Tips for free soloing "safely".

Tim Lutz wrote: before leaving ground without a belay think:

Am I ready to die today?

If not, walk away

if so, via con Dios

You know, I just can't stand this stupid argument. Stupid, stupid, stupid... 

Bird of fire. Split rocks, joshua tree.

Climber is on Dolphin, exciting in its own way.

x15x15 wrote:

You know, I just can't stand this stupid argument. Stupid, stupid, stupid... 

wut argument?  you lookin for a fight bro?

please enlighten us with the wisdom of the ages x15x15 (if that is your real name)

Julian H wrote: Bring a smartphone with Fee Solo on it, just in case you need a refresher course in how to solo.

Seriously, if you bring gear you are not soloing.

If someone's got you on belay, you're not soloing. 

bruno-cx wrote: Always wear a red t-shirt and have a film crew follow your exploits.

He didn't have them film him, they asked if they could do it. 

- get your psych up by watching Free Solo
- attempt the FA of an unknown 5.13 on the second flatiron
- fall 60 feet
- call people on mountain project the road cyclists of climbing
- stick to craft brews and mountain biking

Do these count as soloing?

This thread was started after the solo climber died in Eldo. The jokes need to stop. 

master gumby wrote: Make sure you always smile for the camera.

BoF is hands down one of the most fun .10a's I have done, goes from fingers down low to hands to fists over the lip... 

Also Dolphin is a fun solo, kind of a interesting 5.7 OW iirc. Gets fairly wide toward the top.

Hobo Greg wrote:

I’m so tired of that response. It’s selfish to ask someone to NOT do something because it might effect YOUR mental state. Like with suicide, if someone has logically and rationally decided to end their life, everyone around them says “but think of how that’ll make x y and z feel.” Man, someone else wants to end their life and all people can think about is themselves.

Did you even READ my post? I didn't argue against free soloing.

Aren't you asking people to NOT bring this up because it affects YOUR mental state?

And aren't free soloists just thinking about themselves?  Free soloing benefits only the soloist.

I have a different perspective, and if you experienced what I have, your opinion would be different.  I served on a SAR team for over a decade, and had to tell too many family and friends that their loved one was deceased.  The agony of their cries, the tears flooding their faces, the constant "why" is permanently burned in my memory.  And scenes of grotesquely injured bodies, and worst of all, the smells. Images like this are what contribute to many cases of PTSD.

I suggest you watch Free Solo again.  Pay attention to the emotions of Sanni, Jimmy Chin, and the rest of his friends on the film crew.  And these reactions are not from a fatal accident, it is only from the THOUGHT of Alex "falling out of the frame."

I'm sorry this makes you uncomfortable, but the reality of the impact on other people will never go away, and is something that should always be considered - no matter how tired you are of this response.

And aren't free soloists just thinking about themselves?  Free soloing benefits only the soloist.

Please tell me how roped climbing is better? 2 climbers benefitting 2 climbers is what... morally better than the soloist? Lmfao...

You know, tragically, when 2 climber hit the deck at terminal velocity, there are 2 sets of personal lives devastated... and all those supposed benefits die with the climbers too...

Tim Lutz wrote:

wut argument?  you lookin for a fight bro?

please enlighten us with the wisdom of the ages x15x15 (if that is your real name)

First off dude, if ya wanna fight, sure. Why not. Sounds fun. I'm more into arguing, but if you wanna throw punches, I'm all in...

Maybe my choice of words was off, but you are quite an opinionted troll too...

But, you did opine with...

Tim the troll Lutz said... before leaving ground without a belay think:

Am I ready to die today?

If not, walk away

if so, via con Dios

And that does appear to be an argument. And yes a very stupid one.  Since you just wanna fight, no need to explain myself though.

x15x15 wrote:

But, you did opine with...And that does appear to be an argument. And yes a very stupid one.  Since you just wanna fight, no need to explain myself though.

How about for the rest of us? Why do you think that is a stupid argument?

x15x15 wrote: Please tell me how roped climbing is better? 2 climbers benefitting 2 climbers is what... morally better than the soloist? Lmfao...

You know, tragically, when 2 climber hit the deck at terminal velocity, there are 2 sets of personal lives devastated... and all those supposed benefits die with the climbers too...

For example: TR soloing crux pitches on big walls, so you don't trouble someone else with time and risk. So the team is better prepared for the send when you hit someone up to partner up with you.

And anytime you quench your thirst for climbing by making progress on a project, or climbing something that makes you feel good, because you had a partner there to keep you safe, and vice versa.

Or don't climb, and die by something else. 

Here's a tip for free-soloing safely:  Don't.  It's not safe.  Nothing can make it safe.  If you want safe, climb with a rope, protection, harness and belayer.  That's what those items are for:  safety.  This is probably the most ridiculous thread I've ever seen.

I don't even care to read all of the posts in only 4 pages. And I don't think I've ever experienced that particular repulsion since I started using this website in 2012.

Remember the first rule

First, eat a Power Bar.

Then you'll be ready to send!

Wear a helmet. :)

Paul Hutton wrote: I don't even care to read all of the posts in only 4 pages. And I don't think I've ever experienced that particular repulsion since I started using this website in 2012.

Paul, the point of the thread is to offer tips on how to be safer while free soloing by people who free solo. If you don't like it you don't have to read it, and if you don't have any tips to offer then you really don't need to post here.