Sphinx

True, now you're dumb and old.

And you'd know being such an experiences alpinist. If they aren't rappelling, then why is the one dude giving a fireman's belay? You sound like a Mounties textbook. Besides, Minx said explicitly that she was worried on the Monkey Face rappel. I know there are lots of dead trees and sketch rock horns that you have to rappel off of on that route, but still. Scrambling doesn't involve ropework. Anyone who needs a rope to get down a 20 degree forest floor is a gumby with low IQ, no two ways about it.

So the rabbit comes out of the hole, around the tree, then back through the hole. And that's how you make a figure-8.

Alpinfox, thanx for the useful reply. I agree that the pictures may look a little rediculous, but you gotta start somewhere, and in some cases you don't know what's outside of the picture. Some people want to climb, but don't know anyone else who does, and these groups provide a way so they can learn. They guy in first picture is walking down a slab. If I'd never done it before, I'd certainly want to try it on that rock rather than on something steeper 1000 feet above the deck (even though it could be done.) For all the people who are joking about this, are these people in the picture preventing you from climbing? Are they pouring sugar in your gas tank and pissing on you from great heights? No, but they clog up scrambles, and call themselves climbers.

so now anyone who has ever started climbing is required to be comfortable with rappelling within two days after they first climbed??? I rarely say this to anyone, but I think you need to learn about how dangerous rappelling can be the hard way... As I read it, Minx isn't afraid of the danger that rappelling can entail. I read that she's afraid of the rappel itself. It can be dangerous, but I, for one, am one hell of a lot more scared of a big fall than a rappel off of good anchors. Being scared of leaning away from the wall and trusting the rope is normal, but you get over it fast. It's not good if you don't. Oh, and also, how is rappelling more dangerous than climbing? If you climb, you NEED to know how to set up an anchor, clip in to it, and rap off if need be. There's no excuse not to. Sphinx, i do have some common sense. i've even been known to choose to rap rather than down climb some scary shit. that still doesn't keep the thought that my anchor is going to fail or some freak thing is going to happen. seems like i read more accident reports about rappells rather than climbing. the entire 1st half of the rap of monkeyface last w/e i kept thinking "fuck fuck fuck, i hope that knot holds, fuck fuck fuck, i hope that anchor is as solid as it seems, fuck fuck fuck" it's been 15yrs since my first rappel and i still don't like it much But what's the point of worrying that a knot will untie? When hanging at a belay are you worried about the same thing? I get scared rapping off an anchor that I am not sure is good. Worrying about three huge bolts set in good rock is irrational, and just provides excess mental baggage. Worrying about your knots is something you shouldn't do, because if you don't trust what you have set up, then you shouldn't do it. I worry about what I can't control: sharp edges, poor anchors, etc.

You hate rappelling. Yes, but are you scared of the rappel itself? Would you be scared to rappel off of an absolutely bombproof anchor, with knots in the ends of your rope, seeing that the rope reaches the next anchor? I doubt it.

so now anyone who has ever started climbing is required to be comfortable with rappelling within two days after they first climbed??? I rarely say this to anyone, but I think you need to learn about how dangerous rappelling can be the hard way... As I read it, Minx isn't afraid of the danger that rappelling can entail. I read that she's afraid of the rappel itself. It can be dangerous, but I, for one, am one hell of a lot more scared of a big fall than a rappel off of good anchors. Being scared of leaning away from the wall and trusting the rope is normal, but you get over it fast. It's not good if you don't. Oh, and also, how is rappelling more dangerous than climbing? If you climb, you NEED to know how to set up an anchor, clip in to it, and rap off if need be. There's no excuse not to.

yes i do and if he's not nice i'll show him what i can do with my knee. Minx, if you aren't comfortable rappelling then I hope that you started 'climbing' roughly two days ago.

Why would anyone in their right mind rappel a trail? I'm all for learning someplace you don't get scared, but this is beyond ridiculous. KEEP IT UP, GUYS!

My first rappel was overhanging. You sound like a Mountaineers apologist. This shit is freaking ridiculus. If you need a course to figure out how to walk on a rock, you should stay indoors. We all need a course to walk on a TRAIL, let alone rock. THIS SHIT IS DANGEROUS!

Why should we talk to politicians about climbing? So they can ban it? Your bragging about 5K towards Beckfest if beyond juvenile and pathetic. Pretending that you are the savior of climbing in Washington is arrogant beyond belief. You make me . I piss on you from a considerable height.

Right, like Beck is doing everything due to the goodwill in his heart. He's just trying to score more funding for Beckfest. He just kisses asses, then sprays about it on the internet. If he really is trying to do something good, then he should tell us about it, and not in Spray. I don't like the guy's attitude , his personality , his Beckfests , or his creeping servility to people with power/money . Or his face, for that matter .

A new rock climbing forum would be cool.

Remember: rappelling is the most dangerous part of climbing! If the anchor fails, you could scrape your arm!

I don't like one pompous asshole being the spokesperson for my climbing. Fuck off.

No shit!!! who needs a rope on the crap anyway... Although I usta do a simular belay before I real was into climbing, sept I would twist a 1 1/2in. twine style rope(from local ace buyers) around my arm, then run it under my ass and grip tight with the other hand at shoulder level, heavy leather gloves required... usta drop fifty+ foot verts like that when I was 12... You have just been kicked into the Mounties!

Here are my feelings toward you Erik: FUCK A FAT WHALE FOR BABY JESUS. AND EAT A DICK WHILE YOU'RE AT IT!

Hell, since so many people die of cancer, LIFE must be carcinogenic! I think I'll avoid life. Seriously, RobBob's right in that we focus too much on ONE source of trace carcinogens which we get from other foods anyway. Like mushrooms, as his article pointed out. I, for one, will eat fake salmon without worry, but I will still prefer real salmon, for the taste. I suspect the same is true for just about everybody on this board, but you are all arguing for the same of arguing.

Troll!

OMG I thought that was a TROLL! It's real! OMFG! I can't believe it!

No, Beck was fired because his pompousness was keeping customers away. Too much organization.