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Bolting discussion.


Bug

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People only bolt becuase they can't climb the grades safely -- bolting is not for development, it's becuase some climbers can't climb the grades safely or confidently.

 

Disagree. On some routes, ability does not define safety. Take some of the new mixed ice routes in the rockies for example. And lets not forget that the only reason ANY of us can climb above 5.11 is because we were able to train in safe situations.

 

My point is thus. You can climb 5.11 becuase you can, maybe from training, and dedication. Would you bolt a 5.6 route? Probably not. But you probably would bolt a 5.10 route either becuase of your safety on the route or you are just lazy in placing pro. You don't feel as confident with 5.10 as you do with 5.6. (I cannot climb above 5.8)

 

Now let's say joey (fictional man) can do 5.14 all the time. He is super confident in his abilities. 5.11 is a piece of cake to him and so why should he bolt a route? In other words, joey is climbing within his abilities.

 

I have seen bolts on routes that are 5.4 . Heck I have seen bolts placed perfectly next to fine cracks. Should those bolts be there? At what grade do bolts become acceptable?

 

More importantly, why do bolts become more acceptable at higher grades? More risk? Or is it becuase the person is climbing out of their "comfort zone"? Should the person placing the bolts be allowed to bolt becuase a route is out of their "comfort zone" wilst another person can just climb the route being completely "in the zone" without using bolts?

 

Which begs to question. Why do I even use a rope?

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I think that, in theory anyway, bolts are used for protecting climbing on faces and sections devoid of other means. You are right of course, we place protection because we are not entirely confident we won't fall off. It is not just ability, but loose rock and spiders that might make you fall off. I think having some protection is a fore-gone conclusion for climbing in general and specifically in the bolting debate, but I guess it always good to question one's premises.

BTW because/becuase

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People only bolt becuase they can't climb the grades safely -- bolting is not for development, it's becuase some climbers can't climb the grades safely or confidently.

 

Disagree. On some routes, ability does not define safety. Take some of the new mixed ice routes in the rockies for example. And lets not forget that the only reason ANY of us can climb above 5.11 is because we were able to train in safe situations.

 

My point is thus. You can climb 5.11 becuase you can, maybe from training, and dedication. Would you bolt a 5.6 route? Probably not. But you probably would bolt a 5.10 route either becuase of your safety on the route or you are just lazy in placing pro. You don't feel as confident with 5.10 as you do with 5.6. (I cannot climb above 5.8)

 

Now let's say joey (fictional man) can do 5.14 all the time. He is super confident in his abilities. 5.11 is a piece of cake to him and so why should he bolt a route? In other words, joey is climbing within his abilities.

 

I have seen bolts on routes that are 5.4 . Heck I have seen bolts placed perfectly next to fine cracks. Should those bolts be there? At what grade do bolts become acceptable?

 

More importantly, why do bolts become more acceptable at higher grades? More risk? Or is it becuase the person is climbing out of their "comfort zone"? Should the person placing the bolts be allowed to bolt becuase a route is out of their "comfort zone" wilst another person can just climb the route being completely "in the zone" without using bolts?

 

Which begs to question. Why do I even use a rope?

It is my belief that there should be no bolts placed where natural protection would safely protect the route. This is a common understanding by my experience. If you are out of your comfort zone, back off. Just because you WANT to climb something that is out of your comfort zone does not give you the right to permanently change the route. Millions of people have taken the time to learn how to place natural protection safely. There is no excuse for bolts next to a crack. Find some top rope situations if you need to improve your abilities. And then practice aiding cracks to get used to placing gear. There are alternatives to bolting cracks.

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As a general rule, I think, if you are going to bolt to make the climb safe, the defintion of "safety" ought to be for someone climbing at their limit on the crux of your route.

 

Thus, a 5.4 route (if you really needed to bolt it) should probably protect a 5.4 leader. Conversely, a 5.10 route shouldn't need bolts right next to every 5.7 move.

 

 

Oh...and I'll go way out on a limb here and agree with Bug saying no bolts right next to protectable cracks.

 

Uhh...um...except to rapell from like on top of Prusik Peak. I think that's OK if those bolts are next to cracks.

Edited by chucK
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A bolt should never be placed near a protectable crack. Period. D.D.D. is a classic example of the climbing communities disdain for this practice.

 

I see this as the most general rule--not placing a bolt next to a fine protectable place.

 

Now I ask, if you can TOPROPE something, should you bolt a route?

I thought rope was only for safety reasons, and therefore bolts are there for safety reasons. Why would someone NOT toprope a climb if that is the safest way to climb a potential TOPROPABLE climb?

 

Why can't you toprope "To Bolt, Or Not to Bolt" and still do the same moves and be safer?

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Jeeze guys,

 

A lot of theoretical and unwritten rules being thrown around in this thread...

 

But there is one real world rule that is written down and enforced. No Power Drills in Wilderness areas.

 

Let's not forget that rule...

 

Nice discussion, glad to still it's still moving along, minus a few important voices... frown.gif

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Here's what I don't understand: If you worry about the environment to the point that you ride a bike, buy only fuel-efficient vehicles or use mass transport, voted for Gore, eschew farmed salmon, make donations to environmental PACs, and in the back of your mind you may even be considering a composting toilet....

 

...how in the Hell could you possibly be in favor of defacing millions-of-years-old rock faces with bolt-holes? cantfocus.gif

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you guys have way too much time on your hands, locked up at your desks dreaming about climbing... pretty pathetic if you ask me. go fucking climb something. this topic is so fucking boring.

and one more thing- when you are sketched you will clip that bolt and you won't ask a question if it was bolted with power drill or not.

climbing 5.11 or 5.12 is not climbing hard by modern standards.

and for all of you bolt anti-bolt wankers why don't you visit places like Elbsanstein or Teplice. then you can spray how brave you are. other wise you're just another sprayer-wanker. T-A=0

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Somebody should chop this new route on the Incredible hulk...bolts next to cracks!

who would do such a thing?

398475-BOLT.JPG

 

This is what one of the questions I am trying to get at. A bolt is next to the crack. Maybe you can place pro in that crack, but somebody else doesn't believe in their abilities to trust the pro, so they probably placed the bolt. This happens quite frequently for where the bolts are placed (even though it is not kosher). This is why I question all bolting.....but then again, I am no big wall climber, I have never slept on a portaledge, and I will never sleep on a portaledge.

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