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Throwing Rocks off Cliffs

Original Post
Brandon R · · CA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 194

Read the following as a rant, a PSA, or just me sharing an experience.
 
Twice this summer I have nearly been hit by rocks thrown by people at the top of the cliff, many big enough to easily kill. In July, a lot of rocks came down from the top of the Main Wall at Lover's Leap. It lasted for about 20 minutes, and they were landing in different locations (near Tombstone all the way to near Hospital Corner. The pattern, differing locations, and period of time in which it lasted strongly leads me to believe this wasn't natural. 

Then, last Sunday the same story happened to me at the Black Wall in Donner (base of Mr. Clean). We yelled at the top of our lungs, but the rocks kept coming down. After we retreated half way down the approach, we could see several people standing at the very top. We clearly watched one of them toss another rock off. We yelled again, they looked at us, then casually walked out of view. While we couldn't make out exactly what they looked like, we could make out their physiques and color of one of their shirts. This time though, I was angry enough to go look for the trundlers, and we actually caught up to them on the PCT and confronted them. I questioned them and their story changed enough to feel pretty damn confident these were our guys. While I really wanted to deliver a dose of backcountry justice, we were outnumbered 2 to 1, not really wanting to be on the wrong side of the law, and there was a very slight possibility that it wasn't them. So in the end, they just had to endure a rather aggressive lecture from me about not throwing rocks off cliffs. Anyway, if you see these idiots out near your crag, make sure you wear your helmet.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911

In more urban parts of the east coast the rocks have all been tossed so all that's left is bottles and cans. I have been sprayed with Coke and beer from CT to NH, they throw full containers around here

Ryan Pfleger · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 25

Thanks for chewing their ass off at least. Not sure if their rock throwing would constitute criminal negligence in CA. I imagine it would if they continued to throw rocks after they knew people were under them.  

Remember this? https://www.outsideonline.com/1918036/death-pete-absolon

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Ryan Pfleger wrote: Thanks for chewing their ass off at least. Not sure if their rock throwing would constitute criminal negligence in CA. I imagine it would if they continued to throw rocks after they knew people were under them.  

Remember this? https://www.outsideonline.com/1918036/death-pete-absolon

Quite the story. Thanks for posting. Unlikely the non-climbing, rock trundlers would see it, but a stark reminder of the danger of "just throwing a rock."

Benjamin Chapman · · Small Town, USA · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 19,611
This post violated Guideline #1 and has been removed.
Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989
Benjamin Chapman wrote: Don't get so worked up...rock throwing, trundling, rolling rocks off precipices is human nature, especially is locations that have easy access to the summit. Wear a helment!

I was climbing in Wyoming, at the bottom of a canyon, and I kept hearing small pebbles hit the (very slow moving) water. Then a rock the size of a brick, one that would cream my helmet and my skull in one smooth motion, hit the water.

I shouted up “the next motherfucker who throws a rock is getting tossed themselves”The 8 year old culprits and their mother were, I am told, very surprised at that. My partner, who was building an anchor at the top when I shouted that, told me that the local guidebook author then educated said culprits on why you shouldn’t throw rocks in climbing areas.
In any case, if you think any helmet will protect you from a 10 pound rock at terminal velocity, you’re in for a painful surprise.
Hamish Hamish · · Fredericksburg, VA · Joined May 2017 · Points: 15
Petsfed wrote:In any case, if you think any helmet will protect you from a 10 pound rock at terminal velocity, you’re in for a painful surprise.

That’s why they call it terminal ;)

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
Benjamin Chapman wrote: Don't get so worked up...rock throwing, trundling, rolling rocks off precipices is human nature, especially is locations that have easy access to the summit. Wear a helment!

Are you saying it's "no big deal"? You might think differently if rocks were being thrown down where you're climbing.

Chalk in the Wind · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 3
Benjamin Chapman wrote: Don't get so worked up...rock throwing, trundling, rolling rocks off precipices is human nature, especially is locations that have easy access to the summit. Wear a helment!

1/10

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Benjamin Chapman wrote: Don't get so worked up...rock throwing, trundling, rolling rocks off precipices is human nature, especially is locations that have easy access to the summit. Wear a helment!

What was the point of this post?

Jeff G · · Colorado · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,108
Benjamin Chapman wrote: Don't get so worked up...rock throwing, trundling, rolling rocks off precipices is human nature, especially is locations that have easy access to the summit. Wear a helment!

Do you know the Pete Absolon story?  It's a huge f'ing deal.

Chris Little · · Albuquerque N.M. · Joined Jul 2017 · Points: 0

People with bad manners is bad enough. Throwing rocks off the top is deliberately trying to kill somebody, in my opinion. Every body carries a camera these days. Get the jerks picture. Call the police/park rangers. Let them know what is going on. Demand signs warning people know of the hazards and punishments for throwing rocks. If somebody gets hurt or killed, identify the throwers. Confront these idiots. Be proactive. I've had to deal with this crap before. It sucks. Eventually, just about every climber will. Stick together. Good luck. I hope nobody gets hurt.

Harumpfster Boondoggle · · Between yesterday and today. · Joined Apr 2018 · Points: 148
Benjamin Chapman wrote: Don't get so worked up...rock throwing, trundling, rolling rocks off precipices is human nature, especially is locations that have easy access to the summit. Wear a helment!

Dafuq?

Harumpfster Boondoggle · · Between yesterday and today. · Joined Apr 2018 · Points: 148
Nate Tastic wrote: I know, right? Helmets are for noobs :-P

NOOB!

Sent you a text, you coming to Bowman tomorrow? Sunsplash lot at 8am.

NOOB.

  
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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