The Real Risks of Climbing ?

Ask most non-climbers what they believe to be the biggest danger to a mountaineer or rock climber, and they are likely to say falling off ! But in fact, as a result of modern methods, equipment and training serious injury as a result of a long fall is actually among the least common events likely to happen to a climber. Falls do of course happen. They're more likely when climbers are fatigued, cold, dehydrated or cramped. All of these things reduce climbing efficiency. Coordination suffers, muscles become less able to maintain a solid grip,and judgment is sometimes impaired.

Pulling your body up against gravity not only requires good balance, but also considerable strength and endurance. So among the most common injuries suffered by climbers are the 'over use' injuries. Ligament strain is typical. Ligaments, which connect the bones in our body, may be are thick tissues, but they're not particularly elastic (unlike muscles). When stretched under tension, ligaments can be easily snapped or come loose from the bone. Even less serious damage to ligaments can result in severe pain and reduced function - especially in the fingers, arms and shoulders. About 25% of climbers have some degree of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, which results from repetitive pressure on the medial nerve running through the wrist. The result is wrist soreness and a burning sensation that sometimes reaches up toward the elbow as well.

But the risk of overuse of ligaments, tendons and other body parts is only one (albeit very common) type of risk in climbing. External factors are omnipresent, even when falling is unlikely. Loose rocks are a typical hazard of climbing. A lead climber will sometimes, much as they try to avoid it, brush rocks down on to climbers below. Just as often, they may loosen rocks above them by grabbing a hand hold that is inadequately secure. That brings debris down on their own head and shoulders.Larger scale hazards are far from unknown. When climbing in snowy, icy areas, avalanches are an ever present threat - especially during the transition between seasons when winter-frozen material is beginning to thaw due to the arrival of warmer Spring weather.

There's no magic solution to all these risks. The best you can do is be aware of them, always climb with at least one (and preferably more than one) experienced climber, and never reach TOO FAR outside the limits of your experience. By all means push the boundaries, because your climbing will never progress if you don't, but assessing the risks correctly and acting accordingly are the best ways to minimise the potential for injury.