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So, if you are out climbing and your partner(s) puts a rope up on a route within you ability, do you pull the rope and lead? Or do you just TR? Sometimes it is easier to TR to clean or whatever, so this isn't a question for every route, just what you generally do.

Wes

Depends if it is trad or sport. Sport I'll pull the rope, Trad I second.
It also depends how I am feeling. sometimes I am in a TR only mood. 8)

I was thinking more about sport, because with trad, "Preplaced has no place".

Wes

My thoughts exactly.

okay. on sport, I usually pull the rope and lead it myself on the draws that are there.

This may not be the place to "argue" this, but I just thought of something:
The second really has to trust the leader on trad - in ref to the anchors, but I don't know if I would ever trust a leader on ALL his / her gear placement throughout the climb... probably not enough to senselessly clip and go on pre-placed trad gear.

Wes, are you having lead head troubles lately?

Mj

Me? Nope, I almost always pull the rope and lead. I was just wondering how many others did it as well. It seems like most of the "better" climbers always lead.

Wes

Yes, it really seem that way... "most of the better climbers lead".
I also noticed that once you lead a bunch, people ask you to put up routes for them. On top of your projects, leaders gain more and more experience leading for "others".

Seems like leaders get richer...(sort of like, it easier to make a bunch of money when you have a bunch of money... know what I mean)?

One of my buddies thinks that TR is a bad habbit and he always pulls the rope on me whether I feel like leading or not. I think its a healthy relationship as along as you know eachothers ability and personality well.

As far as trad goes, if the route is close to vertical and is straight enough to clean gear on the way down, everyone can lead the route if they want. Mileage placing gear is good. I try to take advantage when I have the time.

isn't preplaced the way french people climb?