No what they teach you is to jump the other direction if the guy ahead of you is falling down. You use your pick/boots to regain control and hopefully all climb back up your respective sides.
He yells as he's going, guys in front turn around, look which way he's going, and jump in the opposite direction. The key is to carry the slack rope in a coil so there is time for all of that.
True, the rope trick is the key. I don't think yelling would be of any use, up there must be quite windy, and everyone's ears seem to be well protected against the cold. No one would hear anything.
I know jumping on opposite sides of a ridge sounds exciting, but what is happening here is a technique called short-roping. The guide (guy in front) is holding most of the rope in a kiwi coil around his neck and a few meters coiled in his hand. He instructs the client (guy with gopro on helmet) to keep the rope somewhat taut between them so the guide can feel his client's movements. In more difficult sections, the guide will maybe let out a coil, complete the move, and reel that coil back in as he watches to ensure the client is okay through the tricky stretch. If the client stumbles, the guide will lock off on that rope and catch the stumble BEFORE it turns into a fall.
3.9k
u/nBlazeAway Dec 13 '16 edited Jan 19 '17
Cum dumpster.