UKC

Does Westway have self belaying devices? If so what sort of grade routes are they on?

In reply to stevez: Nothing on the website. If they did, they would probs be redpoint devices, which were recalled a few months back. So unlikely.

In reply to stevez: I remember a thread where one failed and a climber got injured. I don't think there was any conclusion/understanding reached but I am pretty sure they were removed.

In reply to stevez:
They used to, but someone got injured so they took them away.

In reply to stevez: deffinatly none of them there at the moment.

In reply to stevez: the biggest distributor of autobelays issued a stop notice as a result, so id be surprised if any uk walls are using them

In reply to stevez:

Yeah Westway can be really funny about belaying, so I doubt it. I remember telling my friend who was leading once that he had accidentally back-clipped, because he had been climbing all day and was really tired. Next thing I know, a couple of instructors come out of nowhere telling him he is not experienced enough to lead, and asking what qualifications he has! Absolutely insane...

Chris

In reply to Chris Ellyatt: Sounds worse than Kendal. do you mean back clipping or z-clipping?

In reply to stevez:

Yeah just back clipping, he definitely didn't Z-clip! I just think it's ridiculous. They're clearly doing it out of insurance concerns or something, but everyone makes mistakes after a full day's climbing.

Chris

In reply to stewieatb:

I think the guys at Kendal wall are pretty chilled.

In reply to Chris Ellyatt: Bah. One wall I climb at has no instructors, no floorwalkers, just some dude who turns up once in a while from the shop that owns it, checking tickets. I love it. It's sweet up north.

In reply to stewieatb:

Ingleton, per-chance?

In reply to Ghastly Rubberfeet: The man knows his stuff people

In reply to stewieatb:

My local wall, which is actually one half of the sports hall is like this, If I get there early I also have to drag the mats out as well. No belay check or instructors, just a notice saying use this wall at your own risk

In reply to stewieatb:

Long may it continue. Ingleton is a great place to train and Alan is a legend!!

In reply to stevez: To be fair, if someone is too tired to climb at 100% (by your own admission) then I think its time they go home. Thats how accidents happen...

In reply to stevez:

You need to explain that !!

In reply to Benny 1664:

Ok fair enough I suppose - we did stop climbing after that. But it more the massive overreaction from the staff that I was annoyed about. It made me feel quite unwelcome to be honest, when they started openly criticising us just because of a back-clip.

Chris