While indoor climbing offers a controlled environment without many of the variables that bring added danger to outdoor climbing, it is not without its hazards as evidenced by the following video taken at a climbing gym in New Jersey.
This climber was just beginning his ascent of wall when a climbing hold snapped off and sent him tumbling backwards. Thankfully his partner was alert and managed to break his fall on belay. It happens in an instant and what is not apparent in the video is the broken climbing hold shot directly into the falling climber’s eye.
Thankfully the man only walked away with a small scratch on his eyeball and a backache but the consequences could have been far worse if not for the quick reaction time of his partner. Excellent belay catch, well done:
“For context, I climb regularly with a group of guys all in our 40’s/50’s. The climber in this video has 30+ years of experience and he was leading a 5.10 at Gravity Vault in Middletown, NJ.
Shortly after the first clip, a side pull/underclingy jug in his left hand shears right off the wall. The hold shot directly at his face like a rocket and proceeded to ricochet off his left eye. In the end, the protection did what it’s supposed to do, and he walked away with a small scratch on his eyeball and a backache.
Thankfully our friend belaying was paying attention and didn’t feed too much rope, prior to the fall. This could have ended SO much worse. It’s eye opening how quickly everything happens when it’s completely unexpected.”
