|
automated
Oct 13, 2010, 7:29 PM
Post #1 of 24
(4414 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 25, 2006
Posts: 16
|
As with this image from the RC.com photo gallery, for example?
Seems like, at a certain point, the likelihood of a spotter usefully changing the climber's trajectory without incurring real bodily harm him/herself becomes so small that spotting is no longer the proper course of action.
If this is indeed the case, at what height, hypothetically, should the spotter kick back and crack a brewski and just wait until the climber either tops out or takes a bone-bending digger?
|
|
|
|
|
Kartessa
Oct 13, 2010, 7:41 PM
Post #2 of 24
(4394 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 18, 2008
Posts: 7362
|
automated wrote: As with this image from the RC.com photo gallery, for example? [image]http://www.rockclimbing.com/images/photos/assets/0/455990-largest_steve_personal_1000.jpg[/image] Seems like, at a certain point, the likelihood of a spotter usefully changing the climber's trajectory without incurring real bodily harm him/herself becomes so small that spotting is no longer the proper course of action. If this is indeed the case, at what height, hypothetically, should the spotter kick back and crack a brewski and just wait until the climber either tops out or takes a bone-bending digger?
Its a question of an individual's comfort zone.
I know im a useless spotter once my climber is more than 15ft off the deck. Then again, sometimes having that person there, useful or not, can give you that extra little bit of comfort to send safely.
|
|
|
|
|
kachoong
Oct 13, 2010, 8:03 PM
Post #3 of 24
(4372 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: 15304
|
Sometimes during highballs the spotters will become mat holders... they hold a mat off the ground above another mat so when the climber falls they hit it on their way past... to provide some deceleration.
|
|
|
|
|
reaeper
Oct 13, 2010, 8:10 PM
Post #4 of 24
(4359 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 9, 2010
Posts: 25
|
automated wrote: As with this image from the RC.com photo gallery, for example? [image]http://www.rockclimbing.com/images/photos/assets/0/455990-largest_steve_personal_1000.jpg[/image] Seems like, at a certain point, the likelihood of a spotter usefully changing the climber's trajectory without incurring real bodily harm him/herself becomes so small that spotting is no longer the proper course of action. If this is indeed the case, at what height, hypothetically, should the spotter kick back and crack a brewski and just wait until the climber either tops out or takes a bone-bending digger?
Heh, I'm guessing you saw the comment I made on that picture yesterday?
(This post was edited by reaeper on Oct 13, 2010, 10:27 PM)
|
|
|
|
|
sdbum
Oct 13, 2010, 8:31 PM
Post #5 of 24
(4323 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 5, 2006
Posts: 30
|
the higher the climber goes your job as a spotter becomes less make sure the climber lands on there feet and turns into make sure the climbers head does not hit the ground first.
|
|
|
|
|
surfer9joe
Oct 13, 2010, 8:54 PM
Post #6 of 24
(4294 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 26, 2009
Posts: 76
|
when they only use one hand?
|
|
|
|
|
hafilax
Oct 13, 2010, 9:04 PM
Post #7 of 24
(4284 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 12, 2007
Posts: 3025
|
When the spotter goes from
"I gotcha man, go for it!"
to
"You're on your own dude."
|
|
|
|
|
mattmaxwell
Oct 13, 2010, 9:33 PM
Post #8 of 24
(4256 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 16, 2008
Posts: 23
|
when a svelte, skimpily clad chic is climbing nearby
|
|
|
|
|
Express
Oct 13, 2010, 11:55 PM
Post #9 of 24
(4192 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 15, 2010
Posts: 64
|
You realize they're useless when you take a 10 ft fall while bouldering and land on hard ground, 2 seconds after they say "I've got you bro" but fail to move the mondo the 12 inches that could have saved your ankle and heel.
|
|
|
|
|
kachoong
Oct 14, 2010, 12:08 AM
Post #10 of 24
(4183 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: 15304
|
It's been verified that it also depends on which dog breed your spotter is.
|
|
|
|
|
socalclimber
Oct 14, 2010, 12:32 AM
Post #11 of 24
(4162 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 27, 2001
Posts: 2437
|
When you have to rely on one...
|
|
|
|
|
skiclimb
Oct 14, 2010, 3:51 AM
Post #12 of 24
(4101 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 11, 2004
Posts: 1938
|
Only when there is something softer to land on.
|
|
|
|
|
spikeddem
Oct 14, 2010, 4:17 AM
Post #13 of 24
(4081 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 27, 2007
Posts: 6319
|
If you have to ask, find someone else to make the decision.
|
|
|
|
|
climbingaggie03
Oct 14, 2010, 5:08 AM
Post #14 of 24
(4061 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 1173
|
sdbum wrote: the higher the climber goes your job as a spotter becomes less make sure the climber lands on their feet and turns into make sure the climbers head does not hit the ground first.
+1 in my experience this is the spotters job pure and simple, not to catch them, but to guide their fall. And sometimes to hold the pad in the air. If you need a number, I'd say around 30 or 40 feet a spotter becomes irrelevant, but I'd also say at that height the line between bouldering and free soloing is in question as well.
|
|
|
|
|
kachoong
Oct 14, 2010, 2:13 PM
Post #16 of 24
(3967 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 23, 2004
Posts: 15304
|
gmggg wrote: kachoong wrote: It's been verified that it also depends on which dog breed your spotter is. This one for bouldering:  And Mastiff+grigri for everything else.
WOW! Amazing what you find when you google fat dog
Heh! Nomoretreats.com
|
|
|
|
|
gmggg
Oct 14, 2010, 2:14 PM
Post #17 of 24
(3963 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 25, 2009
Posts: 2099
|
kachoong wrote: WOW! Amazing what you find when you google fat dog
Heh. That was my search too.
|
|
|
|
|
mr.tastycakes
Oct 18, 2010, 2:44 PM
Post #18 of 24
(3800 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 10, 2008
Posts: 310
|
kachoong wrote: Sometimes during highballs the spotters will become mat holders... they hold a mat off the ground above another mat so when the climber falls they hit it on their way past... to provide some deceleration.
Just an opinion of course, but I friggin hate this technique. It impairs one's ability to anticipate hitting the ground
|
|
|
|
|
Chinchen
Oct 18, 2010, 5:53 PM
Post #19 of 24
(3753 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 11, 2009
Posts: 114
|
When I'm about two body lengths above the ground I tell my spotter to back off. I like the air spot though...
|
|
|
|
|
scotty1974
Oct 18, 2010, 7:05 PM
Post #20 of 24
(3721 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 31, 2006
Posts: 248
|
Well like it was stated they are good for moving the matts and to keep you from flipping backwards I'd think. Hopefuly to keep your body from tumbing off the pads too much.
|
|
|
|
|
richardvg03
Oct 18, 2010, 11:14 PM
Post #21 of 24
(3651 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 13, 2007
Posts: 740
|
sdbum wrote: the higher the climber goes your job as a spotter becomes less make sure the climber lands on there feet and turns into make sure the climbers head does not hit the ground first.
agreed... therefore making the spotter very very useful!
|
|
|
|
|
rainman0915
Oct 19, 2010, 1:30 AM
Post #22 of 24
(3620 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 11, 2008
Posts: 233
|
When its a free solo, and we all know how fuzzy that line is.
|
|
|
|
|
OCD
Oct 20, 2010, 5:17 AM
Post #23 of 24
(3519 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 28, 2010
Posts: 45
|
When they don't have arms. or when you are 2ft off the ground
|
|
|
|
|
airscape
Oct 21, 2010, 9:19 AM
Post #24 of 24
(3467 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Feb 26, 2001
Posts: 4240
|
If you reach the top, the spotter was pretty much useless the whole time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
