Free to fall: No extra safety precautions for rock climbers despite American tourist’s death 

By Tavee Adam

 

A rock climber hangs from one of the sheer rock faces at Ao Nang. Photo: Chen Hu
 

PHUKET: Officials at the Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, the Krabi Tourist Police and even the Ao Nang Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) all will do nothing to help prevent another rock climbing accident at Railay Beach, famed for its sheer rock faces that visiting tourists scale while on holiday in the area.

 

The confirmation that no extra precautionary measures will be taken for rock climbers follows the death of American tourist Priell Schmalbach, who fell while climbing at Railay Beach last Tuesday (Oct 16).

 

He was recovered from the scene unconscious, never to wake again. His family asked for Mr Schmalbach to be taken off life support last Wednesday night (Oct 17). (See stories here and here.)

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/free-to-fall-no-extra-safety-precautions-for-rock-climbers-despite-american-tourist-death-69119.php#qg33z2IHFEySaEqj.97

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-10-27

What a stupid title! What do them want to do? Forbid the access? Force people to go in groups with guide?... The big attraction of such places if free climbing. People who do so know risks they may take, but it's part of the fun and the attraction of this sport. Keep it free (of rules) !

12 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

What a stupid title! What do them want to do? Forbid the access? Force people to go in groups with guide?... The big attraction of such places if free climbing. People who do so know risks they may take, but it's part of the fun and the attraction of this sport. Keep it free (of rules) !

I agree. People who does this type of activity, do it because they get a kick/thrill from the danger that is involved. It's the same with people using drugs, gambling, driving at very high speeds etc. Your brain will release 'chemicals' that make you feel good. If activities like these would be 100% safe, without any risks, they would be pointless.

9 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

I agree. People who does this type of activity, do it because they get a kick/thrill from the danger that is involved. It's the same with people using drugs, gambling, driving at very high speeds etc. Your brain will release 'chemicals' that make you feel good. If activities like these would be 100% safe, without any risks, they would be pointless.

I don't agree, i was doing quite a lot of climbing, on mountains and walls, and i can assure you that most of the people get quite a thrill in doing that with as much precautions as they can get.

It's not clear though, in this case, if the poor American guy was unlucky or just reckless.

 "Officials at the Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, the Krabi Tourist Police /// all will do nothing to help prevent another rock climbing accident at Railay Beach, ..."

 

Good! Post signs warning of the extreme risk of accidents and fatalities.

Climb at your own risk.  You fall---you die.

Rock climbing, especially free climbing is an extremely dangerous sport.

 

Snowflake attempts to make it safer are impossible.

 

No one can prevent another accident from happening other than banning climbing outright and that's not going to happen (nor should it).

I heard that they were installing giant trampolines around the base.

11 minutes ago, DoctorG said:

I heard that they were installing giant trampolines around the base.

Sometimes no need of giant trampolines;

I was lucky to stay a few years near Marseille, France,

with many climbing tracks were just above the sea 

 

etc.

There are the nanny-staters who want to save us all, and there are those (like myself) who embrace a laissez-faire notion that we are all responsible for our own lives.  If you want to base-jump, then base-jump.  If you want to fly in a wing suit, fly in a wing suit.  If you want to ski down uncharted territory on a mountain, feel free.  If you want to free-climb without a belay - it's your death if you miscalculate.  So Thailand is taking the 'hand-off' approach.  Kudos.  No doubt this just aggravates the hell out of those who embrace Big Nanny regulating our collective lives. 

As the Thais say,' Up to you!'

9 minutes ago, bannork said:

As the Thais say,' Up to you!'

And down if you slip/

Pay your money, you take your chances. 

Rock climbing is dangerous, everyone who does this sport knows that perfectly well. The only thing this article does is to put pressure on authorities and they might ban climbing as a consequence. 

 

What I find strange is that they won’t give any explanation on how the accident happened. Was he free-soloing or doing something stupid?

6 hours ago, Vacuum said:

I agree. People who does this type of activity, do it because they get a kick/thrill from the danger that is involved. It's the same with people using drugs, gambling, driving at very high speeds etc. Your brain will release 'chemicals' that make you feel good. If activities like these would be 100% safe, without any risks, they would be pointless.

More foreigners killed cycling in Thailand than falling while rock climbing.

Some activities aren't safe, some places aren't safe.

 

Thus the term ... "free climbing". 

Your climb, your responsibility, full stop.

They should forbid it...it gives the place and the country a bad name....soon the chinese all go to see that killer rock and make pics.