Everybody struggles with consequence vs. risk in rock climbing. Trad climbing, sport climbing, ice climbing, bouldering, free soloing, and indoor climbing involve times when you must internally compete between consequence and risk.
But what exactly is the difference between the two? Can you have one without the other, or do they always present themselves together?
What is Consequence?
Consequence is the follow-up of your actions in any endeavor. That can be something simple like staying up too late before work. Two consequences could include:
1. Waking up on time and being tired throughout the day, or
2. Sleeping through your alarm and arriving to work late.
Consequences can also compound each other. Say you woke up on time but are incredibly tired at work. You may make mistakes such as spilling your coffee on yourself or forgetting to submit a report. On the dramatic side, you may even make a costly mistake that ruins your company’s reputation because you weren’t thinking clearly.
Now, say that instead of waking up on time, you slept through your alarm and arrived late to work. Consequences could include:
1. Forgetting something for an important project at home when rushing out the door or
2. Not changing out of your home slippers. More severe consequences could include losing your job because you missed an important presentation.
Everything in life has consequences, but not every result is life-altering. Sometimes, you just miss the bus and must catch the next.
What is Risk?
Risk can be categorized as something that has consequences. Consider staying up late: The risk of staying up late includes waking up on time, being tired for work, or sleeping through your alarm.
You take risks every day, not just in rock climbing. If you try a new restaurant, you’re risking whether you’ll enjoy it. Not taking an umbrella when the sky looks dark is risking that you’ll get rained on. Driving a car risks other drivers obeying the rules of the road.
While some risks can have minor consequences, such as not enjoying a meal, others can be life-changing. But that’s part of life. If you never took risks, you’d never reap any significant consequences.
Consequence vs Risk in Rock Climbing
Consequence is the outcome of every risk you take, and you take risks each time you go rock climbing. Understanding this relationship is crucial for making informed decisions and staying safe. Deciding between taking risks will depend on your experience and whether the consequences are worth it. This understanding can help you avoid unnecessary risks and make safer choices while climbing.
A beginner boulderer without a lot of falling experience has a higher risk of injury than a seasoned veteran. A boulderer of 10+ years understands how to fall correctly and when the risk of falling has too high of a consequence for them to continue. As you gain experience, you can minimize the risks.
Still, rock climbing is a dangerous activity. Just because you can minimize your risks doesn’t mean the consequences of failing at those risks aren’t high.
The difference between consequences vs. risk in rock climbing and everyday life is that small risks in rock climbing can result in significant consequences. A solid 5.12 sport climber could free solo a 1,000ft 5.5 with little risk because they are comfortable on that terrain. However, the consequences of messing up can be life-ending.
Is it Worth it?
Risk is deciding if the consequence is worth it– and the climber only determines what is ‘worth it.’ This can include moving over an exposed ridge to ensure you retrieve all your gear, climbing something dangerous for personal glory, or even doing something only so that you can brag to your friends.
An experienced climber understands the relationship between risk and consequence. That is why some climbs are graded with movie ratings.
- A 5.4R route will be easy enough to climb (risk).
- A mistake can be deadly (consequence).
As you improve your confidence and ability in rock climbing, you will likely take more risks. But always remember, your safety is paramount. Calculate if the consequences are worth it. There is nothing wrong with deciding a climb is too dangerous for you. Your safety is always a priority.
The difference between an over-confident and a competent climber is understanding when to bail. So stay safe and calculate the risks you take!
Recent Comments