Posted by Universal Rhythm on 11/30/2006
So I'm going to LRC this weekend and last time i was there i remember there being tons of really high problems. The people i most trust to spot me are going to be climbing grades much higher than the grades I climb, so I'm a little nervous about climbing.I will have a crash pad with me, but sometimes that just doesn't cut it.
Anyone have any special advice for highball problems and safe landings?
sarah says:
well...the only highballs i climbed was really lower than the grade i do on boulder...i choose maximum v4 cause on it i'm more sure that i can't fall...I think that the only advice is to have with yoiu a good spotter and more crash pads!!
yedrek says:
Spotters can direct you into a pad, but in highballs they are just as likely to get hurt if you take a high fall. Get one of those tripple pads that i think metolious makes, or revolution has a great pad that is made for highballs. Most important thing is, if you know you cant climb it, play around on it until you feel it would be an uncomfortable fall and then get off of it.
Ben Strohmeier says:
definately have good spotters. a spotter that doesnt know what hes doing is just as likely to get hurt but if you have one that has a clue than he will be a big help in softening your landing
FrozenOne says:
I have an old-style Franklin Mondo, 6' X 4' X 6", massive but on a real high-ball it looks like a postage stamp. If you plunge off a high-ball you are going to feel it for days even if you hit the pad nicely. I reckon that's what makes it a high-ball, right? I personally don't even like to use spotters, I treat high problems like solo climbs, don't fall but if I do intelligent padding and a feel for being in the air can make a difference between being stiff for a few days and orthopedic surgery. I also use sub-pads to augment the Mondo, team up with other people and pad-away.
yedrek says:
I agree with the no spotters, but if your going to miss the pad its nice to have a nudge in the right direction. As long as its a clean fall I think that spotters get in the way and can hurt you more, but if its all tallace or roots and boulders all over than yeah thats a different story.
Anonymous says:
BE CAREFUL GIRL!!!
dadee
katie says:
Good spotter is definitely key, as is good pad placement. You don't want to have a lot of big cracks in the pads or overlaps (since you will probably have multiple pads -- hopefully). Most importantly, though, don't expect your spotter to just catch you mid-air. Be aware of your surroundings and landing zone so that you can try to orient yourself in the air as best you can.
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