All you folks who said you used to do it as a kid, and had a blast and fond memories, but now you wouldn't let your kids or grandkids do it....I don't understand. You got a chance to live life and make memories but you are ok with denying someone else that opportunity. You can't shield children from life and everything else. There's a line between reckless and risk. I don't think this crossess that line.
Recently I took my family to Boone, NC and we climbed up Grandfather Mountain. It was a treacherous climb, very dangerous with no safety equipment. One slip and it would be very bad. Why would I not let a teenager do this?