Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - Accidents & Injuries

Report Accidents and Injuries

Topic Date User

Accident at Mt Buffalo 14-Jul-2015 At 12:21:26 PM patto

Message

On 14/07/2015 Superstu wrote:
>One of mumc's strengths was the layering of generations passing through
>the club. Graduates often hung around a few years as their peers did likewise
>and it was a productive blend of old and new. Things got creepy when some
>folk seem to hang around for ever but who knows what floats their boat.
>
>There were always a few injuries and close calls along the way, but this
>is not limited to the clubs. I see dodgy things done every day at the crags
>and the outdoors generally. But uni clubs like mumc will always be fodder
>for reptile journalism while the education system in this country remains
>one of the key drivers of inequity in our society.
>
>Perhaps during mumc's navel gazing they consider returning to their roots
>and re-embracing values of adventure, exploration and independent nature-based
>recreation, and less focus on the technical sports from day one. Being
>able to head out for a four day walk somewhere remote, rugged and poorly
>mapped, with nothing more than a backpack and a few good friends, and learning
>to plan, look after yourself, manage the group dynamics, deal with the
>unexpected, and come back with awesome photos of wilderness and good vibes
>is a life skill that prepares you well for playing the games of climbing
>big cold mountains or long remote climbs.

MUMC's roots have rock climbing firmly embedded in them from year one over 70 years ago. There were groups from MUMC that were putting up routes on some of Australia's remote climbing mountains well before the 'birth' of Arapiles climbing in the 60s. To put it bluntly, the roots of MUMC are much more adventurous (and risky) than the standard Arapiles, Gramps and Buffalo cragging that is done these days.

Anyway that's all from me and my crusade to try to correct inaccuracies posted here. MUMC has some tough months ahead following these unfortunate circumstances. A bit of bad mouthing on chockstone is hardly a concern. (Unless it leads to inaccurate reporting.) This isn't the first time nor will it be the last time that serious incidents strikes climbing clubs. It was only last year that a non-uni club suffered a tragedy of the worst form.

Oh and one more thing we shouldn't forget that two people have been seriously injured in these accidents. That is a tragedy for all those involved and that cannot be ignored. Some sensitivity in discussion is a good thing. Thankfully the man who involved in the buffalo incident is nearing a full recovery. I don't have reliable information on the woman's injuries but I believe that her recovery is going to be an ongoing affair. This has been traumatic for many involved.