“What would you do ?” used to figure on the cover of a boys’ comic called “Boys’ World”. This was a publication, obviously, aimed at boys, and first appeared on January 26th 1963. There were 89 issues before the comic was merged with Eagle in 1964. The last issue of “Boys’ World” came out on October 3rd 1964.
I used to buy “Boys’ World”, and this was mainly for the front cover which always featured a kind of puzzle. It was called “What would you do ?” and was based on somebody being in what has been called “A dilly of a pickle”.
Here’s the situation:
And here’s the Orange Box, still awaiting the result of the paternity test:
For what it’s worth, I haven’t got a clue, but I do have a Page Two where the answer is given for all and sundry:
So there we are. Take your boots and socks off. Tie them to your belt and climb down, or up, barefooted. I really would like to see somebody try that !!!
Oh, and by the way, the paternity test was negative. The search goes on.
John Knifton 
That solution is more dangerous than the situation!
Absolutely 100% correct!! That leaves us, of course, with no solution, beyond waiting for better weather and drier rocks. I hope for his sake he wasn’t mountaineering in Manchester!
haha, I’d like to see me try to remove my shoes and socks with one hand, tie them to my belt with one hand and then climb!! And worry about frostbite when I get to the top. Oh my…..
You’re right, of course. Standing on one leg and holding on to a wet cliff face with one hand while you take your shoes and socks off with the other hand is not really my cup of tea either. So far, wait for better weather is my own, rather poor, solution.
I would never have considered such a solution. I wonder now how many young climbers, caught in such a dilemma, have lost their lives trying such a stunt.
I suspect all of the ones who tried it !! I don’t even agree with the idea that climbing barefoot is the best way on wet or slippery rock. On holiday at the seaside, and barefoot, I have always thought that the rocks that the tide uncovers can be terribly slippery until the sun dries them.
Seems like a bad way to go as the cold would be a problem for his feet. A better solution would have been to wait for better weather to climb in …
My idea exactly. The comic’s solution just isn’t a solution unless you are some kind of ninja special forces semi-robot. Wait for better weather is the safest thing to do, and in the meantime, help may come to you.
Honestly I think my previous “make your peace with God” answer is looking pretty good now!
OK, you win !! Perhaps we could incorporate my own current solution into it…..
So, make peace with your God and he/she will reward you with glorious sunny weather and an easy descent. And next time, use a better weather forecasting service!
That must class as one of the biggest ‘never been tried’ solutions to a “what would you do” challenge. I for one won’t be putting it to the test!
That’s a very nice idea that the person who thought up the solution should be the one to try it first.
I don’t think, to be honest, that there is the slightest chance that it will work, so we will have to come up with our own solution.
I think that atcDave (above) is right to make peace with his God, but after that, surely the only option is to wait for the “sudden lashing rain storm” to turn to sunshine and lovely weather. Then you can either continue climbing upward, or descend down to the village and try out its fish-and-chip shop and its four pubs.
A brilliant idea John. He could also (because our intrepid climber has a choice) take out his brolly, open it with his teeth and continue with his boots on to give him the vital grip he needs. It’s all really quite simple! Was it published on April 1st by any chance!
No, I’m afraid not. June 1st 1963 according to the scan.
A shame. That suggests the writer was in fact serious then!
I have to say I wouldn’t really want to put that to the test, particularly with a stiff breeze blowing.
I’m with you 100% on that one! For me the only solution is to wait for the rain to stop and hope that that takes less than five or six days !
I wonder how he did all that 🙂
If you read the comments by the other readers, I think we all find it difficult to believe that the solution on offer is possible to do. Perhaps the best thing would be to wait for better weather !
Does anyone else get the impression that this particular cliff hanger (get it!) is a bit of a pi$$ take?
Well, only they can answer that, but I would be very surprised if “Boys’ World” was doing that on June 1st 1963.