quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
He claimed Gobright slipped off the end of his side of the rope after failing to tie life-saving stopper knots in it – which would have been a guide to how much he had left to rappel down.

I was tree-climbing for a short while. Tree-climbing wasn't the goal, but the means to an end. I wanted to be able to ascend the 40' mast of our sailboat--unaided, if necessary. Researched the options and decided tree-climbing gear and methods would be the best. (Tree-climbing saddles are much more comfortable than rock-climbing saddles for long hang times, which is essential if you are going to do work on the mast. And, unlike a bosun's chair, a tree-climbing saddle will keep you in the saddle if you invert.)

One thing you're taught to do when tree-climbing on rope is to tie stopper knots every few feet on the way up. That way if whatever you're using to ascend/descend (special "one-way" knots or devices called "ascenders") fails to hold, a stopper knot will halt your unplanned rapid descent.

I was horrified when I discovered I'd neglected to follow that safety precaution a couple times when starting out. It needs to become habit and you need to do it every single time. Gravity and the ground are unforgiving.

(I never did climb our boat's mast. We sold her the spring after I embarked on the project. Still have the gear. I should sell it. I never was really interested in climbing trees and I don't think my knees can handle it, any more, anyway.)

Two major climb accidents this week, resulting in one death and some close calls.
For a sport that is driven my methodical processes, complacency and carelessness are its evils.
Its too bad about Gobright, one of the more talented players in that area long enough, the odds are not in your favor.

Every time I read about some climber falling, I am reminded of the opening scene from Vertical Limit.
There is zero chance I will ever try this.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Wingsuit, climbing, skydiving, cave diving, whatever, stupidity is very unforgiving.

H&K-Guy

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

They slip off the rock. During their plummet, God appears before them and says "I'll give you a second chance, but you have to promise to stop doing this ridiculous stuff."

Each and every one of them would agree. You know it's true.

Sure, and a week later that same person is trying to figure out a loophole in that "agreement" so they can do that "stupid shit" again. That is 100% true.....also.

There is no way I can explain to anyone after being maybe 3 seconds from blacking out and dying in 210' of water, why 2 weeks later I was on the same wreck, doing the same dive......except maybe its just.....

Complacency will kill you. Rapping has always been one of the more dangerous parts of climbing.

Sounds like they didn't tie a safety knot at the end of the rope. Without a knot, if you misjudge how for the rope reaches(often you can't see the bottom because of ledges and such) it will slide right through your belay device. With a knot, the rope will not slide through your belay device.

Alex Hannold was injured in a similar way. His GF was belaying him back down a climb, the rope wasn't long enough for the belay and no knot was tided and he fell when the rope slide through Sanni hands.

quote:

Originally posted by Southflorida-law:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

They slip off the rock. During their plummet, God appears before them and says "I'll give you a second chance, but you have to promise to stop doing this ridiculous stuff."

Each and every one of them would agree. You know it's true.

Sure, and a week later that same person is trying to figure out a loophole in that "agreement" so they can do that "stupid shit" again. That is 100% true.....also.

Let's see, a thrill seeker makes a deal with an all seeing, all powerful being to save their life and a week later they're trying to get out of the deal? Me thinks you need to rethink your position because any semi rational person would be done with their thrill seeking for life given the deal they just made and who they made it with. You probably did not see God in your close call, and you definitely did not make a deal with Him. That I can say with 100% confidence.

Just ignore it. SFL just has to say something in every one of these threads. He has to justify his own reckless behavior.

I can’t help wondering if some “thrill-seeking” behavior is an addiction. It would not surprise me to learn that some part of the population are “adrenaline junkies” and start to have withdrawals if they go too long without doing something that most would consider crazy.

A part of me looks at that behavior and thinks of the quote someone said here that went something like, “You aren’t truly free if you aren’t free to end it on your own terms.”

That said, while I am a big believer in Freedom, I wouldn’t be looking to emulate or celebrate the choices some of these folks make. I’d just acknowledge their freedom and move on.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
I can’t help wondering if some “thrill-seeking” behavior is an addiction.

I don't know about that, but I can tell you that stupidity is epidemic.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
I can’t help wondering if some “thrill-seeking” behavior is an addiction.

I don't know about that, but I can tell you that stupidity is epidemic.

Sad, but very true.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
I was almost killed in a climbing accident whenI was 16. The guy next to me was killed, I watched him fall to his death. Some of you making jokes of this are might light of a difficult experience.

When someone dies doing an unnecessary, voluntary and recreational stunt.... is that person now some sort of saint who can't be criticized?

I've witnessed injury and death at work. Those were accidents as well, but no one romanticizes it. I don't recall people making jokes, but that doesn't mean no one did.

Getting killed doing a dangerous recreational activity, should not exclude one from mockery or other criticisms.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder:

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
I was almost killed in a climbing accident whenI was 16. The guy next to me was killed, I watched him fall to his death. Some of you making jokes of this are might light of a difficult experience.

When someone dies doing an unnecessary, voluntary and recreational stunt.... is that person now some sort of saint who can't be criticized?

I've witnessed injury and death at work. Those were accidents as well, but no one romanticizes it. I don't recall people making jokes, but that doesn't mean no one did.

Getting killed doing a dangerous recreational activity, should not exclude one from mockery or other criticisms.

Couldn't have said it any better.

Thrill seekers die doing un-required activities? I don't give a damn. Yes, bye. Shed no tears.
Those who die because of accidents at work? Completely different story.

quote:

You wanna know what really makes you feel not alive? Being dead, stupid.

So true.

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:

quote:

You wanna know what really makes you feel not alive? Being dead, stupid.

So true.

Ditto. I’ve read the other day (sorry, cannot find the source) that one suicide affects 25 people in average. I can’t see stuff like this and not think of it as a “suicide by thrill”. So selfish. So stupid.

Whether you believe in God or not, you have to believe that life is a precious gift (from the heavens or from higher forces, or sheer coincidence- whatever you believe in). My point is: people should not risk it for “fun”, adrenaline, or any such cheap thrill. The First Epistle to the Corinthians comes to mind; those idiots have not abandoned their childish ways.

Actually, when you think about it- those people who don't believe in an afterlife should be all the more careful about this one shot they believe they have at life, yes?

And for anyone offended by my jokes in this thread, I make no apologies. Throughout the years, when this subject comes up in this forum, I have been entirely consistent in my POV. I think losing your life for EXTREEEEEEEEEME sports is the apex of foolishness. I have contempt for people who will simply throw away their life for this kind of selfish nonsense and I've never felt the need to conceal it. People say "Well, it was their choice and privilege to yadda yadda." Yep, sure was, and it's my choice and privilege to call these people dumbasses.

And then the danger to the rescue/removal personnel. Nobody seems to think of them or the risks they take in the performance of their duties.

Been there in canyon rescues as a result of MVA's. No fun hiking up with a patient in a Stokes basket.

They love screaming all the way to the impact.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
They love screaming all the way to the impact.

Oh yeah, like this guy did.

You can bet the house that while screaming and falling 100 feet to their death, that they're wishing they can take it back.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Patrick-SP2022:
Every time I read about some climber falling, I am reminded of the opening scene from Vertical Limit.
There is zero chance I will ever try this.
[/FLASH_VIDEO][/QUOTE] -- I always think about this one: [FLASH_VIDEO]