Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Hey, now! I used to climb in a younger world. Not that extreme but if you're more than 50 ft. off the ground it's just semantics. There's nothing wrong with pushing yourself to meet your maximum abilities. And it's no more dangerous than driving on the freeway on a Friday night.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Oh how everything has changed, both equipment and philosophy. We used bolts and pitons, today they use cams and nuts (if that). We left an occasional bolt, they leave an occasional chalk smear. Oh for a pair of today's climbing shoes back then. I was never great but loved sitting on high places with my legs dangling over the edge. Free ascent like that--never in my wildest dreams.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Mountain climbing is dangerous enough without hanging in those precarious positions.
Nice shot.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Great shot but definitely not an item on MY bucket list!!

Don

Kristian Loc: Monrovia, CA

Here’s what’s going on. They are “aid climbing,” the standard technique for climbing a big wall (free climbing these walls is very rare.) So, they are working their way up using their gear to hang from and move up. It looks like the climber who led this pitch, in blue, has reached the end of the rope (60M) and is, or is getting, anchored. There will be two ropes going down from him/her, one for the second climber, the other for the haul bag (food, water, supplies.) The haul bag is white, directly under the lower climber. When the leader is anchored, he/she will set up a pulley system and pull up the bag (which could weigh as much as 80-100 pounds,) while the second climber will use “ascenders” to climb the rope itself. Once re-united the procedure is repeated. Most often the climbers will switch their roles as leader and second at the end of each pitch. It’s all very well organized, or at least it had better be. This sport – if indeed it’s a sport – can be done quite safely, or not. Almost assuredly these two are very well prepared and have practiced their craft thoroughly before heading up a wall like that.

Rather than being morons, climbers tend to be a pretty smart bunch. Otherwise there would be precious few left.

Great photograph, by the way. You ought to send a copy to Climbing Magazine, who knows? Another good mag is Rock and Ice, but last I heard if it’s been on the web they won’t use it.

Diocletian

I don’t know if I really want to know myself that well. Thanks, though.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

Took a second look and found them both. Two brave guys.

Peter C

Thanks for all the comments, I learned from them...Pete

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Nice photo, a beautiful wall!!