It is not up to ANYone else to "make good decisions" other than the individual. Especially solo. So a "green" climber is asking for a belay, can't find one, and goes solo. What are "we" gonna do about it? Absolutely effin' nothing. It's HIS choice. Years ago I did alot of soloing. There were a few times when things got a bit scary. In each case I got it together and pulled the move. To this day many of my most memorable climbs. The only choice you have is to help or not to help if he skates off. That's my point.
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I'd agree, but with a caveat.
It does matter what choices our fellow climbers make and, hence, these discussions, however disjointed, are constructive. (Maybe a discussion like this will stop the next "green" climber from pitching off Standard?) Folks rag-dolling down ice/rock climbs may make someone somewhere start asking whether folks should be allowed to climb here or there (State Law Maker; Parks Official; etc).
As a community, we probably need to come to grips with the fact that climbers' decisions shape the perception of our community by the broader public and, in turn, the constraints on our activity (eg, access, use restrictions). So if you amble upon an accident waiting to happen, probably a good idea to diplomatically let the folks involved know that things may not end up well. Thereafter, it's probably best to be as constructive as possible in getting the facts straight about what happened so that events don't repeat themselves. In this spirit, hopefully the involved party/brother will offer up their side and we will reserve/temper our judgements by the knowledge that we've all made bad decisions at one time or another and come out the other side....with a bit of luck, of course.
Mike
DISCLAIMER: This comment is in NO way meant to point a finger at anyone that came across this dude (Jim, Dave, Bill) that day since it's impossible sometimes to see an accident before it happens.
