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General Climbing Discussion

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Climbers are lazy 2-Jul-2003 At 11:41:32 AM (removed)

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Sorry, can't let this go ...

On 1/07/2003 Dalai wrote:
>So the biggest (I didn't say only) way to contribute is to go out and do FA's.

Actually you did:

On 1/07/2003 Dalai wrote:
>but those who choose not to prepare and climb new routes (...) are not contributing to the sport.

I'm reasonably handy on the boolean algebra - handy enough to know that if all cats have four legs and my pet only has two, that it's not a cat ... Cryptic enough for you ?

I would suggest though (and I'm gonna cop it for this one I'm sure) that there are essentially two reasons why people go new routing:
They get the chance to have their name attached to the route for eternity, and
they enjoy the pionerring nature of it
Both personal reasons, not, as you suggest, because of some obligation to the sport.

As someone else said, new routing's not for everyone - and I reckon those limited by time would be the ones for whom this pursuit is impractical. Personally I'll only be able to get out to the crags at best twice a year now, so if I spend those weekends looking for new stuff that may not even exist, then I mightn't actually get anything done. Interestingly the two examples you mentioned (Dave and Malcolm) both live in Nati, giving weight to my argument earlier that geography plays a large part. The exception to the rule appears to be Neil, whose enthusiasm for adventure still impresses me. Bottom (feeding) line for me, is that those who choose not to go new routing shouldn't be criticised for their decision as you (and Gordon, and Robbie) have done.

Cheers,
Bottom Feeding Andrew