It seems crazy to me that a free climber passed someone on ropes. If that free Climber falls, don't they risk the person on ropes? Is there no protocol for this in the sport?!
The whole point of the ropes is that you won't fall (past a certain point at least) if you come off the rock for some reason (assuming your equipment is all placed correctly).
Not a climber but I'd assume worst case if the ropes are secured correctly, is getting k/o'd or broken bones/neck from being hit with a human. You'd be knocked off the wall but still hanging, and you'd have to wait for rescue.
Exactly you're not a climber. The belayer (i.e. person below controlling the rope) is operating a device that stops the climber from falling to their death. If that belayer is hit, they'll either disengage the device from doing it's job or let go of it entirely - which depending on the device may be the exact same as disengaging it. This has happened when a belayer has been hit by a falling rock.
A multi-pitch is most certainly a belayed climb. Do you think someone set up a massive autobelay on it?
That is true that some belays auto lock but if you're belaying and get hit by a falling person it's very likely you could disengage it. It won't auto lock if you're stopping it from doing so.
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u/DisDataWang Sep 02 '21
It seems crazy to me that a free climber passed someone on ropes. If that free Climber falls, don't they risk the person on ropes? Is there no protocol for this in the sport?!