I think that people REALLY need to understand the risks that are involved in climbing. I don't think that I have ever really allowed this to sink in until my accident this summer, and I hope that it doesn't take an accident to wake others up to the fact that YOUR LIFE IS TRULY IN DANGER, EVERY TIME, AND ANY TIME YOU CLIMB.

Obviously, climbing is a fun, social sport...but maybe it shouldn't be. Climbing is life and death. Would you want a heart surgeon to be chatting with his buddies or drinking a beer while he's operating on you? Then why do we accept the same behaviors in climbing?

I had 4 years of experience prior to my accident. Had I taken this sport more seriously, the accident probably would not have happened. If before stepping back to be lowered 15 feet to the base of the climb, I had thought to myself "gee, what if I'm not on belay, even though I thought I heard him say I was?", I would not have fallen onto my back and been airlifted out of Jtree to spend a night in the hospital, strapped to a backboard and neckbrace for 8 hrs, terrified that I might have done some permanent damage to my back (luckily I didn't).

Based on the seeming increase in accidents at Jtree lately, and the fact that I had an accident there just 4 months ago, brings me to write this post (rant):

First, let's establish that climbing is a dangerous sport. Everyone knows that...it's obvious that being high off the ground brings the risk of falling. Any non-climber could tell you that, even a child could tell you it's dangerous to be high from the ground.

But I think that when a person is introduced to climbing by people who are experienced, his/her experienced friends may not convey how terribly dangerous climbing really is. Experienced climbers make it seem so effortless, and seem so fearless, it gives one a false impression that what we're doing is safe.

Climbing is never safe. According to OSHA, even a 4 foot fall can be fatal...anytime you are off the ground on a climb, be it 40 feet above the last placement or reaching for the first bolt on a sport route, your life is in danger. It doesn't take much of an impact to cause brain damage.

I think that people REALLY need to understand the risks that are involved in climbing. I don't think that I have ever really allowed this to sink in until my accident this summer, and I hope that it doesn't take an accident to wake others up to the fact that YOUR LIFE IS TRULY IN DANGER, EVERY TIME, AND ANY TIME YOU CLIMB.

It's very easy to become complacent, especially after a few years under the belt with no serious accidents. Competitiveness to push one's limits can also cloud your vision, so that you forget about the danger aspect of climbing.

All it takes is one slip up, one poorly placed cam, one unbuckled harness, one unlocked biner, one mis-heard belay command, one run-out, to end it all.

If you're lucky like me, that mistake will only cost you a month off of climbing and a few hundred bucks in hospital bills. We all know the cost if you're unlucky.

Obviously, climbing is a fun, social sport...but maybe it shouldn't be. Climbing is life and death. Would you want a heart surgeon to be chatting with his buddies or drinking a beer while he's operating on you? Then why do we accept the same behaviors in climbing?

People on this site may knock bouldering for being a sport for sissies, but maybe I am a sissy. I'm a sissy for thinking that my time off from work should be spent on a relaxing day at the boulders, or at the gym boulder area, instead of on a literally life-and-death trip to go route climbing.

If you say that route climbing is not life-and-death, and that I'm overreacting, well it is life and death and you're not taking it seriously enough. There are some climbers out there, that are so sick strong and good at what they do, it would take a hurricane to knock them off of a route. These people will most likely not fall, simply because they're so damn good. However, most people are not this good, and are vulnerable to stupidity and mistakes with gear. If you think you're not vulnerable, maybe you should look through some of the accident reports on this forum...a large number of accidents happen to people that are highly experienced.

I had 4 years of experience prior to my accident. Had I taken this sport more seriously, the accident probably would not have happened. If before stepping back to be lowered 15 feet to the base of the climb, I had thought to myself "gee, what if I'm not on belay, even though I thought I heard him say I was?", I would not have fallen onto my back and been airlifted out of Jtree to spend a night in the hospital, strapped to a backboard and neckbrace for 8 hrs, terrified that I might have done some permanent damage to my back (luckily I didn't).

The cause of all the "gym climber noobs" getting hurt is not lack of experience (though experience couldn't hurt), it's lack of respect for how truly serious this sport is. The only way to change this is for people to change their attitudes--stop thinking of climbing as "just another sport" or a fun weekend activity.

(end rant)

Most new climbers don't know how ignorant they are. I was one of those over 30 years ago and have seen it often. I learned to like to climb with people consious of the risks and the efforts needed to help reduce them. I think mental capability will often overcome the risks (certainly most of them) inherent in what we do. Sadly, the mental part often doesn't get there before the accident part of the story.

...Bouldering isn´t a sport. Rock climbing is a sport, bouldering is a type of rockclimbing...