Clif Bar drops 5 climbers citing dangers of sport

[paige.]

I think you guys and this article completely misunderstood CLIFBARs decision. They're not against highlining, their against Jai Alaing... which is an insanely dangerous sport.

Okay, that would make more sense. Their open letter states they are no longer sponsoring athletes primarily known for highlining so I assumed they had taken issue with the sport on a broader scale.

 

[theabortionator]

I can understand it. It sucks for the athletes but I can understand not wanting to be involved in a sport where the risks are very high.

Obviously extreme sports in general are dangerous but they decided that these particular sports are beyond where they're willing to be.

 

[ModMommy]

I'm still pissed over this.

 

[seanahue.]

disclaimer: i know nothing about climbing.

n00b question: how the fuck do free solo climbers get down once the line is completed? i mean, i'm sure some of the routes have semi-hikable/climbable lines down, but what if they don't? does someone else bring ropes and set a different line to rappel down?

 

[reBlocke]

disclaimer: i know nothing about climbing.

n00b question: how the fuck do free solo climbers get down once the line is completed? i mean, i'm sure some of the routes have semi-hikable/climbable lines down, but what if they don't? does someone else bring ropes and set a different line to rappel down?

They usually choose routes you can walk off of. On routes you can't, you can bring a skinny rope to rappel off with. Climbing ropes have to be thicker and dynamic (ie be able to stretch some) to catch a fall. You can rappel on a thinner, static line.

(On the pictures you see, the photog is usually using ropes to get in position so they probably just use that)