[pct-l] Re: climbing,

[msarahm at cox.net (Sarah)]

Norma Ruiz wrote:

> I am not a climber,HOWEVER,I was a climber for PG&E, why would you 
> climb and make things dangerious,why not climb,toss the rope down and 
> pull your gear up to you, I climbed towers,trees,mountains,never to 
> climb with anything attatched,makeing harder and dangerious, "the 
> Bulltaco"

Hi Norma,

I have done a fair amount of rock climbing (though not in the last 
couple years), but I didn't intend to suggest climbing a full pitch of 
rock with a full backpack.  What I meant is when going over steep 
terrain, there is often a step or two that requires climbing moves.  
It's typically just a couple of sequential moves.

If I'm concerned about making the maneuver safely, I take off my pack 
and pass it to a friend.  I have also been in a situation where I 
lowered my pack with some p-cord.  But most of the time I step on an 
edge, grab a handhold, and mantle up onto the top of the rock (or 
whatever is required).  I think it's in situations where I'm leaning 
forward  and perhaps bending my back that the weight of the pack can be 
thrown up over my head.  I've never fallen because if it, but it can 
sure give you a shot of adrenalin if your foothold is a little thin!  
Unbuckling the hip belt keeps it from happening, I think because the hip 
belt doesn't ride up.

I wear a pack with both a hip belt and a chest strap.  I'm lighter than 
I used to be, but still a long ways from ultralight.

Sarah