"The leader never falls..."

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 17 of total 17 in this topic
Gunkie

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 31, 2015 - 08:19am PT
Does anyone else remember that line? Was that a Gaston Rébuffat line or something from Basic Rockcraft?

As I'm getting older, I'm becoming more and more aware of hitting things in the event of a fall. I'm just thinking about the poor guy who fell on Iron Messiah. Ouchies. Get better.

Stay safe.
WBraun

climber
Mar 31, 2015 - 08:23am PT
Yes ....

The "Leader" never ever falls.

It's impossible for the "Leader" ever to fall.

It's never ever been possible nor done.

Otherwise it wouldn't be "The Leader" .......
rgold

Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
Mar 31, 2015 - 09:04am PT
I think the original wording is, "the leader must not fall."

Definitely before Rebuffat. I'd guess it came from the early British rock-climbers.
jgill

Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
Mar 31, 2015 - 10:53am PT
Geoffrey Winthrop Young in one of his books.
Jones in LA

Mountain climber
Tarzana, California
Mar 31, 2015 - 12:59pm PT
I'm a high-mileage guy also, but it's kind a funny these days -- I'm probably less concerned about falling than I've ever been (in 40+ years of climbing) when the pro is good and the pathway downward is smooth & clear, and more cautious then ever when the pro is shaky and/or I could hit something on the way down. I've definitely taken more leader falls in the last 5 years than the previous 35+ years combined.

Rich Jones
TWP

Trad climber
Mancos, CO & Bend, OR
Mar 31, 2015 - 01:30pm PT
"The leader must never fall" is my mantra. That and Werner's "You can't fall if you never let go." If I've got Werner's quote wrong, would someone please correct me?

P.S. Though I've taken up climbing plastic in the gym, I still don't want to allow my mind to be polluted with the gym ethic of "It's OK to fall." Outside, it's not. Ever. In my book. But that's just my opinionated bloviation.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Mar 31, 2015 - 01:54pm PT
RR's mantra was "Fail falling."

Leaders fall all the time outside climbing.

Don't go there, though, except at your own risk (and consequently at the risk of your partner).

It's dangerous!

Go where the folks are afraid to fall and it's a truly gray place, dull and un-invigorating, just like the ST has supposedly become.

WBraun

climber
Mar 31, 2015 - 01:55pm PT
The real never falls ever.

But us mortals always fall according to time and circumstance and thus we are only limited leaders.

Thus we try to always follow "The Real leader" the best we can .......
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Mar 31, 2015 - 01:56pm PT
The leader never intends to fall.
richross

Trad climber
Mar 31, 2015 - 02:23pm PT
healyje

Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
Mar 31, 2015 - 03:01pm PT
There ya go Rich - yep, if you're not falling you're likely not climbing steep hangs and roofs because falling kind of goes with the territory.
jgill

Boulder climber
The high prairie of southern Colorado
Mar 31, 2015 - 04:55pm PT
The expression arose in the late 1800s because of the horrific state of belaying . . . a skill in its infancy and associated with pathetic natural fiber ropes.


On the other hand, it should be a maxim for group free-soloing.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Mar 31, 2015 - 07:59pm PT
Fall, fail, flail along with send, cruise, hike are all a part of the leading experience.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
extraordinaire
Mar 31, 2015 - 08:22pm PT
The cheese grater to ankle-snap dismount.
Stewart Johnson

climber
lake forest
Mar 31, 2015 - 08:39pm PT
The leader must not fall
Unless at work off a stepladder
susu

Trad climber
East Bay, CA
Mar 31, 2015 - 11:22pm PT
"The leader never falls..." sounds like a brainwashing chant. As chance would have it, we of course all fall.Just hope to set oneself up for perceptibly less risk rather than more when letttng go.If then circumstance seems right, to fall trying is downright noble.
thebravecowboy

climber
Lost Park
Mar 31, 2015 - 11:28pm PT
some do , some don't.


I like to stick to the right on this issue.
Messages 1 - 17 of total 17 in this topic
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta