I want to believe. Fox Mulder, The X
Files
Last night, my smart young niece – it
makes me feel old to lay claim to a niece starting university today –
was telling us a story about a friend of hers who had gone to
Cambodia and, apparently, descended on multiple zip lines into a
jungle valley, stayed overnight, then climbed out on a 300 metre Via
Ferrata, that had the rungs too far apart for her to comfortably
reach. An interesting tale, but, a tale none the less.
When I hear these apocryphal stories
which, whilst perhaps containing a kernel of truth are clearly
exaggerated beyond rational belief, I am astonished that intelligent
people actually believe them.
Zip lines are expensive to build and
maintain, and, the average tourist might happily descend one, or
perhaps even two, but to descend multiple zip-lines over a long
distance would not only consume more hours than exist in a day, but
would be beyond the physical ability of all but the fittest tourists.
Tourists in good enough physical condition for such an activity are
not paying a tour guide to take them about but are off on their own
adventure.
Climbing 300 metres on a Via Ferrata is
similarly beyond the ability of the average tourist, unless the angle
was closer to 20 degrees than 90 degrees – in which case one has to
wonder why a Via Ferrata would be necessary. Sustained climbing up a
Via Ferrata at any angle approaching vertical is actually a strenuous
activity requiring far more upper body and core strength than the
average person possesses. Even moderately well conditioned climbers
used to climbing and stronger than average are routinely crushed when
climbing the aid pitch on Smith Rock's Monkey Face.
The only explanation I can find for
this incredible show of facile gullibility among erstwhile
intelligent people is that they really have no comprehension of what
the activity involves and so cannot assess the validity of whatever
story is being promulgated. Anyone who has tried rock climbing or
even attempted to grind out a few dead-hang pull-ups would be
immediately sceptical of such claims. Even if one were to discount
the fitness involved, moving even one or two people through
challenging terrain such as described in this story would take a
long, long time, moving half a dozen people, all of whom are fumbling
with unfamiliar harnesses and sundry gear could be measured in
geologic time.
From an entertainment perspective,
there is nothing enjoying a tall tale, just don't view the story
as a documentary.
Monkey Face in Smith Rocks
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