Just a few thoughts. I think we need to keep in mind that whenever we engage in these sports, there is always a risk. We can try and minimize them, but they do exist. The climbing example hits close to home. A couple weeks ago I peeled off while lead climbing after missing the second clip. Basic translation is that I fell and landed on my bacK. I wound up taking most of the skin off behind my knee. Luckily I was indoors at the gym and hit a padded surface or the results could have been a lot worse. Did I know the risk was there? Yes. Did I do everything to avoid falling? Yes. Of course accidents (and slippery fingers) happen and I fell at the most dangerous point of a climb. I think many of us access the risks before we head out and how we deal with the perceived risks may be different than someone else in the identical situation. I *do* think it is well within our place to offer advice/criticism when we see something we consider "bad" judgement -- "hey, it's pretty choppy and the water is cold, so maybe you want to wear more than a bikini", or "hey, that second clip is dicey, I sure wouldn't want to hang from one arm and try and stick it". We also have to accept that someone is equally within their rights to tell us to go to hell. We can then laugh when they freeze or fall on their ass. -Patrick (walking again) At 9:07 AM -0700 4/4/01, Dave Kruger wrote: >[SNIP] >Let me elaborate: My son is a high-standard free-climber, though he never >solos without rope protection, unlike Ron's example (I snipped that part). >Even so, sometimes he has to "violate" a high-angle rock-climber's guideline >for protection, in order to do a particularly aesthetic or interesting climb. >As his father (and a retired climber, albeit of a standard well below his!), I >accept his behavior. He generally uses good judgement, as I think Colin does. >But, there are times when a casual observer would question it. **For my son** >some of his high-jinks on rock are akin in risk to the risk **I** take when I >walk along a cracked sidewalk: I might trip, fall, and suffer a >life-threatening head injury. Even so, I do not wear a helmet when I walk a >cracked sidewalk. [SNIP] *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Apr 04 2001 - 09:38:59 PDT
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