So me and a friend were discussing this at Joshua Tree this weekend.

If a climber who is 6'2" takes a lead fall at the exact same place as a climber who is 5'10", who takes the longer fall?

Assuming you measure the fall from the waist, the taller climber could fall an extra 4" than the shorter climber. Or would it be an extra 8" due to the doubling of the rope? Or would the shorter climber take a longer fall because he's smaller and therefore as a percentage of body length, the fall is longer?

Obviously I'm in no way an expert on the matter, but what do the minds of MP think?

If the climbers are falling from the same place and we're talking about measuring the length of fall from their waist, we assume their waists are at the same height above the last piece, therefore they will fall the same distance

The one that actually gets out and climbs.

I would say 4" but over the whole fall. The 4" difference between climbers comes from the height of the entire body, not just the feet to the tie-in point. Say their feet are on the same holds, and bodies in the same position when they fall; the taller climber's tie-in will likely be a couple inches higher. So if Ichabod's length of rope out is 4'2" above the last draw, his fall (minus rope stretch, dynamic belay, yadda yadda) will be 8'4". Now, Stumpy on the other hand is standing at the same point at which Ichabod fell. Only, because of his height, there is only 4' of rope out above the last draw. So, when Stumpy falls and it's arrested, he will have fallen 8'. I think.

Note to self: Don't let johnL belay your freakishly tall ass. Ever.

if they're both static, reliable climbers; they will fall the same distance.

however, if one of them is a dynamic, unreliable climber; s/he will fall much further regardless of height. that is, unless s/he can no longer climb because of all the tendon damage that has surely resulted from that style of climbing.

and, if they're both dynamic, unreliable climbers; they're gonna die.

tall people don't fall because the moves are easier for them

Nice, John.

The tall person will fall father, for the simple reason that they're freakishly huge and will yank their reasonably-sized belayer off the ground. Unless we're talking about a tall skinny guy with a short, fat partner. It's my experience that the tall climber will fall more frequently, too.

Some interesting answers here.

Simply put, height makes no difference, weight does.

If you are trying to make a comparison, you need to have fixed points to measure, such as the tie in point and distance above the last piece of gear.

A tall person falling down a flight of stairs is a whole different story. Their head will certainly fall further before hitting the ground. Ouch.


More important, is your belayer smoking a cig, drinking a pbr or checking out some babe.

A picture is worth a kiloword.

fall pic Submitted By: daniel arthur on Mar 5, 2012

Depends how you define "the exact same place."

If you're talking about falling from the exact same footholds then the taller climber will fall farther. If you're talking about falling from the exact same handholds then the tall climber will fall a shorter distance. If you're talking about the knot being at the same point on the route then they will fall the same distance (all other factors being equal).

So there is more than one way to interpret the op's question.

Graham. Are you asking if both climbers feet are at the same distance above last piece of gear or tie in point is at the same distance above last piece.

If they are both standing on the same foot holds, then obviously the tie in point is gonna be higher for the taller person, and yes, a longer fall.

Unless taller guy is a twig weighing in at 140 and 6'2" and shorter guy weighs in at 195 and 5'10".

Fat people fall farther.

does 4" matter at all...?

This post violated Rule #1. It has been removed by Mountain Project.

I'm thinking the tall guy is reaching further from the stance, long arms, therefore works, pulls a bit higher up than the stumpy guy and falls further. Stumpy is working through intermediate moves under the reach of giganto', from same stance so if he falls during the move, his waist should still be much less above the last piece. If he moves up to the same higher holds that 'giganto fell from, well then I suppose his waist is also higher thus a longer fall. This is interesting.

This thread is certainly seeing alot of logic and thinking....not as mindless as many of our usual discussions!

In the end, its the guy with the bigger balls that takes longer falls.