No helmets on Dawn Wall

I prefer to climb without wearing a hard hat. I won’t argue the safety issue pro or con—it’s just that my head feels freer and more receptive to the good things happening all around when I climb. I believe that the wearing of a crash helmet should be a matter of personal choice. However, in some climbing areas, like Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, it has become governmental policy. The same think is true with solo climbing in some National Parks. We have no one other than ourselves to blame for these restrictive policies. We have allowed the overstressing of the safety aspects of crash helmets in the American Alpine Club Accident Reports, which insurance companies read. It won’t be long before you life insurance will cover you only when wearing a crash helmet. It already applies to motorcycles, to gardeners working along freeways, and to students in climbing schools.