Greetings fellow spider monkeys,

I would just like to bring something up and ask for some advice on how to approach a situation.

On Sunday morning i visit Strubens for a quick climb. before warming up a lady ask me if i could belay her. I began chatting with her and found out that she had been climbing for about 2 months and she is just a beginner. she then began to climb, this is where things get a bit weird for me. The first clip she put in was in correct, the orientation of the rope was clip so that a back clip could reuslt in a fall. (one of the first thing i was taught when i began climbing). when i told her it was wrong she inquired why and said that she had never thought of that!?!

after showing her the correct orientation of how the rope should be clipped, she continued to the top with the correct technique.

When she got to the top, she the proceeded to set up the anchors through the chains!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Again i asked her why she did this, she responded that that's what she was taught. When she had her feet on the ground i asked her who had taught her these techniques, she said the school that she was with. she pointed the guy out. what then shocked me even more was that she told me that herself and this gentleman were actually giving lessons to beginners?!?

I was shocked, someone with less than 2 months experience in the wrong techniques was giving lessons to begging and charging them for it!?! Now I never spoke to the instructor about any of this, but in any case, he was allowing people with very little experience take charge of people, never mind the fact that this person was practices dangerous techniques also.

so my question is how does one approach the situation?

My only interest is for people to have a safe day on the crags

Don't trouble yourself with these problems. Evolution will sort it out.

No but seriously... who is this dude?

Name and shame

Can you elaborate on what you mean "she set up the anchors through the chains"? I didn't quite get the picture!

What a naughty girl.

Assuming that a lower-off system ie hanger and rings has been appropriately qualified, there is no reason for you not to clip in the rings. In fact I usually make a point of clipping the rings to test them (rather they fail when the draws are clipped below you than when someone is toproping without any draws to back them up). For this particular case there may be some other info missing / I don't understand.

Safe climbing people!

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AndyDavies

Hi Adam,

Assuming that this couple are commercially training people (even if they are training people at no charge e.g. school learners) they need to have an appropriate accreditation to instruct or guide (there is a structure for this in SA).

If an accident were to happen - it is usually followed by legal action (and sometimes a hospital/funeral) against the people/company who are running the show.

You've done the right thing by bringing this matter up. The people in question need to be made aware of the correct way in which to go about training (for everyone's benefit).
If you prefer not to mention them on the forum, you can mail the details and I'll get in touch with them - justin@climb.co.za

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Climb ZA - Administrator

Hi

Justin is absolutely correct. There are systems in place in SA to properly accredit trainers (MDT) or guides taking people out for money (NQF). Before I started the Climbing Academy I made sure I first got the appropriate MDT qualification even though I have over 30 years of climbing experience. I feel that if somebody is going to be taken out climbing they should ask the organisation if they are accredited, and show them the certificate. There is a group who go often to Strubans taking people climbing, but according to their web site they are accredited.