Wow. It is really hard to tell who is risking the most! My bet is on the "spotters".

Am i the only one who thinks this is absurd? Not trying to be a jerk: just like to see reasonable safety or at least people risking their own lives.

I think maybe the picture's deceiving. The climber isn't really that high up. Maybe 15 feet. I think it is unlikely that any of them would die from this height.

They are not spotting, they just threw her up there.

Yeah that ridge is tall but most would not consider it highball. Perhaps they are not planning on catching her if she falls though, merely guiding her onto the mat, but hey what I do know about such things.

It's true Chris, you don't know much about that. Your style is more like 'guide them directly onto a log right in between the pads' as I recall :-)

Your foot will never be the same. Sorry buddy. We even had 3 pads including one mondo pad. Oh well.

lol

I wondered why no one ever commented on this photo. I think it looks ridiculous.

Also their plan john was to bop her onto the pad should she fall, not catch.

Oh for god sakes, it eases off up top. This is child's play. It aint bowling.

I think what Mr. Shultz was trying to point out was that the spotters were risking injury. Experience has taught me that no spot can be and often is safer.

Fairly tall (12-18 feet), vertical (give or take a little), and a level landing can be best spotted away from the pad only helping a falling climber if he/she is flying off the pad into other obstacles (trees and rocks etc.). Allow the pad to do its job.

Of course every climb is different and a more direct spot might be beneficial (climber is going to fall sideways or fly outwards). If this is the case and the height is substantial than I recommend more pads or waiting until the difficulty of the problem is well within ones ability.

I learned my lesson the hard way by catching an elbow in the face suffering a broken nose and a mild concussion. The person I was spotting landed on the pad as we had predicted and was unscathed.