This guys gets way Hi

[Pat K]

http://www.wimp.com/withoutrope/

[dalebert]

That boy has a date with Darwin.  And considering how few dates he seems to have, odds are good it will happen before he can reproduce, which is good for evolution.

[MaineShark]

That boy has a date with Darwin.

Statistically-speaking, not falling while not wearing a safety harness is no more dangerous than not falling while wearing one.

Joe

[Fluff and Stuff]

When I was younger a bunch of folks and I used to climb without ropes but it was only either trees or up to 30 feet.  I still like that way but I understand that I'm not really strong when it comes to doing that so I try to stick to trees and scrambling now.

[dalebert]

Statistically-speaking, not falling while not wearing a safety harness is no more dangerous than not falling while wearing one.

The shit he's doing, it just seems like a matter of time.  There are so many things that can go wrong that are beyond his control.  What exactly is the point of not wearing safety gear to prepare for the unexpected?

[MaineShark]

The shit he's doing, it just seems like a matter of time.

Depends upon how good he is.  If he's good enough, then his risk level, not wearing a rope, may be less than an average climber's risk level, while wearing a rope.

What exactly is the point of not wearing safety gear to prepare for the unexpected?

It's heavy and awkward.  I'd expect that those factors make falls more likely, if you're wearing a safety harness and rope, than if you are not.  They're less likely to be serious, but more likely to happen.

Sort of like motorcycle helmets.  If you get in a serious crash while wearing a helmet, you're less likely to suffer a massive brain injury, more more likely to die from a broken neck.  Personally, I find that a better trade, so I always wear a helmet; I'd rather be dead than a vegetable.

If he falls, doing what he's doing, he's more likely to die, but less likely to be crippled or otherwise severely injured (falling with a rope on doesn't prevent all injury).  Maybe he'd rather be dead than a cripple.

Joe

[littlehawk]

I think Spiderman was impressive. Someone should stand below him with a fishing net...just in case he falls.