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Andrew
SpectatorThe Committee’s view on climbing is our opinion on climbing as an activity whenever contemplated.
ASpectatorJust a brief note to say the Committee has adopted a common position to keep this thread up to date after yesterdays announcements.
All activities remain subject to 2 metre social distancing of course. This implies travelling in separate cars. It also remains most desirable to respect the apprehensions of local residents in the areas we visit.The increase in meetings to six people means that small walking groups can be within these rules. The Committee think that not travelling too far is wise, and taking twice the ususal number. of cars to the Lake District would be inappropriate.
The position on climbing has not changed. Sadly, the Committee think that a resumption of climbing would be premature. The simple reason is a feeling that to engage in repeated proximity and continual hand to hand exchange of equipment, which would be frowned upon in a park or garden, seems like “doing a Dominic” by any double standards. Whilst the “r” number remains high, we are all urged to follow the guidance carefully to minimise the risk of any more of them pesky Covids getting out of the box.
ANDREWSpectatorBravo, Loch.
It’s been an interesting day in which we have explored most of the corners.
Plenty of food for thought
ANDREW
SpectatorThe BMC have made three grievous errors.
Firstly. Both the hillwalking and the climbing guidance are written from a “me, me” point of view and there is no reference in these to local communities / parking / future relationships.
Second. We see in the political sphere how any complex statement gets translated down to a simple headline or slogan. The BMC has produced complex climbing guidelines. It must know, or ought to realise, that this will get translated into “the BMC say climbing is OK” and many people will ignore the nuances.
Thirdly. The BMC have chosen a tactic of trying to weave and wriggle climbing to fit current guidelines. For example ” there will be numerous challenges in staying 2m apart from others and these need to be planned for in advance.” Who really believes that the majority of climbers, the majority of the time, can achieve this whilst doing all the cleaning etc etc. So either the BMC has got carried away and not paused to reflect how things will actually be, or they do realise folk often won’t succeed or bother, and they are happy to provide a fig leaf.
I would have preferred a BMC with the honesty, cojones, and priority to the national interest, to say that taking account of the practicalities and behaviour, we should for the time being stay our hand.
This is not the first time I have been disappointed with the BMC. Or the second time. Or even the third time. So the pedestal upon which I put them, is only a very small one. And right at the bottom of the garden
ANDREW
SpectatorThis is not about rock climbing. We should not think it is about us as climbers.
A small-scale hill famer may lose his livelihood if he falls ill, or may have vulnerable people at home. We should not presume to judge whether the fears of country people are justified: we do know they exist. At many locations parking and sometimes crag access depend on the tolerance of locals. We will all need that in the future. Hence I trust that simple courtesy will keep everyone away from the tiny roads and parking at places like Scugdale, Slipstones, Park Nab etc. (Especially if using two cars !!).
Numerous people have lost their jobs, or are about to. Many people live in flats or small houses without gardens. Whatever movement can be tolerated in the community, should first of all allow for such needs of work and simple local fresh air. If we risk resurgence of infections, then the penalty will be paid by the unemployed and by coop-ed up families.
I do not believe that it is possible in a practical situation, to carry out rock climbing whilst truthfully staying 2 metres distance and not sharing equipment. Given the precautions we see in industry and retailing where open, given that playgrounds remain closed, it seems to me, impossible to make such a claim. (Whatever words it is wrapped up in. Even if someone describes a convoluted process for hygiene, I don’t imagine it would in practice be maintained for very long).
So it is my own clear belief, that a decision to go climbing is a decision not to adhere to the guidelines. If that decision is multiplied across several thousand climbers, then I suppose that inevitably it will result in more infections. If the infection rate goes back up, so will unemployment and the problems of those bouncing off 4 walls.
Even in my own nice house and big garden, this is getting rather depressing. But until there are guidelines which clearly sanction repeated equipment exchange and proximity, I would feel very uncomfortable at the crag.
ANDREW -
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