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Michelle
Social climber
1187 Hunterwasser
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How terribly sad for everyone involved. I hope the little girl goes on to crush in his memory. Much love to his family, I can't imagine what they're going through.
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monolith
climber
SF bay area
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From various links, I gleaned they were bought and assembled by one of the kids in his group.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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I'm just speech-less. It's so horrible for the family. The poor kid who has to live with the guilt. It's awful for everyone involved. Check on each other folks.. even a 5.14 climber can miss something.
Deepest condolences to friends and family.
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monolith
climber
SF bay area
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I agree. It had to be a system with the rubber already attached to the sling/dogbone.
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Dr. Christ
Mountain climber
State of Mine
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Any thoughts why...
Because people let their guard down... everyone does at some point... you see it all the time... don't pretend you haven't done it... it is a game of chances with serious consequences.
It is tragic. Establishing why anyone did or didn't do something seems pointless now. Always check the gear that is between you and the dirt... check your friend's gear... especially check fixed gear... don't get lazy.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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I edited my original explanation to one that seems more likely.
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crunch
Social climber
CO
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So sad, so tragic. Far too young to die.
Condolences
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BruceAnderson
Social climber
Los Angeles currently St. Antonin, France
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I'm speculating it's those BD style draws where the rubber retainer is sewn inside the draw end (when threaded correctly you can't even see them). And while I agree we should respect the family's feelings at this horrible moment, it does warrant some serious discussion.
With so many kids, younger and younger all the time, climbing at very high levels you have to ask can a 12 year old truly understand the inherent risk of climbing?
The answer is no, regardless of how much training they have. There must be a parent or responsible adult involved at all times. I work with (and am responsible for) kids this age and quite simply they cannot be held responsible for themselves in a life or death situation like climbing (even something as "safe" as sportclimbing.)
It makes me sad and honestly really angry that this happened. I agree with Joe this is the worst sport climbing death ever.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Establishing why anyone did or didn't do something seems pointless now.
I disagree. True, it won't change this tragedy. The point is to prevent it from happening again.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Johntp, I think the key word is "now." While I am certainly wondering myself, my mind is simply overwhelmed with the tragedy, and the grief and guilt that his family and companions must be suffering. My condolences to all.
John
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
?
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... a young girl friend of the climber had improperly ... attached the biner only to the plastic ‘anti-flip’ piece instead of the actual dogbone. “He was on a trip with a group of 10 kids and 3 adults ...”
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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It only takes a moment of misfocus and Old Man Gravity will do you hard. I'm still hobbling around because of it. But to lose someone so young is matter for God because I can't get my head around it. So very sorry for all. He was somebody's son.
JL
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Anastasia
climber
Home
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The Loss of Life is never easy. Yeah Ron Gomez, I feel it too... Yet the loss of one's child so young seriously must be the worst. I know for a fact they won't ever really recover, they will just learn to live with always missing their son. Condolences to his parents, love to his family and friends.
AFS
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jopay
climber
so.il
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Very sad indeed, I agree with the supervision comments, but I also can only imagine how the supposed young friend must feel and the burden of knowing your actions caused such a terrible accident. My condolences to all.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Tragic. It does highlight the simple fact that grade numbers do not mean anything. we get awed by 5.14 but haveing the physical abilitys to climb big numbers does not gaurente the experience level and rigging skills to be safe outdoors.... had the kids been less talented it is likly they would have had more supervision... then again experience is no gaurentee of safty either....
Peace and light..
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FRUMY
Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
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I don't know what to say -- I'm so sorry, my heart goes out to family & friends.
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phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
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Oh, this is so very, very sad. There's nothing else to say right now.
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aspendougy
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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If we look at the history of some of the most tragic climbing accidents; Jim Madsen, Todd Skinner, Bachar,.... we see that even very experienced adult climbers can do something careless and pay the ultimate price. We've all read JL's classic piece about how he nearly missed that sequence in JT, free climbing with Bachar; who would have guessed that he would be laid up for months because of a 60 footer in a climbing gym?
The point is, all we adults are capable of lapses and doing dumb things at times. I hope and pray that the girl involved in the quick draws thing can somehow imbibe this perspective, that these things can happen even with mature adults, and so she will not take it quite so hard.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The great state of advaita
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My heart, prayers, and peace go out to all connected to this terrible accident.
Eric
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BruceAnderson
Social climber
Los Angeles currently St. Antonin, France
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He was a bravo ragazzo with a true passion for climbing. I am surrounded by kids his age right now and he's in my head and my heart right now.
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