Which is more dangerous: Rock Climbing or Skydiving?

[lewmonst 0]

In the spirit of all the new rock climbing threads, lets start this debate.

I do both, but far more skydiving. So my vote is of course for...




peace
lew

http://www.exitshot.com

[ViperPilot 0]

I think it's a tough call, but it seems to me that most people who are relatively inexperienced w/ climbing tend to climb w/ experienced people (I know I do). But a completely inexperienced skydiver is aloud to go by themself and does. I'd say there's more of a chance of the novice skydiver getting a mal and screwing it up or not having a cypress and just going in, or not having an RSL, so the reserve didn't get out fast enough, etc. than there is of a climber getting into an insane situation and getting killed. Yeah I know it happens, just seems less likely...but I could be totally wrong. Just my opinion.

[heidihagen 0]

i don't know enough about rock climbing to say. if you lose grip, what happens? i know the harness serves a purpose.

i've been researching it a little-- i don't completely grasp the belay concept yet.. well, for example, when you start climbing.. if you slip.. is you life in someone elses hands? also, do they have a common injury -- like tib/fib break or rolled ankle?

i didn't lose my mind, i sold it on ebay. .:need a container to fit 5'4", 110 lb. cypres ready & able to fit a 170 main (or slightly smaller):.[/ce

[genitor 0]

It would be interesting to see the answers broken down by demographic. Examples:

I'm primarily a skydiver : Skydiving.
I'm primarily a skydiver : Rock climbing.
I'm primarily a rock climber : Skydiving.
I'm primarily a rock climber : Rock climbing.
I do both: Skydiving.
I do both: Rock climbing.

My answer would be "I'm primarily a skydiver: Rock climbing". Of course that may be just because I know so little about rock climbing.

[rhys 0]

I voted rockclimbing and i do both.

as mentioned earier skydiving in the beginning phase is more dangerious than when experience is gained. but climbing is vice versa. you begin with top roping. which is perfectly safe. then lead climbing, which has much more inherent danger if a mistake is made.

my 2 cents

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[eeneR 3]

I voted Rock Climbing....I do both..

Wanna see my scars?? , ok actually scars are tiny, damn arthoscopic surgery

With skydiving, if my main fails I have a reserve But both are very dangerous and need not be taken lightly, even if you are just at the gym. One small brainfart at the wrong time can get you or someone else hurt or killed.

She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway."
eeneR
TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto

[masterrig 1]

I voted for rock climbing but, where novices are involved, I would think the danger is about 50/50. Simply because of the lack of experience.


Chuck

[wildblue 7]

Those rock climbers are crazy!
They must have a death wish.

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[bbarnhouse 0]

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Those rock climbers are crazy!
They must have a death wish

Bwahhhhhhhhh! And when people say I am crazy for jumping out of airplanes, I just tell them "yea well you should meet some of my friends!"
Hehe!

[beowulf 1]

I don't think it really compares. If you are only toproping and not doing trad then rockclimbing is very safe. If you are doing some serious multi pitch trad climbing then I think that it could be more dangerous then your average skydive, but probably just as dangerous as swooping.

[Loonix 0]

i do both, and vote for skydiving. I got several scars from climbing, but when you fall there, the worst case scenario is usually a 5 meter fall. And if your last anchor fails, say 10 meters. It is survivable. Terminal impact is not (nor is hookturning into the ground).

[livendive 8]

I think skydiving is more dangerous, but rockclimbing scares me more. I'm not sure how those two perceptions fit together.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[qdiggety 0]

Either way if you fuck up, you're going to hit the ground and we all know that's going to leave a mark.

[chaoskitty 0]

I wonder if new climbers feel the same way at the bottom of a rock as new skydivers feel looking at an unpacked 265 sq foot canopy with a spring-loaded PC?

[tradman 0]

I don't know much about skydiving (other than it looks like a stupid good laugh), but the things that makes climbing dangerous is that you can do every single thing right and still die.

How much is out of your control in skydiving?

[lisamariewillbe 1]

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you can do every single thing right and still die

We hear and say and read that often

Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this
Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this

[tradman 0]

Oh yeah and another thing; climbing can be made almost completely safe for new climbers, I don't know if the same can be said for skydiving!

[marks 0]

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I don't know much about skydiving (other than it looks like a stupid good laugh), but the things that makes climbing dangerous is that you can do every single thing right and still die.

How much is out of your control in skydiving?

same thing in skydiving, you can do everything right and still die, its just a fact of life.

[boondock_saint 0]

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I wonder if new climbers feel the same way at the bottom of a rock as new skydivers feel looking at an unpacked 265 sq foot canopy with a spring-loaded PC?

Well first tell me how you feel when you look at your canopy? When I'm the base of a rock looking at the route I feel mostly just excited. I feel especially excited if I'm onsighting it (onsighting = climb a route for the first time with absolutely no information about the climb) or if i'm doing a climb I've done before but failed or done badly with too many takes (take = a command to your belayer to take out all the slack and let you rest on the rope before continuing).

If the route R or X rated it can get a little scary. R means run-out which means you're going to go far above you last piece of protection and fall a long way if you fuck up. X means a fall is likely to result in a severe injury or death.

-----------
"Do ya know what we need, man? Some rope. Charlie Bronson's always got rope!"
- The Boondock Saints

[beowulf 1]

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Oh yeah and another thing; climbing can be made almost completely safe for new climbers, I don't know if the same can be said for skydiving!

That can never be said of skydiving. A first time tandem passenger can and has died.

[rehmwa 2]

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That can never be said of skydiving. A first time tandem passenger can and has died.

Just like in rockclimbing - you have to wrap the newbies in at least 17 layers of bubblewrap before sending them out to play.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Girlfalldown 0]

Skydiving is way more dangerous! Just look at my ass!

--------------

(Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.)

[lisamariewillbe 1]

ummm sorry we couldnt see, might need to take the shorts off so we can get a better look

Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this
Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this

[Ashtanga 0]

Ouchy.

[avenfoto 0]

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If the route R or X rated it can get a little scary. R means run-out which means you're going to go far above you last piece of protection and fall a long way if you fuck up. X means a fall is likely to result in a severe injury or death.

i suppose all skydives are "x-rated" then...
wonder how you would rate a base jump...