Maybe he means retired cavers...

Anyway, as part of a BMC club organised event they would have been covered by insurance, whatever the outcome

We don't actually know what happened & the belayer may have agreed to being sued, so climber could claim on the insurance (I'm not saying that is what happened either - newspaper reports are invariably incorrect somewhere along the line)

An interesting selection of NGBs use this company - most still have £10 million (although I expect that will increase at next renewal & I haven't checked all of them, however, triathlon is £15m & Athletics £50m! - they have much bigger audiences) https://www.marshsport.co.uk/ngb-schemes.html Not...

Page 2 - Aptil 18th - middle picture

& it was only 6 years ago...

Robin has done an article about it in Autumn 2023 Belfry Bulletin (mrodoc being the editor...)

Maybe it's their demographic...

I don't believe it was outdoor sport related, but noting that a payment was awarded that was greater than BCA max - usually relate to injuries needing permanent hospital care very old post on BMC payouts...

From 24 minutes, preceded by Hirwaun Ironworks,, Penderyn Distillery, Merthyr Revolt & alpaca trekking: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0flq9y5/weatherman-walking-series-13-6-hirwaun

Lyrics warning there!

Mendip was very foggy on Friday, frosty yesterday & damp today

In 2008, there was also: "The “Wessex” Geriatric Group (well, 50% Wessex and 100% Geriatric)"

Has it got relatives in NZ?: https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?threads/whale-vertebrae-in-cave.22320/

& in last 10 minures "Makng of"

In Hang Son Doong at start of: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001sxm6/planet-earth-iii-series-1-6-extremes

As the PDF says - it very much depends on the construction of the helmet.

Have you ever tried telling an "experienced" climber (caver) that they are wrong... ;)

Colours used & designs also change over time (if your harness is old enough then it won't have a serial number!) The disintegrating belay may well have absorbed a lot of the force.

We've destroyed many many plastic climbing helmets with a sledge hammer & no matter the age it has taken far more force to break them than your neck would accept. However, some modern designs effectively have crumple zones, so will not protect you as well from a second impact, that would have...