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Sonnie Trotter Goes Down on Tasmania 23-Feb-2016 At 8:19:21 AM Karl Bromelow

Message

On 22/02/2016 simey wrote:

>It seems weird to be able to claim an ascent of say an E9 even though you
>didn't climb it in the required manner.

It's not that hard to understand though is it? The routes are graded, not the ascent according to style, otherwise half a dozen different grading systems would be required for every hard route. The default grading system is that for the purest style of ascent. Pretty much all hard trad climb first ascents over recent years have been described with reference to shortcomings in the style. It's all pretty honest and not worth getting too worked up about. Most hard UK climbers aren't deluded about their grade claims, I'm sure. Nobody is blowing their own trumpet too hard right now though the sponsors and media like to pump it up.

Cheers, Karl