There's a rather rancorous discussion about a tradition in Moab area for the first ascensionist to leave a rock with the name of the route carved into it at the base of a climb. It looks rather cool, I think. Here's one:
Website discussion is here.
4 comments:
Interesting discussion. No lack of opinions in the climbing world, is there? The bolted routes that I saw in France were marked, just at the bottom with a route name, I don't think the ratings were indicated though. Here are my thoughts. I agree, they are just road signs and actually could be helpful, gives a sense of history to the place and kinda cool. BUT I am a big fan of "leave no trace" I like to imagine when I get to a beautiful wilderness site, that I am the first one to ever be there. I like to imagine that I am the first one to ever climb a route. Yep, just another mind game to play with myself especially on a bolted route with all the holds shined up from years of use.I don't think I would ever do it but I don't think I would be all that upset if someone else does.Kinda leads me back to the gap in Capital reef. What is the difference really between petrogliths, Pioneers signature with shotgun blasts and graffitti?
I would think that leaving a name on a rock like that is just human nature. It does make for history and can add to the charm of a well used climbing location. It would be out of place for me to see it in a total wilderness area though. I would think I'd agree that each area devlopes it's own personality and that's what makes it unique. I guess I'd prefer a metal tag by the first bolt naming it...If you get that high then you'll know what you're on.
I think that is an awesome Idea, with my experience in trad it sucks getting to the top of your second pitch and realizing it is the wrong route. We do have an estes park climbing guide book. It says things like it starts between two dead pine trees. Its a good thing that only two pine trees have died in estes park or else we might have climbed the wrong route. We went to spot the lower organ pipes on the lower twin owls yesterday because we are planning that as our friday climb. We couldnt find it and got lost so we turned around and said we would cross our fingers next time and hopefully find it on friday. haha
There is another thread on this subject on the Splitter Choss feed on the side bar of our blog.
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