Cancel Free Soloing

Tradibanwrote:

Yes, I don't think there have been enough close calls or accidents by free soloists to justify any sort of ban but I do think free soloing is the kind of reckless behavior that should be "cancelled" by the community.

It's important to speak up when you see people doing dangerous things, I don't mean we should be literally shouting them down but some strong eye contact and carefully worded warning or reminder is a good idea. What if the guy falling, or the guy he almost hit was your brother or father or son?

Climbing isn’t for everyone. There are many other hobbies you could pursue to fill the time leftover from trolling people on Internet forums. 

Whisk3rzz 1wrote:

Also, the amount of videos of free soloing I see on social media tells me a lot about the general motivation behind it

It probably has something to it, yes.

However I think it would be wrong to assume that every single thing put out on social media is necessarily motivated by what you think it is (some sort of combination of ego/need for validation etc.). Different people do the same things for different reasons.

Astrid Reywrote:

Do people really free solo when there are others beneath them?

Yeah, this clip just popped up on youtube; anyone else seen it? Looks like it's on a busy day on Dark Shadows, maybe? I'm not too psyched on the soloist's choice to just motor past all these groups.

We were halfway up Fairview when a soloist came up and without a word climbed past. I stopped climbing and breathlessly watched and waited until he was no longer directly above us.

It would be ridiculous to try to ban soloing but practitioners should make an effort to pick routes where they won't be endangering others if they blow it. Oh, and at least say hello if you do happen to pass me by :)

Astrid Reywrote:

Do people really free solo when there are others beneath them?

really?

General view of MP users:

Bouldering sucks

Sport climbing is neither and should be banned because bolts are cheating unless there are less than 5 per pitch

Trad climbing is the only pure form of climbing 

Free soloing is ego driven so should be banned 

Wtf...

Have probably come in close contact with dozens of free soloist on climbs. Every one of them was courteous about the safety of themselves and others.

The soloists who truly endanger others are akin to the roped ones who likewise endanger others.  

Must be time to cancel the human population.

The Dark Shadows video is interesting.  Not sure if there was sound.  Still, it appears the soloist was welcomed to pass after the leader fell at a crux-ish point on P3.

DrRockso RRGwrote:

People are probably just as likely to be hit by a non free soloist who made a mistake like rapping off their ropes, or gumbies kicking knocking rocks off. 

I'd say much more likely, and that you'd be much less aware than if a soloist was above you. 

thomas elliswrote:

General view of MP users:

Bouldering sucks

Sport climbing is neither and should be banned because bolts are cheating unless there are less than 5 per pitch

Trad climbing is the only pure form of climbing 

Free soloing is ego driven so should be banned 

Wtf...

General "I'm bored at work" view that is. Really, if people just stayed in the gyms there would be no problems in the climbing world. Gyms are where the future lies, its more sustainable, eco friendly and soloing will get you banned for life.

new yosemitesamwrote:

Safety first...and also second for sure!!

Nah.. coffee first... safety is like 3rd or 4th...

A V wrote:

My rankings have always been:

1st or 2nd: Looking good

1st or 2nd: Having fun

3rd: Hippie speedball (coffee + THC + CBD)

4th: Safety 

5th: black tar heroin

Tradibanwrote:

Yes, I don't think there have been enough close calls or accidents by free soloists to justify any sort of ban but I do think free soloing is the kind of reckless behavior that should be "cancelled" by the community.

Isn't 'canceling' just refusing to buy/watch their products/media? I mean, I'm all for that. I don't think I've ever "hit like and subscribe" on a free-soloist's youtube video. So I suppose I'm already 'canceling' them?

Soloing past other groups and creating an objective hazard they did not account for when they chose a climb is a complete dick move, no way around it.  Solo something obscure if that’s what you need to be doing.

A much  better idea would be to cancel  tradiban.  

Pnelsonwrote:

Yeah, this clip just popped up on youtube; anyone else seen it? Looks like it's on a busy day on Dark Shadows, maybe? I'm not too psyched on the soloist's choice to just motor past all these groups.

This seems to me like the people who drag race on the freeway. They aren't only risking their own lives they are risking the lives of anyone else on the road.

If a car sped past on the freeway going 100 miles an hour, would that be reckless and irresponsible or would be be ok if we knew they were a professional race car driver?

Cole Darbywrote:

Latest episode of the runout podcast literally talking about this same thing, but they have a different opinion 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runout-60-the-future-of-everest/id1343646999?i=1000517447658

Bisharat’s bitter snarky take on free soling, it’s critics or proponents (or whatever): no thanks.  Kalous rerunning Brad Gobright’s interview in memorium: yes please.

Astrid Reywrote:

This seems to me like the people who drag race on the freeway. They aren't only risking their own lives they are risking the lives of anyone else on the road.

If a car sped past on the freeway going 100 miles an hour, would that be reckless and irresponsible or would be be ok if we knew they were a professional race car driver?

Solo climbing isn't going away. Experienced soloists should not be considered safe, since we know they all fall at some point. So if on the same route, they are an objective fall hazzard (no matter how famous they are).

Soloists trying to climb the same route as our party isn't acceptable. In the past (when climbing in Yosemite I didn't know better nor about risks involved), I would just say " sure, you can climb through".   

Today I would just tell them to climb around us, just as I would tell any other roped climbing party trying to "climb through." Of course, all bets are off if we are on an obviously popular big wall climb with limited options and we're the slowest party on route. 

Lastly, let it be clear that I think soloing is fine, just not at the same time on the same route I am climbing. 

caughtinside wrote:

What is the OP referring to? Did a soloist fall on a roped party?

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/120528945/accident-on-yosemites-manure-pile-buttress-41021

Could someone please cite an accident where a soloist fell and hit another climber, injuring them?  Considering just how much moderate soloing occurs in places like JTree, Red Rocks, and Yosemite ... If you can’t, that argument doesn’t hold much water.

Furthermore, should faster parties be allowed to pass you? I mean, the leader could fall while passing and land on your head. Should anyone be allowed to climb above you at all? They could drop some shit. A dropped C4 or gallon of water could be deadly.

Climbing is risky. The risks exist on a continuum, but there is no “safe” form of climbing. A pretty fundamental aspect of this sport is that people can choose where they want to sit on the continuum. If people start dying from being struck by fallen soloists then a debate should be had, but this is ridiculous. Let people enjoy the mountains how they like.

I'd rather just develop a climbing culture where in soloists simply try to avoid a route where another party is already climbing on it or might be under the soloist should their solo climb traverse.  Pretty easy. I have never found it necessary to be on a route another party was on. I just change my objectives. In fact, I try to avoid people at all costs when I am out alone.