Nine-year-old girl dies in a Munich climbing hall

No point answering the content as you will not accept it and continue to an accusative stance that you took with Genie ("Would you let your child jump off a Bungee Tower)...

If I am satisfied that all safety requirements have been met then I would let my daughter participate. Even up to 18 meters and above.

Dude, what are you arguing with me about? Can you name the exact point on which we disagree? I suggested it might be advisable to put a height limit on how high little kids climb in climbing halls. This was thrown in the ring as a suggestion for a possible improvement, not as the end-all be-all of my oh-so-passionate and unchangeable opinion. I think everyone just wants to make sure people are safe while they enjoy themselves. We are all on the same side, so put your weapons on the ground and back away slowly.

I can't wait to take my son climbing when he's old enough! Just how small do they make climbing shoes? Of course, that would be with me or with my husband, and we are VERY safe climbers, double- and triple-checking every knot and belay. I'll definitely take him trad climbing. I'd only allow him to climb with someone else who I have climbed with myself and know their safety practices. One thing I did notice climbing in Germany (only been to Thalkirchen, not Heaven's Gate), though perhaps it was just a false impression, is that they don't seem particularly concerned about emphasizing safety. At my gym here in Berkeley and at the one where I used to climb in Santa Cruz, you have to pass a belay test before you can climb there. If they don't think you'll be focussed enough on safety or you don't set things up properly, then you don't get your belay pass.

My husband and I ALWAYS check each other before each climb - that means checking that the rope is tied to the harness properly, the knot is correct, the harness is buckled and double-backed appropriately, the rope is looped properly through the caribiner and belay device, etc. It was the responsibility of the man in charge of the children and the one belaying to double-check all these things. As sad as it is, and even though he will already suffer for this more than I can imagine, it sounds as though he may indeed have been neglectful.

I always hated that German practice of tying in to the locking caribiner. That just adds in more room for error. One should always tie in directly to the harness.

I'm with Ruthie all the way on this. Of course one can be too over protective in some cases, but expecting people to be supervised by qualified instructors at a climbing centre seems pretty sensible to me. Just being sarcastic about it doesn t help much


I dont know how high these walls are but yeah I would probably get rid of them to be honest

People may moan about the nanny state but some degree of nannying isnt such a bad thing

Right on, right on, and right on. Can I be your kid?


I was exceptionally not being sarcastic. Well, maybe besides the arrest thing. The rest of those questions will have to be answered if you want your policy implemented.


High. Some over 100 meters high. I think getting rid of them is a fantastic idea! It would certainly make the ride to Italy much, um, more level.

ok well there we differ in opinion - I think its perfectly reasonable for such an activity


job definition - supervising the climbing unless, as IPJ, suggested, the people can demonstrate that they can climb ok (some sort of certificate maybe - yeah you'll say thats overregulation)


The state yes why not seems reasonable?


the gym owners obviously


ok, you're talking about mountains - well thats neither here nor there when it comes to supervised facilities. Leave then as they are and let people have accidents on them if they want. Not relevant IMO

You obviously know more about this than I do so maybe I'm missing something - but I agree with Ruthie, just having some random Dad who thinks he knows what he is doing being responsible for kids seems ridiculous - I think I#d prefer to have no such indoor walls than that situation allowed.

No not at all, I took an interest before she went climbing. It was as part of a supervised group and the only thing that was a bit iffy was that the instructor relied on a parent to translate for the kids who weren't fluent German speakers.

I climbed as a novice myself many years ago and had a chat with my daughter beforehand about listening properly and following instructions. She wants to try SCUBA when she is old enough and I have no problem with that either as long as she learns how to use the equipment.

What I wouldn't do is let my kids do is use facilities where safety standards are less than the sport recommends they should be.

A piece on this case has just been shown on RTL Explosiv Weekend, including footage of the child's father.