Rope tricks

I've splurged a bit (wow, the spell checker actually recognised that one) and bought a rope in the Tiso sale, thought it was 50 m of 10 mm, actually got 60 m and a free belay plate. Seeing as I was in the store and physically chose it, I was suprised that I was suprised. Anyway, my point.
In this age of legislation for everything, the fact that anyone can go into a shop and buy enough kit to go and do silly things in the hills is kind of gratifying. And also worrying- I mean there's nothing to stop people killing themselves or just getting into serious trouble but on every piece of kit, and in most stores, there's the disclaimers:
"Warning: Climbing is a dangerous sport!"
"No liabilities are accepted!"
"Use your own judgement!" - these from an American book.
"The authors..cannot accept any responsibility for [anything] while following any of the techniques described." - From a British book.
These are all fairly standard but the one on the back of the packaging for the belay plate (minimal packaging which is nice to see) struck me as just, well, just about right:
"Climbing and mountaineering are inherently dangerous. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser or user of this climbing equipment to get proper instruction and to act safely and with caution while using this equipment.... You are responsible for your own actions and decisions."
And that's the thing. "You are responsible." The companies give you the kit and design it to be as good and as safe as it can be, but in the end, if you choose to take the risk, it's your call. You have the say over what you do. Nobody is forcing you to do it, (in all but the VERY rare cases of product failure) nobody is responsible for your safety, apart from you.
This is, I think, part of the appeal of the sport and the lifestyle. That and the feeling you get on a good climb, were everything is flowing and it's like you're dancing up the rock.

With this in mind, there's a great quote from Edward Whymper, a British climber who was on the first ascent of the Matterhorn - on the descent of which, four of the team died.
"There have been joys too great to be described in words, and there have been griefs upon which I have not dared to dwell; and with these in mind I say: Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end."
The passage from "Climb if you will..." is (or at least was) displayed on the wall at the Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre.