Mountain Project Logo

Who takes longer falls? Tall people or short people?

Original Post
Graham S · · Riverside, CA · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 15

So me and a friend were discussing this at Joshua Tree this weekend.

If a climber who is 6'2" takes a lead fall at the exact same place as a climber who is 5'10", who takes the longer fall?

Assuming you measure the fall from the waist, the taller climber could fall an extra 4" than the shorter climber. Or would it be an extra 8" due to the doubling of the rope? Or would the shorter climber take a longer fall because he's smaller and therefore as a percentage of body length, the fall is longer?

Obviously I'm in no way an expert on the matter, but what do the minds of MP think?

G McG · · Victoria, BC · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 60

If the climbers are falling from the same place and we're talking about measuring the length of fall from their waist, we assume their waists are at the same height above the last piece, therefore they will fall the same distance

mugsy · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 0

The one that actually gets out and climbs.

MojoMonkey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 66
Graham S wrote:So me and a friend were discussing this at Joshua Tree this weekend. If a climber who is 6'2" takes a lead fall at the exact same place as a climber who is 5'10", who takes the longer fall? Assuming you measure the fall from the waist, the taller climber could fall an extra 4" than the shorter climber. Or would it be an extra 8" due to the doubling of the rope? Or would the shorter climber take a longer fall because he's smaller and therefore as a percentage of body length, the fall is longer? Obviously I'm in no way an expert on the matter, but what do the minds of MP think?
Are they both climbing on the same color rope?
Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125

if they're both static, reliable climbers; they will fall the same distance.

however, if one of them is a dynamic, unreliable climber; s/he will fall much further regardless of height. that is, unless s/he can no longer climb because of all the tendon damage that has surely resulted from that style of climbing.

and, if they're both dynamic, unreliable climbers; they're gonna die.

TuRETZ · · Denver, co · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 140
johnL wrote:Tall people fall further because I drop them. Bunch of freaks.
Can't wait to climb with ya on weds John!! Hahahah, Greeaaaaaat!
Wiled Horse · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2002 · Points: 3,669

tall people don't fall because the moves are easier for them

Dobson · · Butte, MT · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 215

Nice, John.

The tall person will fall father, for the simple reason that they're freakishly huge and will yank their reasonably-sized belayer off the ground. Unless we're talking about a tall skinny guy with a short, fat partner. It's my experience that the tall climber will fall more frequently, too.

Greg D · · Here · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 883

Some interesting answers here.

Simply put, height makes no difference, weight does.

If you are trying to make a comparison, you need to have fixed points to measure, such as the tie in point and distance above the last piece of gear.

A tall person falling down a flight of stairs is a whole different story. Their head will certainly fall further before hitting the ground. Ouch.

More important, is your belayer smoking a cig, drinking a pbr or checking out some babe.

daniel arthur · · Auburn,Al · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 35

A picture is worth a kiloword.

fall pic

It is all relative to the reference point though, as well the body frame in question (i.e. some folks have short legs and long torsos...)
So in reality... it will change with most situations.

Bill Dugan · · San Bernardino, CA · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 0
muttonface wrote:Note to self: Don't let johnL belay your freakishly tall ass. Ever.
Mface, do you have a job or ever go climbing? You comment on EVERY thread.
JesseT · · Portland, OR · Joined May 2011 · Points: 100

Depends how you define "the exact same place."

If you're talking about falling from the exact same footholds then the taller climber will fall farther. If you're talking about falling from the exact same handholds then the tall climber will fall a shorter distance. If you're talking about the knot being at the same point on the route then they will fall the same distance (all other factors being equal).

Greg D · · Here · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 883

So there is more than one way to interpret the op's question.

Graham. Are you asking if both climbers feet are at the same distance above last piece of gear or tie in point is at the same distance above last piece.

If they are both standing on the same foot holds, then obviously the tie in point is gonna be higher for the taller person, and yes, a longer fall.

Unless taller guy is a twig weighing in at 140 and 6'2" and shorter guy weighs in at 195 and 5'10".

Brian · · North Kingstown, RI · Joined Sep 2001 · Points: 804

Fat people fall farther.

Jason Halladay · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 15,153
Darren Mabe wrote:tall people don't fall because the moves are easier for them
Unless it's a roof!
Erboutitman · · farmingdale ny · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 5

does 4" matter at all...?

RyanO · · sunshine · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 145
This post violated Rule #1. It has been removed by Mountain Project.
RyanO · · sunshine · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 145
Erboutitman wrote:does 4" matter at all...?
That depends on if you're talking about length or girth.
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

I'm thinking the tall guy is reaching further from the stance, long arms, therefore works, pulls a bit higher up than the stumpy guy and falls further. Stumpy is working through intermediate moves under the reach of giganto', from same stance so if he falls during the move, his waist should still be much less above the last piece. If he moves up to the same higher holds that 'giganto fell from, well then I suppose his waist is also higher thus a longer fall. This is interesting.

This thread is certainly seeing alot of logic and thinking....not as mindless as many of our usual discussions!

Graham S · · Riverside, CA · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 15
MojoMonkey wrote: Are they both climbing on the same color rope?
Hahahaha! Yes they are.

Greg D wrote:So there is more than one way to interpret the op's question. Graham. Are you asking if both climbers feet are at the same distance above last piece of gear or tie in point is at the same distance above last piece. If they are both standing on the same foot holds, then obviously the tie in point is gonna be higher for the taller person, and yes, a longer fall. Unless taller guy is a twig weighing in at 140 and 6'2" and shorter guy weighs in at 195 and 5'10".
The way we were thinking, we would measure the distance starting at it's lowest point, the feet. Otherwise, the taller climber would surely fall further since his knot is higher than his feet and so are his hands, immediately giving the edge to the taller climber. (if not climbing and ugly OW upside down...) But then at the same time what catches the climber?? the rope, so should we consider the tie-in point instead of the feet?

Crag Dweller wrote: they're gonna die.
Well played.

Greg D wrote: More important, is your belayer smoking a cig, drinking a pbr or checking out some babe.
Or a joint. I'm guilty of smoking a cig and probably checking out some hawtie on occasion. However, a joint is something you share IMO.
Greg D · · Here · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 883

In the end, its the guy with the bigger balls that takes longer falls.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Who takes longer falls? Tall people or short p…"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.