I would like to start a discussion on what climbers think of the dangers involved with climbing Shannon falls in these current conditions… when mostly frozen but with a large volume of water still flowing down the center.

I soloed it on December 23rd and moved as fast as I could and kept to what I believe is the safer line - weaving under protective overhangs on the far left. I still consider this route extremely dangerous as every year I see very large blocks of ice come rattling down the center and large volumes of trapped water explode out onto the right side, which was no different from this year. I climbed it because I have been waiting 10 years to do it and global warming wasn’t going to let it get fatter so I took the chance I wouldn’t die.

BUT I was the ONLY climber this year to take the safer path as at least 6 parties climbed the far scarier right side. While I was climbing it a party was on the right and were hit with ice and water as I watched in horror from directly across while hidden safely under an ice roof. Then as I summited a huge section of ice fell off crushing the leader and experienced climbers nearby called 911. Apparently they got their wits together and continued on and by the time I made it back down to the parking lot rescue personnel couldn’t see them anymore so I guess they lived to play another day.

So my question is why am I the only one who climbed the left side this year? Did all 6 parties who ascended the right side consider this a safe route?