ivan Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 one of the few times i didn't i pile-drived my skull into an overhanging chunk of rock, leaving plenty of blood, skin n' hair all over the place Quote
kevbone Posted October 1, 2010 Author Posted October 1, 2010 one of the few times i didn't i pile-drived my skull into an overhanging chunk of rock, leaving plenty of blood, skin n' hair all over the place Same here. Pink Chalk knocked a rock down on me and it skimmed my head. A trip to the ER and two staples and I was fine. Could have been allot worse. Quote
TMO Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 Always in the 'pine, almost never cragging and never sport climbing. Though I have a nagging thought that I should wear a helmet during all climbing. Quote
stevetimetravlr Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 I always wear a helmet. Couple weeks ago Rick broke off a grapefruit sized rock from about 40 feet up out at Wishram crack climbing, and it impacted me squarely in the top of the helmet. didn't even faze me. I can't imagine what would have happened it i didn't have a helmet on, but I dont think I'd be typing this right now... Quote
denalidave Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 Yes, always, unless I forget to bring one... Steve/Boner, you should think about climbing with partners that are not always throwing rocks down at you. Or, at least stop provoking them to do so... Quote
ColinB Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 Yes, always, unless I forget to bring one... Steve/Boner, you should think about climbing with partners that are not always throwing rocks down at you. Or, at least stop provoking them to do so... Or at least climb places that have solid rock! Quote
chris Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 Always on ice or in the alpine. Most of the time on gear routes. Some of the time on sport routes. Quote
Off_White Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 I'm in the most of the time camp, pretty much for anything except top roping or following single pitch routes. I know a few too many people with really close calls in lead falls, funny things can happen very quickly, and head injuries can be really serious. It's been a tough conversion, as I climbed rock for years and years without one, I always seemed to bang my head more wearing the clunky things alpine climbing, and anything more than a bandanna or Whillans style cap was just too uncool. However, modern light helmets are much more comfortable than the old brain buckets and I've come to realize I was never cool in the first place. Quote
curtveld Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 Only when there is rock, snow or climbers above me. In other words, always! In climbing, there are too many risks completely outside my control to not keep the top of my head covered. Quote
Cratering Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 I learned the hard way to always wear one when aid climbing. Aiding is hot, sweaty and slow, and there's often nobody above you. But after my first significant fall, I discovered what all the veterans already knew: you generally take aid falls upside down. Quote
summitchaserCJB Posted October 1, 2010 Posted October 1, 2010 Always wear one. One of the few times I've not was rope soloing single pitch when I was alone at the crag. Quote
marc_leclerc Posted October 2, 2010 Posted October 2, 2010 Rock - no unless I am taking beginners out Ice/mixed- Always Alpine - Ususally Aiding - Always Quote
backclipped Posted October 2, 2010 Posted October 2, 2010 I almost never wear one when I'm clipping bolts, but I consider the helmet an essential piece of the gear plugging uniform-- I kinda feel naked with out it. Of course I realize this makes no sense. Irrational is the climber who ascends Moonshine, abseils, takes off the helmet, and gets on Wedding Day. So it goes. Quote
Jon H Posted October 2, 2010 Posted October 2, 2010 Always on ice or in the alpine. Most of the time on gear routes. Some of the time on sport routes. +1 Quote
toddipoo Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 Everytime I lead trad. Everytime I lead sport above 5.8 Only when I belay from a position below the climber with a risk of rockfall. Quote
JosephH Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 Usually just on R/X rated FAs, when aiding, and occasionally on busy weekends - probably 5% of the time. Probably could stand to wear it more often, but in general can't stand wearing them. Quote
ivan Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 Usually just on R/X rated FAs, when aiding, and occasionally on busy weekends - probably 5% of the time. Probably could stand to wear it more often, but in general can't stand wearing them. made my heart all warm n' fuzzy inside to be looking down on your unarmored head while juggling a hammer and 10 pounds of nails 50 feet above you the other week Quote
Sherri Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 I noticed that my partner and I were about the only ones wearing helmets at the Lower Town Wall in Index this Saturday. I always wear mine. It's cheap insurance. If my partner wants to go without one on lead, it's their call. But I believe that it's good etiquette to always wear one when belaying. You've got somebody's life in your hands. Quote
JosephH Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 Usually just on R/X rated FAs, when aiding, and occasionally on busy weekends - probably 5% of the time. Probably could stand to wear it more often, but in general can't stand wearing them. made my heart all warm n' fuzzy inside to be looking down on your unarmored head while juggling a hammer and 10 pounds of nails 50 feet above you the other week Yep, forgot it that day, meant to wear it. Quote
DPS Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 My partners would make fun of me for wearing a helmet at Smith Rock. One of the few times I forgot to wear a helmet I ended up taking a pretty nasty leader fall. I now have a big scar and permanent brain damage to remind me to wear one. Quote
tanstaafl Posted October 6, 2010 Posted October 6, 2010 There were at least three other helmet-wearers at the LTW on Saturday. We were stealthy though. Quote
Sherri Posted October 6, 2010 Posted October 6, 2010 There were at least three other helmet-wearers at the LTW on Saturday. We were stealthy though. Good to know we had company. Quote
Lisa_D Posted October 6, 2010 Posted October 6, 2010 Yes to helmets: when I'm rock climbing, when I'm on snow that requires an ice axe, going up gullies, skiing, and especially biking. I've been in school too long to risk hurting my head! Quote
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