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Tito Traversa Killed in a Fall 22-May-2018 At 8:36:50 AM Estey

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On 21-May-2018 One Day Hero wrote:

>What's the appropriate level? What percentage of young climbing kids are
>you willing to see maimed or killed?......cause that is what risk means.

Sorry mate I haven't got a quantitative kids climbing risk analysis app so I can't give you an definitive answer on what is appropriate. For me personally I rely on intuition which is hopefully based on experience. Risk is a function of consequence and likelihood. I reckon with good management you can reduce the likelihood of catastrophe enough.

In the case of younger children I'm actually way more worried about them at the crag when they aren't roped up and climbing. Younger children are unpredictable and lack self control. An easy looking gully with death blocks can be quite attractive to them.

As for the percentage of kids maimed or killed ... that is out of my control ... all I can do is hope and pray it doesn't happen.

>I have a feeling they're not talking about proximity flying type risk
>though. You want kids to be able to step over the line occasionally and
>not have lifelong injuries as a result. Climbing is a shitty teacher. People
>tend to go years or decades with zero consequences, then five seconds of
>inattention leads to a permanent limp.

Not that much different than having a backyard pool with toddlers in the house.

I believe that kids who grow up bushwalking, climbing, skiing, paddling, canyoning, surfing, fishing, sailing etc are going to end up being way safer in the mountains and on the ocean when they are adults. I'm not sure exactly why this is. Maybe if you start young you better develop that sixth sense that warns you when something is about to go wrong. Maybe starting young allows you to be comfortable in the environment and with yourself so you don't feel the need to act the d!ckhead in front of your mates.