I am new to climbing and was wondering where I can get good information on how to safely climb solo. My basic concern is how to work your rope with no one holding it so that it would stop you in case of a fall. Any information or direction is greatly appreciated.

-- Rusty Johnston (rusjoh@accontrols.com), December 21, 2000

Answers

The basic idea is that after fixing your rope to the top of the climb, you clip to a device which can slide upwards, but will lock downwards. I'd advice you not to try until you've gained some experience. And don't even think about leading solo until you have gained a lot of experience.

-- Q.-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), December 21, 2000.

Rusty, take a look in the archive, I know there are many posts on this, as well as reccomendations of devices and there pros and cons of usage. As tuan said, don't take this lightly. Roped soling can kill you faster than any other kind of roped climbing if you blow it. Good luck, be safe!!

Cheers Feelio

-- feelio (feeliobabar@hotmail.com), December 21, 2000.

That's funny, Q.-T. It didn't even OCCUR to me to start soloing from the top. Some of actually start at the BOTTOM and climb UP! Anyway, Rusty, if you ever make it as far as the Big Walls, the Definitive Text is Chongo's Complete Book of Big Wall Climbing. See postings below to (try to) find it. Chuck is probably wintering in J-Tree. I wonder if his ropes are still up on Sea of Dreams...Cheers, P

-- Pass the Pitons Pete (peterzabrok@home.com), December 22, 2000.

Don't go near soloing till you've been climbing for years. Even then it's the most dangerous climbing out there.

-- Jim Davis (jmdavis384@aol.com), January 05, 2003.