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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Poll Option

Votes

Graph

I require a belay to leave flat ground

Dont solo 'routes' but do unroped access scrambles

42%

I solo established routes graded 5 or less

I solo established routes graded 10 or less

I solo to within 10 grades of my roped limit

15%

I solo to within 7 grades of my roped limit

19%

I solo to within 4 grades of my roped limit

I solo at or near my roped limit

Topic Date User

Soloing 11-Aug-2005 At 1:05:55 PM shmalec

Message

I have a friend who broke both ankles in an unexpected fall when his feet clipped a very small ledge on the way down. If he had pushed off a bit it would not have happened. Lesson is that sometimes you are better off committing to the fall rather than just peeling off.

I think the exposure counts for alot too. Most downclimb descents are descents usually because they have limited exposure even though they may be grade 8, 12 etc. If they were the same grade but very airy and sustained its a different thing.

The options listed show the grade which implies the risk of coming off, but not the potential cost of a fall which is just as important.

edit: I think Lynn Hill summed it up pretty well..."Little to gain and everything to lose".