Weekend Whipper: Short-Roped Slammer

[Whipper at 2:00]

Natalie D. takes a spill on Heart of Darkness (5.10d/11a), a classic traditional route in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Natalie has the crack sewn up with gear and doesn’t fall far, but she receives a hard catch from her belayer which slams her back into the wall.

She was above her last piece of gear before peeling away from the rock, and made the mistake of yelling, “Take!” instead of “Falling.” On instinct, her belayer sucked in slack, resulting in a static catch.

Better communication and a more dynamic belay would have saved the skin on Natalie’s knee.

Check out this video on How to Take and Catch a Lead Fall for more lead-belaying information.

Stay safe out there!