In reply to Grinning Donkey: Condolences to friends and family, so tragic. I was checking the BBC page hoping for the best, but fearing the worst, take care out there people.
In reply to Grinning Donkey: News like this is always a blow to the climbing community. Will be interesting to see the circumstances that lead to this. My condolences to everyone involved with these two climbers.
In reply to Phill Mitch: I'm sure you would....
Thoughts with the families.
ClaireMartin16 Jun 2013
In reply to Grinning Donkey: The two climbers who lost their lives are friends of mine. They were both very experienced and skilled people. Their names have not been released yet so I shall respect their families by not doing so. My husband had been invited to climb with them this weekend but he is overseas and so could not go with them. I am devastated for all who knew them and I will try to pass on the thoughts expressed here when I see their friends and relatives tomorrow and on Tuesday.
In reply to Grinning Donkey: we must remember.....climbing is a dangerous sport . We all know the risks. Pray god for them and their families at this time.
In reply to ClaireMartin: Yeah, hope the comments on the forum offer their families some measure of comfort. Peace and serenity to all who knew them. When climbing bites back it's often sore.
The younger of the two climbers was a friend I had climbed with on a few occasions. As said above their names have not been released and thus I won't either. He was a very talented and experienced climber for his age, always a good laugh and fun to climb with. A true loss. My thoughts are with the families, rest in peace guys.
In reply to Grinning Donkey: First got wind of this late Sat night and was hoping for some good news come Sunday morning, but unfortunately not to be. RIP both and condolences......
> (In reply to ADHD) I doubt we'll ever find out exactly what happend due to the circumstances.
I would guess that a leader fall took out both the leader as well as a possibly unbelayed second - but the cause of that fall will never be known. As someone else has suggested - let's wait for a well-researched verdict.
In reply to andyathome: The incident is horribly reminiscent of the accident in which Robert Brown and Arnis Strapcans fell from Spider's Web, as a result of a belay failing.