[thedailysend]

Overhangs and heel hooks all day. #tdsclimbing #thedailysend always chasing.

[thedailysend]

Adam Shaw Crane onsighting Johnny Cash V5

[thedailysend]

We're all just monkeys here.

[thedailysend]

Crack on

original post from Jeffery Snyder

[thedailysend]

Original comment from Jefferey Snyder of Arizona:

‘Kookachoo’ at the Breezeblocks. Nice agave landing zone…3 pads seemed to be just enough to keep the death spikes from poking all the way through the pads

[thedailysend]

Pufferfish at Priest draw, Flagstaff AZ with Sean Brady

[thedailysend]

A bug on the wall

[thedailysend]

Burst.

[jazzbruce]

Photo by Tommy Caldwell

[thedailysend]

Rise.

and

Shine.

[hernameismikka]

Be boulder in life. 📷: @shancholakian (at Stoney Point)

[thedailysend]

Oh we full of cheese ^.^

[house-under-a-rock]

Beach bouldering in El Nido Palawan, Philippines

photo: Alain Denis

[thedailysend]

Where there is rock and beauty, you will find a happy human.

[dirt-legends]

Utah

The Obelisk V9, Joe’s Valley

Photo by @waywardbelle

[thedailysend]

Gotta love delicately placed pads for a catch.

[thedailysend]

Really setting yourself up for success there buddy.

[thedailysend]

Climbing the line between light and dark

[thedailysend]

Psychological Science of Free Soloing

“Off Belay!” Risk Taking and Ethics in Rock Climbing”

There have been several papers recently that discuss the question of risk-taking in rock climbing and how it relates to the ethics of the sport. One in particular, “The Ethics of Free Soloing” by Marcus Agnafors, asks whether or not the risk-taking that one does in free soloing makes those who engage in it unethical people. Agnafors suggests that if risk-taking in rock climbing is causally associated with higher levels of risk-taking in other areas of a climber’s life, then choosing to take the risk of activities like free soloing can be seen to be unethical since it leads to other unethical behaviors. Agnafors ultimately argues that free soloing is not unethical, but leaves open the question of whether or not there is a causal link between the risk-taking of rock climbing and risk-taking elsewhere in one’s life, and if there is, in which direction the causality runs.

What we are doing in this project is undertaking both quantitative and qualitative data collection regarding sensation seeking, risk assessment, and risk taking behavior among rock climbers in order to answer the question of whether risk-taking in rock climbing is causally associated, or even correlated, with other unethical behaviors and so itself unethical. To assess this question we have distributed questionnaires and interviewed rock climbers who engage in bouldering, top-roping, sport climbing, trad climbing and free soloing. We are examining both the personality trait of sensation seeking and the pattern of risk taking behaviors inside and outside the sport of climbing. We have then assessed the connection between rock climbing and other risky behaviors in climbers’ lives by asking questions that draw out the timing of these behaviors to determine whether the risk-taking of rock climbing precedes other risky behaviors or vice versa.

Our early data suggest that risk-taking in rock climbing cannot be shown to be a factor in risk-taking elsewhere in one’s life. This helps buoy the argument made by Agnafors and others who claim rock climbing is an ethical sport, despite the acceptance of great risk.

Another aspect of the project is considering how one should best go about making decisions regarding situations that put not only oneself in great risk, but unavoidably imposes risks upon others. There are philosophical theories about how one can best make ethical decisions in these situations. Through our interviews with free-soloers we have found that those who free-solo naturally engage in the kinds of thought processes that philosophers suggest are appropriate to such situations.

We aim to continue this project be continuing to gather data from a wider population of climbers. We are still seeking anyone interested in taking our quantitative survey and are especially interested in interviewing those who regularly engaged (or have regularly engaged) in free-soloing. If you are interested in participating please contact either Dr. Gina Gonzalez ([email protected]) or Dr. Christina Conroy ([email protected]).

[climb-casedia-climb]

@xchrissimmonsx committing hard on Cyclops, V5/6. It’s always great climbing with ya, brah. #redrocks #bouldering #climbing #climbing_pictures_of_instagram @jtreelife @organicclimbing @evolvusa (at Red Rock Canyons Las Vegas)

[thedailysend]

Sticking a crimp with the back three is impressive! It’s always tough getting your pinky to do its share of work!

[mycoletteloc24]

this time next week i’ll be in seattle for my first, and I believe biggest, #ROCKProject ! Really stoked to be part of this initiative that’s helping to spread the word and stoke to our ever growing climbing community. Anyone in the area that is interested in being part of the event should check the link in my profile for more info! 📷 @mikkomaek @blackdiamond @accessfund #CommittothePact

[thedailysend]

Anytime you can successfully utilize a knee bar outside is badass.