In reply to Lone Rider:
Well, I'll start with the ground anchor you're using. Any anchoring in an indoor climbing wall should be rated for 8kn (800kg in general terms) for 10 seconds. 3 belay bags doesn't even come close to satisfying that requirement.
Solo climbing? This is so far out of the remit of the ABC (and BMC) that I can't even find a mention of it. Even on a top rope, no reputable wall would allow it. On lead, if you had an accident the insurance company would not even countenance a claim. If you managed to black out (possible if you've managed to slam into a wall hard enough to dislocate something) will the staff know how to get you down? Bet not. Do you trust them to lower you safely, whilst unconcious, on an unfamiliar device?
Plus, it's bloody inconsiderate. Even if you think you're safe, the wall staff will forever be fielding complaints from other punters or having to watch out for people possibly less well equiped than you trying it on a shunt or something equivalent (well, if he can, why can't I?)
Have you noticed that route setters always have a second back up line when setting off ropes? There's a reason for this and it's not just to haul the bag up!
i am pretty sure that any wall that condoned this would lose it's ABC accreditation in pretty quick order. And any wall adviser that recommended this should, in my opinion, be out of a job and, indeed, the industry.
Have you wondered why the old advisor was replaced?
I leave you with a quote from the Soloist instruction manual.
Falling while climbing solo is extremely dangerous. Any solo belay method should be regarded as a last resort that may allow you to survive the fall, but no system, including the Soloist, can guarantee your safety in a fall. Your first rule while climbing must be: Don’t Fall.
P.s. Graeme Alderson, Dave Douglas or anyone else in the 'trade', please feel free to correct me!
Post edited at 21:47