In reading Ken & Bob R's cautionary posts, I am reminded of a very important caveat to collecting information -- very important safety information -- by message board: one runs the risk of falling under the spell of another's experience (or cavalier attitude in some cases). As a novice who may not express my (lack of) experience well enough, I could query if "ropes are needed on the Final 400" and receive a chorus of "Nahhhh!!!" from those who scamper down the route face-forward on a weekly basis. I, on the other hand, would most likely do a 2K face-plant.
As an inexperienced, two-right-footed, ex-model-turned-wannbe- adventureress, I would offer the only advice that I am qualified to give:
Be very careful who you solicit your potentially life saving/ending advice from.
To my good fortune, it just so happens that 3 of my trusted resources have weighed in on this thread!
B
