Weekend Whipper: Flubbed Clip, Big Whip

Last climb of the day, “everyone decided it was my turn to lead,” Michael Presgraves told Rock and Ice.

“I was excited to lead for my first time,” says Presgraves, “didn’t know if I was ready, but I went anyways.”

After making an overhead clip, a friend, responsibly, asked him about the orientation. Presgraves responded that the side of the rope attached to him was “the one going over” the carabiner—the correct way.

Presgraves mistakenly thought he was back-clipped and unclipped to fix the rope, then lost his grip. With slack in the system, Presgraves went for a ride. Luckily, he was okay.

Lesson: If you’re new to leading, learn the difference between a proper clip and a back-clip before leaving the ground. If you back-clip and do not have the strength to fix the mistake, take. Clip in direct if you can and fix the rope, or rest until you’ve recovered enough to unclip and re-clip safely.

Bottom line—listen to intuition when it comes to leading. Presgraves didn’t feel ready for his lead and should have waited for another day.

As always, wear a helmet and stay safe out there!

Video submitted by Michael Presgraves.