Stepping on bolts?

Hello,

I witnessed a person teaching a climbing clinic at a semi-popular sport crag. He had a group of clients who had obviously never climbed before so he was top-roping everyone. At first I thought nothing of it until he was instructing people to step on bolts as they struggled up. I haven't been climbing for too terribly long but this seems very negligent and inconsiderate.

I really feel I should have spoke up and said something to the guy, and the people climbing. If I, by chance, ever encounter such a practice, should I speak up and disapprove of such actions/teachings?

Thanks for the feedback,
Anthony

I think it's kind of silly, but no more than that.

Don't put your fingers through the hangar, though. In the event of a fall, you won't get that finger back.

It does not impact you or you experience why do you care?

I care because what if it compromises the integrity of the bolt/hanger. That's why.

Bolts are rated for much more than body weight. Aid climbers will sometimes step on bolts. As long as they're not grabbing the bolts with their hands (and risking de-gloving their fingers), I don't see any problem with doing this other than the fact that it's poor style.

You take falls on bolts and you think someone standing on them when they are having trouble climbing a route is bad? I don't see a problem with it but don't do it when you are leading because you could take a bad hit on the back of your head if the rope catches your leg.

Anthony O'Neill wrote:I care because what if it compromises the integrity of the bolt/hanger. That's why.

If someone stepping on the bolt compromises its integrity, would you trust it to hold a fall even if someone hadn't stepped on it? Or without knowing if someone had?

Cool. Makes sense. That was kind of my on-the-spot-thought. I revisited this in my head and kind of second guessed it and wanted to hear what others' thoughts were.

I've taken beginners to a crag that the easiest route was a little harder than beginner level (the crag was close, that's why we went there). My friend was struggling so I told him to step on the bolts just never grab them.

It is no big deal at all and happens all the time.

Makes you go blind

Mark E Dixon wrote:Makes you go blind

Yeah, but you can quit when the glasses start to get real thick!

Nothing wrong with stepping on or pulling on bolts. All depends on your level. I'd personally consider it cheating if I did that right now. But when I first started climbing, I'll admit I did that a couple times. No big deal.
Aid climbers do it all the time. :) I wouldn't recommend saying anything about it to whoever was instructing if you see that again.

Bill Czajkowski wrote: Yeah, but you can quit when the glasses start to get real thick!

mountainproject.com/v/can-i…

My only concern is that if you slip, you'll likely be looking at a major painful leg gash. Same with grabbing one. Worth a broken finger or bloody leg?

A number of years ago climbing in The Valley a similar discussion arose and a French climber spoke up with and I quote him, "they would not have put the bolt there if it was not to stand on". When ever I'm trying to climb fast on something long and a bit hard for me to do and I see a bolt that quote just makes me smile as I step on that bolt. Must admit though it's just not the same without his accent. As In remember he was trying to recruit one of us to climb cookie Monster on gear, no slouch.

budman wrote:A number of years ago climbing in The Valley a similar discussion arose and a French climber spoke up with and I quote him, "they would not have put the bolt there if it was not to stand on". When ever I'm trying to climb fast on something long and a bit hard for me to do and I see a bolt that quote just makes me smile as I step on that bolt. Must admit though it's just not the same without his accent. As In remember he was trying to recruit one of us to climb cookie Monster on gear, no slouch.

If you're climbing it on gear, but are French, are you still allowed to step on the bolts...?

Scott McMahon wrote:My only concern is that if you slip, you'll likely be looking at a major painful leg gash.

Saw that happen to a climber. Opened his knee right up, then he finished the climb. Left an incredible amount of blood on the rock.

I did it a couple times when I started but was quickly corrected by my partners. I wouldn't bother telling the students, they'll learn it soon enough from somebody. But don't let your partners do it

Friends don't let friends pull or stand on gear. Free that shit son.

Telling people not to step on bolts would wrong. Making fun of them for doing it would be the right approach

JCM wrote: If you're climbing it on gear, but are French, are you still allowed to step on the bolts...?

French free

aid climbers step on bolts all the time? for realzy?