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Isn't anyone out there going to criticize my spelling of "criticism" in my last post?

One of the few things I enjoy about old age is using it to justify my screwups.

Rick

And every climb for you is an onsight attempt, geezer

Meadows wrote:And every climb for you is an onsight attempt, geezer

...yeah, even if I've flailed around on it a dozen times before. Memory is the second thing to go.

As the others have already said, we encourage criticisms. I can only think of 3 or 4 people who were rude and offensive in doing so and they were the only ones who received a similar response. Smedley is a good example of this type of criticism (he insulted Tim, Mike, J.J., and myself repeatedly).

Sadly, there is a small dissention fomenting group that happens to be extremely vocal about it and they seem to take joy in spreading rumors and exaggerations that then quickly become inaccurate overgeneralizations.

Furthermore, to say that the routes were put up too quickly or without much thought is simply untrue. I could easily put them up 3 times faster if I really wanted to do so. We don't expect them all to be perfect or even well received. There are some routes I've equipped that I did not think were any good, but there is always somebody who will like it and/or hate it. In cases where improvements could be made I've gone back and made the necessary changes such as rerouting them or moving a bolt or two, etc. It is a new area so you can expect some loose holds, dirt, moss, lichen, and an inaccurate (but flexible) grading system. However, I do feel that it is unfair to suggest that the routes were put up without forethought.

As I have said before, I've responded to each and every pm and/or email very promptly and considerately. I also know that Rick and Tim have done the same. Finally, each and every concern or potential problem has been quickly taken care of and we are VERY appreciative for this type of criticism.

So please, if you have a problem then just let one of us know. Thank you.

J-Rock wrote:...So please, if you have a problem then just let one of us know. Thank you.

So, J-Rock... I have a problem. There is this incredibly smelly rope dangling over my den. Do you know anything about that? I mean, geesh, climbers are a ordorific lot, but this thang is rank!!

Rizzo

TrueNorth, that's the most absurd thing I've read in this thread.

We going to have fall registers at the bottom of every route now?

"This bolt has 89,643 falls left." But, of those falls since 52 were intentional or could be attributed to a gumby that got in way over their head we're gonna be safe and set the tally to 82,345 remaining falls. But, since we had a big storm here in the spring and this route caught a bit more rain than usual we should drop it down to 78,345."

You take a chance every time you climb (and I'd assume it's mostly for personal celebration and gratification). Respecting the landowners wishes is one thing, believing (and planting this absurdity in other people's minds) a dozen extra whippers a year is going to compromise someone else's safety is just a bit too much for me to swallow.

Hey Rizzo, that must be one of J.J.'s old ropes. I heard that his dog pissed on it!

It is the loss of the old philosophies that concern me. They are proven philosophies that worked and were based on the well being of the climbing community. Why disregard them and what type of personality justifies ignoring them?

TrueNorth, I understand what you are saying and I respect that. I think I started climbing at a time when the newer gym climber type philosophies were starting to dominate the scene and I've noticed many changes in the beliefs and attitudes just in the last 10-15 years. I think I started early enough that I still retain many of those core old school values. I try to balance it with modern philosophies, however, sometimes it really saddens me to see what climbing has become.

Every time I laced my rope through my own gear instead of using the anchors, did I do it because I really thought MY rope would wear out the rings? Or did I do it out of respect for the developer, the sport, tradition and the climber community?