Free solo with a rope?

Do you think is ethically irresponsible to free solo without a rope? I think the movie would have been more impressive with a rope what do you guys think?

I think it’s ethically irresponsible of you to keep making these threads

I’ve actually seen a guy solo an easy route to set up a tr on a harder route with a shared anchor. It wasn’t to tr solo either. He had a partner and waved him off when he tried to put him on belay 

seen it before, they rapped down on it. high school kids too, harnessed up .

I solo to be as close as possible to perfection. If you have a rope, perfection isn't necessary. When you sport or trade climb, you're trusting your rope and gear with your life. When you solo, you are only trusting yourself. (And the rock, don't solo choss)

Edit: it's also a great way to ruffle your feathers

My favorite soloing with a rope video. The doling out of some solo education is a bonus too. 

1/10

Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

Do you think is ethically irresponsible to free solo without a rope? I think the movie would have been more impressive with a rope what do you guys think?

If you can free solo with a rope... Can you climb barefoot with shoes on?

Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

Do you think is ethically irresponsible to free solo without a rope? I think the movie would have been more impressive with a rope what do you guys think?

WTF are you talking about? Free solo = no rope.

Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

Do you think is ethically irresponsible to free solo without a rope? I think the movie would have been more impressive with a rope what do you guys think?

https://www.climbing.com/news/real-rock-climber/

Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

Do you think is ethically irresponsible to free solo without a rope? I think the movie would have been more impressive with a rope what do you guys think?

There were a lot of ropes used in the making of Free Solo, the movie. Don't worry. 

Marc801 C wrote:

WTF are you talking about? Free solo = no rope.

Free= climbing without the assistance of gear with only body strength
Solo= No partner

I don't see how that definition means you cannot bring a rope. In rumney people bring a rope up with them so they can rap down after they solo. 

In the movie and his book they discuss him bailing off of solos. Seems like the safest way to do this would be to bring a rope with you so you can bail rather than depend on camera men and random climbers to bail. I also think the extra weight and having a rope to possibly obstruct the ascent would be more impressive in style! 

Andrew Rice wrote:

There were a lot of ropes used in the making of Free Solo, the movie. Don't worry.

Exactly, so it leaves you with the question should one bring a rope up with them as they solo?

Definitely people free solo with a rope so that they can rap off.  The only rule of free soloing is don’t fall.  But  personally I think it’s a pain to carry a rope. 

Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

I don't see how that definition means you cannot bring a rope. In rumney people bring a rope up with them so they can rap down after they solo. 

Once again, Trevstar trying to complicate and muddle something simple, all for the sake of an entertaining forum. I have no issue with this, just another troll job done well. We may have the old Trevstar back.

I’ll play along though. You’re not concerned about the actual free solo. You’re concerned about the descent. That’s a distinction that needs to be addressed and mentioned.

The only way down is up.

Brandon R wrote:

My favorite soloing with a rope video. The doling out of some solo education is a bonus too.

omg, I LOVE this video............

Some would say free soloing in the first place is unethical.. but I don't think whether you bring a rope or not contributes to the ethicality of a free solo. 

Why would you bring a rope on a free solo if you didn't need to rap?  I don't think most people want to go into a free solo with the possibility of having to bail/rap off mid route. 

Colton Schultz wrote:

….Why would you bring a rope on a free solo if you didn't need to rap?  I don't think most people want to go into a free solo with the possibility of having to bail/rap off mid route. 

While most are thinking rock, I believe ice soloing is much more common (at least relatively) 

Mostly it’s for the quick rap afterwards, but even if a walk-off is possible, for ice solos, I trail a rope.   Over the years I’ve broken axes, crampons, and plastic boots (back in the day when it used to be cold and plastic was the shizzle) while on route, and being able to fire in a screw and bail if needed gives peace of mind for that rare occurrence.

On rock, I always feel like I’d be the guy in that video.  Counterintuitively, I feel way more solid on ice 

Colton Schultz wrote:

Why would you bring a rope on a free solo if you didn't need to rap?  I don't think most people want to go into a free solo with the possibility of having to bail/rap off mid route. 

Unlikely mid-route…but some routes require a rappel to descend. I’m pretty sure one of the flatirons is one of these situations where they are often “free solo’d” while carrying a rope and harness and then are rapped off the backside. 

Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

Free= climbing without the assistance of gear with only body strength
Solo= No partner

I don't see how that definition means you cannot bring a rope. In rumney people bring a rope up with them so they can rap down after they solo. 

In the movie and his book they discuss him bailing off of solos. Seems like the safest way to do this would be to bring a rope with you so you can bail rather than depend on camera men and random climbers to bail. I also think the extra weight and having a rope to possibly obstruct the ascent would be more impressive in style! 

Exactly, so it leaves you with the question should one bring a rope up with them as they solo?

“Free solo climbing, or free soloing, is a form of technical ice or rock climbing where the climbers climb alone without ropes, harnesses or other protective equipment, forcing them to rely entirely on their own individual preparation, strength, and skill.” Wikipedia

The rope you’re talking about is just for descent, like bringing approach shoes up with you for the walk down. Stop trying to redefine established terminology. 

3rd flatiron, solo up, rap off the back (2 or 3 raps).  I have been told there is a good downclimb route, but I don't enjoy downclimbing that far!