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General Climbing Discussion

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Ben Lomond Tat Free, Lazy Litterbugs Not Welcome 31-Mar-2008 At 3:31:21 PM Tastrad

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It was not I that created the situation - it is the people who put the bolts in, and the people leaving tat on the cliff. There was minimal tat on the cliff for the first 25 years because people generally went all the way to the top and walked down. The only tat was on Masterblaster, but that didn't appear till the early 90's. Unless there is an accident, danger, bad weather or impending nightfall , there is no excuse for leaving tat on the cliff. This problem has only occured in the last 15 years or so with a modern generation who either a/ want the convenience of abseil bolts and can't be bothered walking down b/ adopt a sport climbing mentality and lower off after one pitch because they think the second pitches are inferior c/ or are unfit or lack the skills to do these climbs. Climb to the top like we used to in the 80's and walk down the gully , which is mostly scree slope - not much environmental damage at all. As far as hypocrisy and double standards, bolting at crags like Hillwood and the Gorge can't be compared. Bolting is o.k in some contexts, but not a traditional wilderness venue like the Ben - one of the last remaining bastions of purity left in Australia.