What is a common outdoor anchor risk?

• A. The color of the anchor can indicate its strength.
• B. The brand of rope used with the anchor.
• C. Loose or corroded anchors, improper tie-offs, or anchors that fail with load.
• D. The height of the anchor above the ground.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that outdoor anchors fail when they’re not solidly built or secured. The most common risk comes from anchors that are loose, corroded, or damaged, along with improper tie-offs that can slip or pull free when loaded. These failure modes directly threaten safety during rigging or belaying because the anchor can give way suddenly under load. So the best choice highlights these real issues: wear, corrosion, insecure connections, and anchors that don’t hold up when they’re loaded. By comparison, color or appearance doesn’t indicate strength, the brand of rope isn’t about the anchor’s reliability, and how high the anchor sits above the ground isn’t the key risk. The practical takeaway is to inspect anchors for movement, rust, cracks, or wear, and to secure tie-offs properly and redundantly whenever possible.