you know how it goes....

I have the following comments.

It is sage advice given by others above.

All solo demands geat respect by the doer of the deed.
If it is high enough to fall off then it is high enough to hurt yourself or die, no matter how 'easy' it is considered to be.
The older I get, ... the more I respect the 'easy stuff', as I have heard of too many accidents happening on such ground and have had a number of close calls myself.
As an aside, I also know of deaths and severe injuries suffered by home-handy-persons falling off step ladders etc!

The climb in question is relatively easy, and I personally regard the start of it as the most likely place to suffer injury, due to being a little bit techy-style of slabbing, with a potential bad landing. This is the case regardless of whether one is roped up or free soloing till the first bolt is reached ...

The points others make about soloing with gear on are interesting.
As a fairly regular practitioner of 'back-roped soloing' (the middle ground between free-solo and climbing with a partner), I tend to think differently, but do see the point about commitment to task and the potential for gear to interfere with that rather than help.

It is true that this climb is easily protected with minimal gear, but if doing it with gear, then my advice is to do it well in that style. Minimalist gear sometimes has a place in climbing, but if the purpose is to have fun, then doing it safely should be a high priority. It is not the amount of gear so much as the mindset that it is used with. Equally bad is reliance on gear that may not be optimal in their placement/s.

Soloing is a selfish activity. The reasons for doing it are personal.
It is best to clearly identify these things and the motives for it, that way the effect on others is hopefully considered before the act. Soloing in the presence of loved ones is definitely blurring the line and is inconsiderate of them in my opinion; … unless discussed beforehand with them and they agree (willingly), to it.

Climbing is pointless and soloing more so*(!) in the greater scheme of things. Understanding the risks is a different game when one is a teenager compared to when one is an old fart due to different life perspectives!
I am not saying don't do it, but I am saying to consider the rewards vs the risks and try not to involve others, unless they feel their own need to be involved for whatever reason…

(*It is an interesting mind game, but the same feelings can be achieved to an extent while on a roped-lead, so one does not need to 'needlessly' pursue solo for its own sake).
☺