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General Climbing Discussion

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Are guidbooks killing the adventure climb ? 21-Sep-2007 At 8:32:36 AM climbau

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I think guidebooks have the ability to kill the adventure if you let yourself get trapped into thinking that they are the bible of all things climbing. Certainly there are those that are trapped and happy, goodluck to them. As you alluded BP, leaving the guide at home is a great way to have an adventure. I do just that at well established areas and try doing linkups and often dream up girdle traverses to inspire me.
However there is nothing as fun as writing your own guidebook. I had the pleasure of accompanying "The Addax" on Scythe (see above link) and many other smaller adventures of different climbing styles and to me that is the essence of climbing, I tend to use established routes as examples of what is possible and signs to look for in adventurising up new routes bolted or otherwise. Unfortunately adventurising is probably only 30% of my climbing due to my own perceived time restrictions and the allure of "convenience climbing". However, (lately) new bouldering areas seems to be a good answer to blending new routes with convenience.