May 2, 2007, 3:51 AM
Post #3 of 11
(1571 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 11, 2006
Posts: 1935
Re: [8flood8] Ultralight hiking vs. Climbing .... which is more dangerous?
[In reply to]
Report this Post
Average:
(0 ratings)
Can't Post
I thinking driving to work or eating red meat is more likely to kill you than either.
If I had to pick from the choices, I'd say climbing probably carries a higher fatality percentage, though I have no basis for that beyond my own guessing.
And if I were to offer some wisdom, I'd point out that no activity is more dangerous than arguing with your wife
May 2, 2007, 4:02 AM
Post #5 of 11
(1538 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Posts: 8599
Re: [8flood8] Ultralight hiking vs. Climbing .... which is more dangerous?
[In reply to]
Report this Post
Average:
(0 ratings)
Can't Post
8flood8 wrote:
My wife is afraid of my upcoming trip to yosemite.
So we were having a debate... about which is more dangerous... her favorite sport (besides climbing) is ultralight long distance hiking...
so i said... it wouldn t be fair of me to not allow you to go hiking because im afraid you might get eaten by a bear...
Well, the typical ultralight hiker probably has his or her skills pretty well honed, which cuts the fatality rate considerably. Climbing is the same way, there's just more n00bs. If you've been climbing for a while, your chances of dieing whilst climbing go down considerably.
The other kicker is that fear, in small quantities, really focuses you into the task at hand. So if you're a little bit scared, you're less likely to make mistakes.
We think of hiking, even ultralight hiking, as pretty free of objective hazards, but the comparative wealth of objective hazards in climbing is offset by the fact that our situation demands our absolute attention at all times. Hiking does not often do that.
(This post was edited by petsfed on May 2, 2007, 4:05 AM)
May 2, 2007, 4:09 AM
Post #6 of 11
(1527 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 16, 2001
Posts: 2561
Re: [8flood8] Ultralight hiking vs. Climbing .... which is more dangerous?
[In reply to]
Report this Post
Average:
(0 ratings)
Can't Post
Climbing in general also includes alpine, ice, mountaineering, can even throw scrambles into the mix. With this in mind I would say that climbing is way more dangerous. I just don't see how backpacking is dangerous if you are prepared for the conditions. Personally I have never felt at risk while backpacking, it's only walking, but with more weight.
To compare crag climbing with remote hiking is also different. The more remote you are the more self reliant you are. Still not sure that dangerous would be a good way to describe it though Bears really are not that bad. They normally run away.
2 /
20%
Bears really are not that bad. They normally run away.
