June 19, 2000

One of the most dangerous forms of recreation is also now becoming one of the most popular pastimes in Utah.

That sport is rock climbing.

During the weekend, a young man fell 100 feet from a cliff at the mouth of Parley's Canyon. News Specialist Stacey Butler has the story.

No one knows for sure exactly how many times the two teenagers had been climbing. But search and rescue crews say the two apparently had little experience.

The boy holding the rope--acting as the belayer-- let go. That's when the 19-year-old climber fell 100 feet to the ground.

Rescue crews say the gear they were using was so new the tags were still on it.

Lane Larkin/Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Office: "WE HAVE TWO NEW CLIMBERS, AREN'T EXPERIENCED IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING. WE UNDERSTAND FROM INTERVIEWING THE WITNESSES THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO TIE THE ROPES TOGETHER."

Veteran rock climbers say it's a growing problem. The sport has exploded in popularity and now more and more young amateurs are taking to the outdoors before they're ready.

Many go out even after they fail an indoor rock climbing test.

Steve Hyans/Rockreation: "YOU GIVE THEM A VERY ACTIVE BOLE TEST AND THEY FAILED MISERABLY. AND THAT'S HOW THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES TO THEIR FRIENDS, 'OH YEAH I CAN DO THAT.'"

But in most cases they can't. At Rockreation in Holladay, instructors teach children as young as seven to climb.

But even if they train indoors for years, experts say these kids won't be ready to climb outside until they get specialized instruction.

"WE TELL PEOPLE WHEN WE TEACH OUR CLASSES, WE SAY IN NO WAY DOES THIS CLASS TEACH YOU HOW TO CLIMB OUTSIDE."

A word of advice to parents--

"WHEN YOUR SON TELLS YOU HE WANTS TO START CLIMBING OUTSIDE, YOU NEED TO MEET AND PERSONALLY QUALIFY WHAT THE EXPERIENCE IS OF THAT KID."