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Chockstone Forum - Accidents & Injuries

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Topic Date User

Accident at Arapiles: November 9th 24-Nov-2010 At 12:47:43 PM shiltz

Message

Easy routes are frequently more dangerous that hard routes in my opinion. Most commonly because there are more ledges to hit than on the typically steeper and more sustained hard routes. Also, a much higher proportion of routes in the 25+ range are bolted, particularly at Araps and around the Gramps.
Personally, I wear a helmet where I think there is a risk of rockfall due to poor quality rock or where there are lots of other people moving around the crag. The rest of the time I tend to wear a hat or beanie depending on the season.
I wouldn't ever criticize someone else for choosing to wear or not wear a helmet. I would encourage any beginner to get one and wear it. I know how many mistakes I made in my early years climbing, and I know I'm not the only one.

As an aside: apart from protecting you from rockfall modern helmets can protect your head during a fall. The chance of getting any benefit in an 8m+ ground fall seems unlikely but a helmet could make all the difference in a shorter fall. With this in mind - has anyone ever witnessed someone bouldering in a helmet?