In reply to bpmclimb:
> (In reply to The Lemming)
> [...]
>
> And I, for what it's worth, don't buy into that theory. I can think of cases where I've learned more from intelligent, independent speculation than from "qualified" people, who may in fact have various vested interests.
The trouble with speculation, is that no matter how intelligent or experienced the speculator, it is still speculation - you've as much chance of being wrong, as right.
Many years ago, a dear friend of mine died in 15' fall when his runner ripped, and he landed awkwardly, and hit the side of his head (temple) on a boulder.
I can imagine what the response from the many 'experts' on UKC would have been, completely unaware that 3 weeks earlier he had just completed a season in the alps which included The Freney Pillar, Chechinal Nominee, American Direct etc, and earlier that year had done Nabisco Wall, NW Face Half Dome, North America Wall etc in Yosemite - I know this because I was privileged to have been tied to the other end of his rope on each of them.
The fact is, freak accidents can happen to the best of us, and no amount of speculation and pontificating will change that.
As fellow climbers, the first thing we should do, is show some respect, and wait for the FACTS!