Mechanic-AL wrote:Have there ever been any fall related fatalities up there?
My apologies for possibly being a bit negative here. Just wondering ??
AL
Mechanic-AL wrote:Have there ever been any fall related fatalities up there?
My apologies for possibly being a bit negative here. Just wondering ??
Dion decided to go on when I turned back only 100 meters from the summit. Moments later he slipped and fell from a ledge when some rock crumbled in his hands. He started to fall down the face of Federation Peak. He said he felt as though time was running in slow motion and that it was time to die. By some miracle he grabbed an unsecured rope that was being put in position from above. He was lucky the guys holding the rope held him. Then, dangling one handed with a fall of several hundered meters below him, he scrambled to safety and waited out the climb while the others continued to the summit. The climbing party roped up as it started to rain and belayed to the ascent point safely. Dion was clearly in shock. I was glad I turned back. I have no regrets about not reaching the summit.
Going up with my wife, I was pleased to have taken a rope. And, for peace of mind, I'd suggest that anybody else who has any doubts ought to take one as well (obviously, also, with the knowledge of how to use it.) But - each to his own, and I shall leave it at that.
newhue wrote:Tortoise, I would not be concerned one little bit of the stigma, if any, to use a rope. If that what gets you there and back than excellent choice. Unless you are going to harness up I'd be looking at tape however. Always found it much easier to hang onto than rope. Climbing supply shops sell it.
Tortoise wrote:I know people vary in their thoughts on the use of rope in that particular context, due to an apparent lack of easy anchor points. I'm wondering how you secured the rope for your wife- what sort of anchor points did you use?
DaveNoble wrote:You can always try the climbing gully (original route) - much less exposure, but the climbing is a bit harder.
Dave
newhue wrote:If one is strong enough to do 4 days, than 8, than one can build to 12 days or however long they wish to take. The respect for nature and it's moods is still the same regardless of where you go. Spending 3 days in a tent with the rain, hail, and wind was almost as testing for me as climbing Fedders will be for you. I don't do inactivity well, but my wife loves it. The exposure along the range with it's ups and downs will see you mentally fit and strong enough I'd imagine. The work you are doing is probably far more than many of us would, and that is great. However many have climbed Fedders with a healthy fear of it. Your doing a great job but I'm thinking don't overwork it.
newhue wrote:...honestly I think height is not much of a handicap. ...
If only I had the climbing capacity of eggs!Sorry eggs, got you confused with Tortoise as the original poster.
newhue wrote:Tortoise, I have climbed with, and watched plenty of short girls climb, honestly I think height is not much of a handicap. They just use their legs more typically, and take smaller steps. Most blokes tend to use their arms to much. I'm not trying to cut you down, rather encourage you to work through some of the mental barriers that we humans use to hold us back. I can understand the notch issue, it sure spooked me, and I was certainly sweaty palmed and nervous about it. To be honest I found it more troubling than the bulge. Weather because it was done before we did the Arthurs, or I was just focusing on the rock and task at hand as I keep saying when doing the bulge I can't say. But I didn't find the notch all that enjoyable at all.
north-north-west wrote:newhue wrote:...honestly I think height is not much of a handicap. ...
Try these numbers: maximum reach available at full stretch for person 1 = 1.65m; maximum reach available at full stretch for person 2 = 1.95m; nearest viable handhold = 1.80m.
Now, who is more likely to have problems?
There are a lot of other contributory factors but, all else being equal, the shorter person is working harder to achieve the same result. If they can achieve it at all.
stepbystep wrote:...Seriously though, walkers have become far too lackadaisical in their approach. Photography trophy hunters and abel baggers are big culprits I reckon.
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