Still working on the pattern...
I'm still doing the sizing on the socks. My hat's off to anyone who's ever put together a pattern, because it takes some time! Marnie has been giving me some helpful hints on sizing and fit, and it's just a matter of checking the pattern, taking photos, designing the pdf, and putting it out! Another week, at the most. The Flower Basket Shawl has been sulking in my knitting bag, and the Cascade 220 I purchased for the Afghan Project in Memory of John Glick has mysteriously disappeared. Kiri? What's that?
My opinion on a $10m lawsuit against the National Park System follows...
I saw this article on the front page of the L.A. Times while standing outside a diner during lunchtime. I have to say that as much as I talk about climbing and how fun it is, it is still a *very dangerous* sport. I am ultimately responsible for myself; the condition of my harness, shoes, and climbing gear; and I must absolutely trust my partner, who holds the rope when I climb. I could possibly die every time I step outside for some "fun".
For Peter Terbush's parents to sue the National Park Service system is to possibly create severe restrictions for the sport in the nation. Here are 3 viewpoints I've heard:
- The NPS is not responsible for the rockfall. Climbing is recognized as a dangerous sport, and climbers bristle at any rules imposed on them. It is the climber's responsibility to determine whether they should do a route or walk away from it.
- The NPS cannot be responsible for natural phenomena such as rockfall, but they should be held accountable for the conditions of climbing routes in areas that are in the path of possible rockfall.
- The NPS is responsible for Peter Terbush's death, period. There should be rules and regulations for this sport.
I support the second argument. I think that the Terbushes' suit has merit but rock climbing in the U.S. will suffer if severe limitations are imposed. Many Europeans I know can't understand why the U.S. is a lawsuit-happy country; it's all about blaming everyone else and not claiming personal responsibility.
Food for thought. Comments closed for this post. Okay, I'm stepping off the soapbox!
