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General Climbing Discussion

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Rebolting Nowra 22-Jun-2012 At 8:25:57 AM ARidgley

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I'm not a Nowra local, nor have I climbed anywhere but Thompsons Point. I'm therefore not commenting on Nowra specifically but in general.

I don't buy any of your arguments ropedonkey. Climbing is dangerous. Get complacent or exceed your limits and it will bight you. There have been countless serious injuries on relatively easy climbs such as D-Minor. Should we put a bolt in it?

I do remember back to when I learnt to climb. It was at Arapiles with unknown gear and intimidating lines. My reaction was to climb well within myself. IMO, your attitude should not change just because you choose to climb at a sport climbing area. If you look up and and see a high first bolt, then choose another climb. If your mates are yelling at you, then tell them to &^%$ off. Maybe I'm a sook, but I have NEVER taken a grounder.

Times certainly change. I'm all for using micro-cams in Watchtower Face slabs to make them merely scary rather than terrifying. But reducing an inherently dangerous sport to a game of tiddley winks is not progress. It's devaluing everything that's gone before. There are a huger number of mega-classics that I would love to climb but that I never will because they are too scary for me. I therefore have great respect for those that do them. I can live with being unworthy. I don't need to make them less worthy merely to satisfy myself.

I have nothing whatsoever against sport climbing. But the existence of bolts should not take away a climber's personal responsibilties and judgement, because it's responsibility and judgement that makes the sport what it is.