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ewald
Nov 5, 2010, 9:36 PM
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Hi everyone!
I work for a large climbing gym on the east coast. We have several blind climbers (that come in with seeing-eye belayers) who want to do something other than "rainbow" the routes we have.
Do any setters at other gyms have solutions for or tips on how to create a blind-friendly route? We're throwing around ideas about ribbons, bells, etc that the seeing-eye belayers can add and take down from a route ahead of time - everything just seems a little cumbersome.
These climbers are really impressive in their efforts to overcome their disability, so I want to put in an equal effort on the part of the gym.
Thanks ahead of time!
-Kate
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acorneau
Nov 5, 2010, 9:50 PM
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Thats'a tough one. Just a few ideas:
1. Have just one climb in a given "space" so they're is no concern on what's "on" or not.
2. Have just two climbs overlaid, but each using a unique texture and/or shape (all sloppers vs. all pockets).
Might get some good answers from the folks over on RouteSetter.com.
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vegastradguy
Nov 6, 2010, 3:24 AM
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theres a gym in california that uses string wrapped around the bolt of each hold then strung along the wall to the next one for their blind climbers. seems to work pretty well for them.
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ax
Nov 6, 2010, 1:57 PM
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Registered: Aug 24, 2001
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vegastradguy wrote: theres a gym in california that uses string wrapped around the bolt of each hold then strung along the wall to the next one for their blind climbers. seems to work pretty well for them.
That's a great idea!
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bill413
Nov 6, 2010, 10:38 PM
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Registered: Oct 19, 2004
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Could you get/use route tpe with a different texture? (Man it would be hard climbing that way - having to feel for the holds, then the tape to verify that it's on, but...) Or, many places put a little fold in the tape when putting it on the wall - maybe having several folds stand up?
A different textrue (maybe latex) applied to the bottom of the holds?
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ax
Nov 7, 2010, 1:49 PM
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Registered: Aug 24, 2001
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a brail route... I've always wondered. .. those brail signs you see everywhere... how do blind folks no where to feel for them?
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Cyclic404
Nov 23, 2010, 6:47 AM
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Registered: Nov 23, 2010
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I wonder if embedding a small speaker in the holds would help? I could probably figure out how to build the electronics.
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NJSlacker
Nov 23, 2010, 4:18 PM
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I assume this climber has a partner? could they just tap the next hold so that they get a sense of direction and distance from it?
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dolphja
Nov 23, 2010, 6:18 PM
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Registered: May 18, 2001
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i climbed at a gym next to a blind individual once. his belayer was coaching him from the ground using the "o'clock" position. he did pretty well considering he was blind. as we were climbing next to them she's shout up, "left hand, about 2 feet, 11 o-clock... right foot 12 o'clock" it seemed to work pretty well for him
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edge
Nov 23, 2010, 6:54 PM
Post #10 of 17
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Registered: Apr 14, 2003
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dolphja wrote: "left hand, about 2 feet, 11 o-clock... right foot 12 o'clock" it seemed to work pretty well for him
A whole hour seems like a pretty long time to wait to move your foot...
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dolphja
Nov 23, 2010, 8:13 PM
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Registered: May 18, 2001
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edge wrote: dolphja wrote: "left hand, about 2 feet, 11 o-clock... right foot 12 o'clock" it seemed to work pretty well for him A whole hour seems like a pretty long time to wait to move your foot...
LMAO thanks edge. he honestly didn't move that slow though & moved pretty efficiently
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Jooler
Nov 24, 2010, 6:09 AM
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Registered: Mar 22, 2010
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Wicked endurance...
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guangzhou
Nov 24, 2010, 7:10 AM
Post #13 of 17
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Registered: Sep 27, 2004
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dolphja wrote: i climbed at a gym next to a blind individual once. his belayer was coaching him from the ground using the "o'clock" position. he did pretty well considering he was blind. as we were climbing next to them she's shout up, "left hand, about 2 feet, 11 o-clock... right foot 12 o'clock" it seemed to work pretty well for him
Doesn't sound so different from some of the guided groups I've seen around Asia.
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Rora
Mar 17, 2011, 2:31 AM
Post #14 of 17
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Registered: Oct 8, 2010
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Wow... blind climbers? thats awesome. Maybe have some speakers next to each hold?? i dunno.. :P
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maldaly
Mar 17, 2011, 4:26 AM
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Registered: Oct 31, 2002
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Kate,
Send an email to Erik Weihenmayer. There is nobody who has climbed blind more than Erik. I was with the crew that helped him climb the Naked Edge last year. His whole basement is a bouldering cave. Not bad for 2 glass eyes. Go to his website, www.touchthetop.com and click the contact button. He'll get back to you for sure.
While you're waiting for his response, check out the video we made of him climbing the Naked Edge:http://vimeo.com/7995224
Best,
mal
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jbro_135
Mar 17, 2011, 2:56 PM
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Registered: Nov 15, 2009
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Wow, great video, really well done!
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aprice00
Mar 17, 2011, 4:02 PM
Post #17 of 17
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Registered: Dec 7, 2010
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Cyclic404 wrote: I wonder if embedding a small speaker in the holds would help? I could probably figure out how to build the electronics.
http://www.rockymountainclimbinggear.com/
These guys have lED lit holds. It seems easy enough to put a chirping speaker in opposed to the light.
I got dibs on the Copyright
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