What makes it classic?

[climb2core]

If it were the first to break a grade barrier then I would say that qualifies as an "instant classic" in the area regardless how good the climbing is. I suppose it has to stand the test of a little time for grade confirmation, but otherwise, instant classic. For the rest of the soon-to-be classics, pigsteak, your time is coming.

I think if the developer is no longer active in the area, it can be a classic. Kenny's PL is now a classic. Porkchop, if you would just up and leave, you can have your legacy in the Red now.

[JR]

I can think of no other term in climbing that is so overused.

[climb2core]

I can think of no other term in climbing that is so overused.

When describing a route, "It's a jug haul" has to be more common in the Red.

[Yasmeen]

I can think of no other term in climbing that is so overused.

Classic comment!

[graniteclimber]

It's a classic if you have to wait in line to climb it and it's covered in chalk. Everyone you know has climbed it or wants to climb it and the spray about it is insufferable. On a trad route, it's been buffed to a high gloss, not a speck of dust on it, and no adventure left to be seen. On a sport climb... well everyone knows there is no such thing as a classic sport climb. Just fun moves covered in a layer of chalk and man-slime.

[Andrew]

It's a classic if you have to wait in line to climb it and it's covered in chalk. Everyone you know has climbed it or wants to climb it and the spray about it is insufferable. On a trad route, it's been buffed to a high gloss, not a speck of dust on it, and no adventure left to be seen. On a sport climb... well everyone knows there is no such thing as a classic sport climb. Just fun moves covered in a layer of chalk and man-slime.

You are not from around here are you. Even the chosspiles are covered in chalk and people spray about them... Same for trad

[captain static]

This thread needs to contain a poll.

[Meadows]

Speaking only about the Red, for you, how do you define a classic? Does it have to be at least ten years old? Is there such a thing as an instant classic?

Recalling this conversation we had on here some years ago (I think Ray started it), we tend to think of "classic" in the terms of age such as a classic car or classic rock. However, here are the definitions per Dictionary.com:

1. of the first or highest quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work.

2. serving as a standard, model, or guide: the classic method of teaching arithmetic.

3. of or pertaining to Greek and Roman antiquity, especially with reference to literature and art.

Unless you are Greek or Roman, disregard any definitions of a classic climb in terms of age.

Is it the perfect rock, perfect movement, or perfect view that makes it so? Does it have to have a "story" behind the Fa?

What does an FA story have to do with a route being classic? Don't most routes have stories? What if Stay Left at Military had a cool story? The only "classic" I would apply to it is a classic case of a choss pile.

[Meadows]

can't be bolted by Kipp, unless it was first bolted by someone else and then rebolted by Kipp with extra bolts added

Like.

[graniteclimber]

It's a classic if you have to wait in line to climb it and it's covered in chalk. Everyone you know has climbed it or wants to climb it and the spray about it is insufferable. On a trad route, it's been buffed to a high gloss, not a speck of dust on it, and no adventure left to be seen. On a sport climb... well everyone knows there is no such thing as a classic sport climb. Just fun moves covered in a layer of chalk and man-slime.

You are not from around here are you. Even the chosspiles are covered in chalk and people spray about them... Same for trad

No, not from around there. I have visited a couple times and done a bunch of routes. I would say 90% of them were fun to very fun, but 0% were classic. The spray you've got there is so pervasive it is downright humid.

I usually love a good chalked up climb so I know where to put my feet and hands but good grief it's a bit much down there. I think the most interesting climb I did was Hakuna Matata.. mostly because it had almost zero chalk on it and required more than forearm fitness.

Still, you guys got a good thing going down there. Truth is I did most of the classics here years ago, and now find myself enjoying weird munge piles with foliage and actual friction. The only trick is convincing people to climb them with me.