If everyone just lowered off sport climbs, and stopped all this hand-wringing about whether to rap or lower, these accidents would never occur.

i believe that when you cant see or hear your belayer clearly rapping or walking off is the sensible option ... but with clear line of sight or hearing ... lowering is just fine IMO ...

you don't climb with anyone that can't or doesn't want to do the route you are doing? i find that hard to imagine.

it isn't a stereotype. it's a simple fact that cleaning overhanging routes is done by lowering off.. no question about it.

but thank you for playing your "i'm so fucking rad i'm a trad climber" card. *Plonk*