Rock climbing - a dangerous sport?
When it comes to rock climbing, its increasing popularity and extended practice all over the world also means higher mainstream visibility. More people are aware when accidents occur, especially when they involve well-known figures. And when such accidents take place, in the end all that the public hears is ‘it’s a risky and dangerous business’. Usually in such cases, the real cause of the accident tends to remain un-noticed. Yet very often, this cause is due to the climber’s own poor judgement or lack of attention, that is human error, be it an overestimation of their capabilities, or incorrect use of the equipment.
Rock climbing can be dangerous. And so can lots of other sports and past time activities. I for example, was for many years afraid of going skating, imagining that I could fall and someone would pass me at high speed and somehow cut off my finger with their shoe blade. Stupid, right? Not really. Hospital-data.com’s database mentions some 891 or so accidents involving finger lacerations while ice skating in 2010 in the US. Not so many, if you count the actual incidences, but enough, if you ask me.
As for climbing, I know many guys that think that football is a lot more dangerous than rock climbing.
And you know what? It is. According to the National Safety Council, in 2006, in the US, 4,600,000 people went mountain climbing, and 3,875 got injured. This is less than 0.1%. In the same year, of 17,800,000 people playing football, 455,193 got injured, which is 2.56%. Their statistics also say that 2014 saw the highest number of mountain-climbing related injuries, 5,395, and we can very safely assume that the number of people taking part in this kind of activity also went up. In fact, Statista.com says that in 2016, approximately 7.7 million were taking part in climbing activities in the U.S., up from 6.6 in 2007. And that counts for a (very) low injury incidence.
An article published in Sports Medicine in 2010, called Evaluation of Injury and Fatality Risk in Rock and Ice climbing, says that climbing sports had a lower injury incidence than many popular sports, including basketball, sailing or soccer. Indoor climbing reported the fewest injuries per 1000 hours of participation, and no fatalities. Other climbing sub-disciplines similarly reported a low injury incidence relative to other mainstream sports assessed, along with a low injury severity grade. Injuries most commonly reported in rock climbing studies involve the upper limbs, notably the fingers, and usually happen because of overuse. A fatality risk remains though, especially in alpine and ice climbing, but, as you will see, this is a whole different story.
But ‘climbing’ is a word that describes many different related activities. That is, bouldering (ropeless climbing to low heights), sport climbing (mostly bolt protected lead climbing with little objective danger), speed-climbing (climbing as fast as one can on a 15-meter wall with strict holds arrangement), multi-pitch climbing (longer routes in adventure terrain), traditional climbing (no fixed protections when climbing), aid climbing (going up with the aid of specific equipment), alpine and ice climbing, and various combinations of these. There is indoor (on artificial ‘rock’ structures) and outdoor climbing, and depending on what you chose, different factors come in that can add to the risk. And, most of all, there’s individual autonomy and responsibility, that can save you a lot of pain.
It is generally agreed that the sport of rock climbing began in the last quarter of the nineteenth century in three parts of Europe, in Saxony, Germany, in the north of England including Peak and Lake Districts, and the Dolomites in Italy. By the half of the twentieth century, rock climbing evolved from an alpine necessity to a distinct athletic activity. The US saw European climbing techniques spreading across the country in the 1920’s, and a couple of decades later, the Yosemite Valley, California, became the most important climbing testing ground of the era after the war. When it comes to indoor climbing, the first full public climbing wall was built in the 1960’s in England, at the University of Leeds. It was to serve as training area for those climbing outside.
In contrast, with indoor and sport climbing, these objective and external dangers are greatly reduced, even though a risk of a fatal injury is still given. Most climbers manage these inherent risks with their climbing experience and skills, avoiding serious injuries. Sport and indoor-climbing, including competitions – numerous small and big competitions take place every year in the US and all over the world, including world championships and even Olympics in Tokyo next year – which cannot be considered as high-risk sporting activities.
As you see, there’s no bigger threat than going to a Friday evening football match. So, go ahead, try rock climbing, and get your thrills. However, make sure you learn the basics from people well informed and with solid experience – the techniques, and very importantly how to properly use your equipment. Most of all, learn in a relatively safe environment, both physical and psychological. Then have fun. Climbing is a social sport, and is full of benefits.
Rock climbing can be dangerous. And so can lots of other sports and past time activities. I for example, was for many years afraid of going skating, imagining that I could fall and someone would pass me at high speed and somehow cut off my finger with their shoe blade. Stupid, right? Not really. Hospital-data.com’s database mentions some 891 or so accidents involving finger lacerations while ice skating in 2010 in the US. Not so many, if you count the actual incidences, but enough, if you ask me.
As for climbing, I know many guys that think that football is a lot more dangerous than rock climbing.
And you know what? It is. According to the National Safety Council, in 2006, in the US, 4,600,000 people went mountain climbing, and 3,875 got injured. This is less than 0.1%. In the same year, of 17,800,000 people playing football, 455,193 got injured, which is 2.56%. Their statistics also say that 2014 saw the highest number of mountain-climbing related injuries, 5,395, and we can very safely assume that the number of people taking part in this kind of activity also went up. In fact, Statista.com says that in 2016, approximately 7.7 million were taking part in climbing activities in the U.S., up from 6.6 in 2007. And that counts for a (very) low injury incidence.
An article published in Sports Medicine in 2010, called Evaluation of Injury and Fatality Risk in Rock and Ice climbing, says that climbing sports had a lower injury incidence than many popular sports, including basketball, sailing or soccer. Indoor climbing reported the fewest injuries per 1000 hours of participation, and no fatalities. Other climbing sub-disciplines similarly reported a low injury incidence relative to other mainstream sports assessed, along with a low injury severity grade. Injuries most commonly reported in rock climbing studies involve the upper limbs, notably the fingers, and usually happen because of overuse. A fatality risk remains though, especially in alpine and ice climbing, but, as you will see, this is a whole different story.
Now, just what is rock climbing?
In short, as per Wikipedia, when rock climbing, participants climb up, down or across natural or artificial rock formations or walls. The goal is to reach the summit or a certain endpoint of usually pre-defined routes without falling. In climbing competitions, participants must either complete the route in the quickest possible time or reach the farthest point on an increasingly difficult route.But ‘climbing’ is a word that describes many different related activities. That is, bouldering (ropeless climbing to low heights), sport climbing (mostly bolt protected lead climbing with little objective danger), speed-climbing (climbing as fast as one can on a 15-meter wall with strict holds arrangement), multi-pitch climbing (longer routes in adventure terrain), traditional climbing (no fixed protections when climbing), aid climbing (going up with the aid of specific equipment), alpine and ice climbing, and various combinations of these. There is indoor (on artificial ‘rock’ structures) and outdoor climbing, and depending on what you chose, different factors come in that can add to the risk. And, most of all, there’s individual autonomy and responsibility, that can save you a lot of pain.
Where did rock climbing originate?
It is generally agreed that the sport of rock climbing began in the last quarter of the nineteenth century in three parts of Europe, in Saxony, Germany, in the north of England including Peak and Lake Districts, and the Dolomites in Italy. By the half of the twentieth century, rock climbing evolved from an alpine necessity to a distinct athletic activity. The US saw European climbing techniques spreading across the country in the 1920’s, and a couple of decades later, the Yosemite Valley, California, became the most important climbing testing ground of the era after the war. When it comes to indoor climbing, the first full public climbing wall was built in the 1960’s in England, at the University of Leeds. It was to serve as training area for those climbing outside.
What does rock climbing involve?
Usually it requires certain set-ups and specific safety equipment. Often, it also requires a second person to team up with. It demands physical and mental strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control. In its more advanced practices, it involves responsibility, maturity of thought, ability to quickly scan and analyze the surroundings, and take correct decisions.Outdoor versus indoor climbing
When climbing outdoors, there are objective dangers and physical hazards like variable rock and ice quality, extreme weather conditions, equipment that can injure you if you don’t use it properly (ice axes), difficult approaches and high mental and physical stress. In mountaineering, there are additional environmental factors that can directly cause injuries or death, like avalanches, crevasses, altitude induced illnesses. However, these situations can be avoided or even successfully managed, by training in alpine climbing or rescue skills, getting good knowledge of local terrain, proper acclimatization or paying attention to your own body’s response to high altitude.In contrast, with indoor and sport climbing, these objective and external dangers are greatly reduced, even though a risk of a fatal injury is still given. Most climbers manage these inherent risks with their climbing experience and skills, avoiding serious injuries. Sport and indoor-climbing, including competitions – numerous small and big competitions take place every year in the US and all over the world, including world championships and even Olympics in Tokyo next year – which cannot be considered as high-risk sporting activities.
Conclusion: Is rock climbing a high-risk activity?
Guess what? There is no standard definition for a ‘high-risk’ sport, that’s why classifying climbing as one was found to be either subjective or dependent on the definition used. Not to mention that, according to existing definitions, few sports would qualify as not being a high-risk sport, including basketball, mountain biking, handball, soccer (as a contact sport) and horse riding (because of the danger of potential fatality).As you see, there’s no bigger threat than going to a Friday evening football match. So, go ahead, try rock climbing, and get your thrills. However, make sure you learn the basics from people well informed and with solid experience – the techniques, and very importantly how to properly use your equipment. Most of all, learn in a relatively safe environment, both physical and psychological. Then have fun. Climbing is a social sport, and is full of benefits.
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Passionate about mountain, climbing Catalina is a trough and trough, outdoor enthusiast. She uses her astonishing exercise in endurance and determination to bring you the best stories on trekking, rock climbing, and adventurous pastime. A true mountain aficionado that will never descend into running out of words.