Weekend Whipper: Here’s Why You Should Close Your Legs When You Whip

Here’s an occupational hazard we haven’t yet seen: the hidden dangers of tufa climbing. Or, as one of our staff puts it, why you should close your legs when you whip.

Chris Poteete learned this lesson the hard way. He was attempting Liposuction (5.12a) at Reimer’s Ranch in Texas: a steep and juggy limestone line with a lurking tufa below the second bolt. Poteete says he was warned of the dangers before starting up, but, after spending far too much energy on the overhang working out his beta, he reached the precarious stance without thinking of the consequences.

“New beta helped me clean up the sequence, get better footing on the tufas, and clear this segment much more gracefully,” he said. “I walked away with nothing more than some bruises to my butt and ego.”

Happy Friday, and be safe out there this weekend.

Readers, please send your whipper videos, information, and any lessons learned to Anthony Walsh, awalsh@outsideinc.com.

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