Hi Jeff et al.,

While I agree that we're likely to see free soloists' unfortunate and (in many respects) preventable obituaries in the future, I think it's important to note that the risk assessments that they perform (or don't) impact in many instances solely their own mortality. That's a very different environment and circumstance, from my perspective, than a multi-occupant/participant scenario. And I do not mean to minimize impacts on friends and family, but often the sole outcome from physical injury/mortality perspective is their own rather than others.

As someone that climbs, occassionally with critical (and valid) concern from immediate family, I applaud the level of preparation Alex completes for his projects. He does his best to manage the risks that he can attempt to alleviate or minimize. As noted, there are definitely elements outside of his control (e.g. rockfall, weather). But I feel he's thorough in his attempts to manage risk to his personal tolerance level. Is his tolerance in the same realm as my own or others, No. But its his risk tolerance he needs to manage, not mine/ours.

In honesty, the free soloing game continues to push the risk levels on each climbing season. Many climbers will tell you its far easier to ascend something than it is to down climb the same terrain. Which makes the recent accomplishments of Jim Reynolds in Patagonia that much more impressive, and risk laden. https://rockandice.com/climbing-news/jim-reynolds-fitz-roy-free-solo-putting-it-in-perspective-with-the-pros/ As described in the link, forgetting PPE is of slightly lesser concern for free soloing, "At the base, he realized he had forgotten his harness and rappel device, but reasoned that he wasn't planning on using them anyway..."

Given the complexities and nuances unique to free soloing versus other risk management environments, I'd personally suggest exercising caution when attempting to draw any parallels to laboratory/chemical safety. This is my personal perspective as both a climber and a chemist.

My $0.02,
Chris

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