Simul-Climbing Sport

I walked up to the crag this morning and see two climbers simul-climbing single pitch sport! Is this acceptable practice? There was sometimes only a bolt between them, is that even safe?

When you forget the Gri and don't know what a Munter is

if they don't fall.
Sure

Uncle Rico wrote: I walked up to the crag this morning and see two climbers simul-climbing single pitch sport! Is this acceptable practice? There was sometimes only a bolt between them, is that even safe?

What

That is bonkers. 

Maybe just practicing speed climbing but it’s not too smart on a single pitch where you are looking at a ground fall from most of the route.   The second probably had the rope running through a Grigri and was just sucking up slack.   Couple of wannabe El Cap speed climbers.  

You haven't heard?  This is the new standard sport climbing method now.  Too many sport climbers were getting confused with rapping vs lowering and it resulted in a lot of accidents so the community has decided to get everyone to do this now instead to stay safe!

Em Cos wrote: That is bonkers. 

Or this version of bonkers?

Why is the dude on the bottom holding the "climbers" rope like that? Is it going through....something? Stuck on a rock? Can't tell what the black blob is.

I know, I know, trying to find some sorta odd logic in there somewhere. Can't see a fall by either being fun, exactly.

Which makes me think they are assuming they won't fall. So what, then, are ​they doing? ​​​

Best, Helen

Old lady H wrote: Why is the dude on the bottom holding the "climbers" rope like that? Is it going through....something? Stuck on a rock? Can't tell what the black blob is.

I know, I know, trying to find some sorta odd logic in there somewhere. Can't see a fall by either being fun, exactly.

Which makes me think they are assuming they won't fall. So what, then, are they doing?

Best, Helen

He’s pulling up slack through his Grigri.  

Kevin Mokracek wrote:

He’s pulling up slack through his Grigri.  

If you are simul climbing you are betting on not falling. 

On the top side of the rope? I kinda thought you'd prefer the slack underneath you.

Oooo! Wait, wait!

The black blob is a grigri, or whatever,for progress capture, okay. But then, that loop of slack, then the rope hanging straight. Maybe cloved to a draw, which would keep the bottom climber limited in how far they would go? Temporarily anchored?

Sorry, it's a climbing puzzle. What can.i say?

Best, H.

And that's a super short 5.10something at Summersville Lake. Maybe they're warming up for the Coliseum? All the climbs on that wall have the hardest move at the top, so the most likely fall would be protected. 

Speed practice, they're on ground they'd be happy soloing on and are probably doing all kind of speed shenanigans.
Probably looking for a sub 6 hour NIAD

Pretty sketchy, but I guess you've got to practice simul-climbing somewhere?  I can think of way better routes even in the area to do this on.

They were probably practicing for something. If you cared so much, why didn't you politely ask what they were doing from a curiosity perspective instead of taking a picture and posting on MP?

How does honald put it, something about "obviously there is higher consequences, but risk is subjunctive"

Acceptable practice is in the eye of the individual. This is at Gun Wall at summersville lake, and is used frequently as a warmup area for climbers working on 5.13s. Do what works for you, and let others do what works for them unless they're clearly gumbies in danger.

Uncle Rico wrote: I walked up to the crag this morning and see two climbers simul-climbing single pitch sport! Is this acceptable practice? There was sometimes only a bolt between them, is that even safe?

If you have to ask....

Kevin Mokracek wrote:

He’s pulling up slack through his Grigri.  

If you are simul climbing you are betting on not falling. 

You are betting on the SECOND not falling.  

Old lady H wrote: Oooo! Wait, wait!

The black blob is a grigri, or whatever,for progress capture, okay. But then, that loop of slack, then the rope hanging straight. Maybe cloved to a draw, which would keep the bottom climber limited in how far they would go? Temporarily anchored?

Sorry, it's a climbing puzzle. What can.i say?

Best, H.

I don't see a grigri.  I see what looks like a backup knot (fig 8 or overhand on a bight) clipped to the belay loops with two lockers and some cams hanging from his left gear loop.  There should be a gri-gri in there, but I'm not seeing it in the pic.  It looks like the second clipped into the middle of the rope since the climb is too long for simuling with the full length of the rope and they likely didn't want to coil the rest of the rope and carry it on their backs or over their shoulders.  Looks like the second has too much slack out too.  Not good for the leader if they were to fall.  They are so close the leader would probably hit the follower.  I'm guessing this is one of their first times doing this and they are trying to figure it out.