I was trying to climb while she was screaming and had a tough time focusing, even though I was on a 5.2. It made my hair stand on end. I'm glad to hear no one was hurt. It's very scary what some folks think is acceptable practice.

Kathy

That is insane...!

WHAT THE F*CK!?!

Did they learn to climb from watching Vertical Limit? This is bad...

Were the Rangers notified? This seems like something that warrents a STERN talking to... And perhaps a newspaper on the nose!

I really hope that your story isn't quite true and was embelished with beer, but I am very afraid it's what went down...

(Is there a thread on RC.com about this yet?)

Can I put $10 on "autoblocked belay device, couldn't lower" please?

I have this theory that the more we see new devices and tools, the fewer people there are who know how to ... belay, or just plain think.

Alicealicealicealice-

the person i heard the story from sunday said they heard it at a party as well.
they quoted the same line "We couldn't believe what we saw and that nobody died."

unfrikkinbelievable.

A reliable friend of mine who was nearby on Saturday told me the same story on Sunday when I saw him, so I do not think that your information was embellished. All parties involved should get a ban from the Preserve until then receive some proper instruction. Good thing that leader remembered to carry his knife, I don't know what would have happened had he left it in his pack.

Dude, 2 of the three witenesses were "Rod, Dan Ling, and another guy" All reputable sources. They were flabbergasted at the sight.

If it came from Dan Ling and Waddawick, I'll buy it.

I wonder if an orange metolius 4CU involved?

Its legit. When I heard the story my eyes popped outta my head.

Someone asked how the girl got down from the GT. (I have no knowledge btw) but said you could walk the GT over to the second rap bolts on high E rap line. They said, 'dam that must of have been scary', I say thats nothing after doing the Vertical Limit stunt.

...I just noticed a new "event" on the Home Page, that Chelsea Piers is teaching basic climbing, 4 sessions, with option of a day with EMS afterward... Sounds form the small blurb that it is geared toward outside and not simply gym climbing. If so - kudos to the gym for taking some action to help their cash cow survive long enough to renew memberships....(joke)