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vertical_reality


Apr 21, 2004, 5:28 PM
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Holy Bolts
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I have no big wall experience and this picture got me wondering.
Have a look at this pic...

http://www.rockclimbing.com/photos.php?Action=ListPhoto&PhotoID=29325

Are there usually this many bolts at a belay station? If so, why?


slablizard


Apr 21, 2004, 5:32 PM
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Why? Look at the amount of gear those guys have to deal with! :-)


asandh


Apr 21, 2004, 5:49 PM
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:)


vertical_reality


Apr 21, 2004, 6:17 PM
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In reply to:
Not uncommon, but 2 sets of 2 bolts a few feet apart is usually sufficient. This is at a belay usually used for a bivy.

Do you mean that at a normal belay station there are 2 sets of 2 bolts and at bivy belay there are more?


smithclimber


Apr 21, 2004, 6:18 PM
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I believe this particular belay had 5 bolts. Part of that reason was because not all of them were ideal. In other words, in the past there was probably just 3 bolts (with 2 of them not being so great) so eventually someone added 2 more good bolts to make the belay very safe. On non-big wall routes people will remove the "less than ideal" bolt(s) when putting the replacements in. However, on big walls it is common to just add the new ones and leave the old ones too (for the "spreading" reason listed below).

On big walls, the belays can vary greatly. Although you might encounter an all gear belay anchor or maybe one bolt + gear, you will routinely find a 3 bolt anchor. Sometimes there is just 2 bolts (just like a sport climb might have) and sometimes you get a really nice belay that has 4 or even 5 bolts spread out horizontally.

When you have 4 or 5 bolts, spread horizontally, it really gives you space by allowing the two (or more) climbers to "spread out". :D

It's nice to have some room for the portaledges, haulbags, etc.
Even when there are only 3 bolts, it's best for them to be spread well apart (unlike 3 bolt anchors on sport routes) to allow the team to "spread out".
Naturally, you can make it all work on an anchor that only consists of 2 bolts, but it's not much fun and has to be planned out very well.

Keep in mind that you typically find belays with more bolts at intervals where most parties set up their bivy for the night (i.e. the end of Pitch 4, 8, 12, etc.). You aren't going to find a 5 bolt anchor at the top of Pitch 1! :lol:


vertical_reality


Apr 21, 2004, 6:30 PM
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Cool, thanks guys.


boltdude


Apr 21, 2004, 6:37 PM
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When Chris McNamara, Erik Sloan, and Jason Smith (Singer) replaced bolts in '97 on Zodiac, there were literally 15 bolts (not 14, 15!) - all 1/4" - at the Mark of Zorro belay.

Even on free climbs, it's not uncommon to run into belay stations with three or four 1/4" bolts, and I've seen at least a couple stations that had five 1/4" bolts. All attached with a big mess of webbing of course...

So that picture looks like a lot of bolts, but imagine 2 or 3 old rusty 1/4" bolts for EACH of those bolts you see in the picture!


maculated


Apr 21, 2004, 7:53 PM
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THAT is a sexy image.


asandh


Apr 21, 2004, 7:54 PM
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:)


bigwalling


Apr 21, 2004, 9:53 PM
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In reply to:
yes ASCA does good work.

I would say that 3 "good" bolts is adequate for a NON bivy belay. The 3rd bolt is to haul off of.

Bivy belay, 4 or 5 "good" bolts depending on the rock configuration.

What, you don't need a million bolts for a belay. There is such a thing as natural anchors or bolts supplemented with gear!


sarcat


Apr 21, 2004, 10:21 PM
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So when ever someone dosn't like the # of bolts they pull out their pika or pecker and place a new one? Who decides how many is enough?


caughtinside


Apr 21, 2004, 10:23 PM
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Oftentimes, the RBA (registered bolting authority) will make a determination if more belay bolts are necessary and issue a permit for belay bolts. To my knowledge though, they have never authorized a single chicken bolt.


asandh


Apr 21, 2004, 11:55 PM
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:)


copperhead


Apr 22, 2004, 6:27 AM
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In reply to:
Are there usually this many bolts at a belay station?

On FAs and routes that have not been done too many times, no. But in the case of trade routes, there are unfortunately an exorbitant amount of bolts. 5 bolts at a belay is ridiculous, no matter what route we are talking about.


In reply to:
If so, why?

Because chicken sh1ts and those in favor of convenience decide that they need to add a bolt to the belay, even if they have no clue about appropriate bolting hardware and respect for the route. The bolt that Lambone is hanging from appears to be a Euro? hammer-in funkmo-jivermaroler bolt… typical.

In reply to:
Part of that reason was because not all of them were ideal. In other words, in the past there was probably just 3 bolts (with 2 of them not being so great) so eventually someone added 2 more good bolts to make the belay very safe.

And there lies the very heart of the problem.


In reply to:
On non-big wall routes people will remove the "less than ideal" bolt(s) when putting the replacements in. However, on big walls it is common to just add the new ones and leave the old ones too (for the "spreading" reason listed below).


Add bolts? Common? Maybe, but is it right? Ruckerfrigate, no! I have learned from a few mistakes of my own; we all learn. But, I have also witnessed the results of some very misguided and poor re-bolting judgement… Like new 3/8” bolts placed inches from the original bolts and the old bolts still remain… or drilling an entire new ladder of 3/8” bolts a few feet to the left of the original line, with longer bolt spacing, on one of the most historically sporty rivet ladders on the Captain. Yup, the Trip, the route listed and pictured above. So much for Porter’s vision and style on that one… Not that it was an intended style to begin with but it is what it is (or was…). Now, it is an entirely different route, and nothing like the original. The route was re-bolted with the intent to create a safer route using bolting hardware that will last for decades. Sounds good, except that the style and character of the original route was totally disregarded and the most important rule of re-bolting completely forgotten… Re-use the original hole when possible!!! What about even cleaning the old bolts???!!! A year later…

What happened to the first four rivets of Zenyatta? Don’t like an uncomfortable bivy? Know how to move boulders? Like to trundle?

Oh, and the Aquarian… now there’s a prime example. Who wants to stand on aluminum dowels when you can replace every single one of them with a 3/8” belay bolt? Well, Bridwell didn’t seem to agree… but who the F is Bridwell and why should anyone give a schist about anything that the FAist says, especially when they have been one of the most prominent Yosemite big wall FAists in history… Ah, screw ‘em… who cares.

But you know what?… All of the climbing is relatively easy by modern standards and it would be a good moderate wall route so all of the bolts should be really safe so all the more climbers will be able to enjoy the route…so…so… Yeah, right!!!!!

And the multitude of other ‘trade’ routes that now SPORT 3/8” bolts in the middle of a crux where a mere body-weight rivet once existed… unacceptable.


Did someone say Zodiac?



In reply to:
When you have 4 or 5 bolts, spread horizontally, it really gives you space by allowing the two (or more) climbers to "spread out".

PTPP heaven and route debauchery. Should the belay accommodate the climber or should the climber accommodate the belay?

Nothing personal towards you, Wes – just using an easy example to explain my (as well as many others’) feelings on the subject.


In reply to:
What, you don't need a million bolts for a belay. There is such a thing as natural anchors or bolts supplemented with gear!

Yes. So Jake may not have climbed El Cap YET, but at least when he does, we don’t have to worry about him wussy-drilling on a proud route. (It’s good to see guys like Bigwalling and Diesel with a little attitude and a good sense of respect for old school ethics. Spread the knowledge.)

Looks like a nice crack running through the middle of the belay that could probably accept at least a half-dozen pieces… but that wouldn’t be very convenient… especially for a party of three. And who gives a schist about what the FAist did…

(You guys (SmithC,...) might have a piece in the crack; I can’t tell. It’s the ones that placed the bolts, not you! No dis…)


In reply to:
So when ever someone dosn't like the # of bolts they pull out their pika or pecker and place a new one? Who decides how many is enough?

Or they pull out their wrench and/or hammer, etc. and remove one (or more…). The FA team decides how many is enough and those who choose to follow should respect that number of bolts. When replacement is necessary, original bolts should be pulled and the same (original) hole should be re-used. When this is impossible (bolt breaks off), the original hole should be patched and a new hole drilled next to the old one. Etc., details involved.

In reply to:
Oftentimes, the RBA (registered bolting authority) will make a determination if more belay bolts are necessary and issue a permit for belay bolts. To my knowledge though, they have never authorized a single chicken bolt.

Uh, that would be the RBCA – Retro Bolt Choppers of America. Bolt addition permits are not issued on this planet by this organization; removal of added (retro) “chicken” bolts is supported. Sometimes, if community consensus decides that “chicken” or added bolts are better left alone, then this decision is accepted and the bolts are left or replaced. Cookie Monster (Cookie Cliff - the cover of your guidebook) would be a good example of an exception to the rule though there are individuals that still believe that the bolts should go.


In reply to:
Sometimes those 2 birdbeaks I normally use to set up a wall anchor are just not strong enough to hold me and the haul bag.


But they (equalized) will probably hold the haulbag or gear bag if you bounce-test each of them first.

What if a belay consists of two good 3/8” bolts but the bolts are separated by fixed heads and a hook placement (that can all be equalized) and it is necessary to weight the heads to cross from one bolt to the other? Call BS on the FA and drill another bolt in the middle of the belay? Or spend the time/effort/skill to deal?


So, is any creativity used to design belays on the FA destined to sooner or later become lost to modern ‘lack’ of ethics and respect? Huh? Homogenized, sterilized, killed at its core? Should the boldness of the FA soloist’s belay become reduced to accept the norm?






Look for the final version (details) of the Re-bolting Ethics and Guidelines piece that I have been working on, somewhere, sometime in the (hopefully near) future…


Respect the original route.
Don’t add.
Replace with appropriate hardware.
Speak the Word.
Have fun!!!



-American Chopper
......vroom, vroom!!


epic_ed


Apr 22, 2004, 6:56 AM
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Nice insight, Byran. Thanks for posting your perspective.


justsendingits


Apr 22, 2004, 7:08 AM
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Point taken, advantage Brian!!!


ricardol


Apr 22, 2004, 7:19 AM
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so bryan .. why dont you tell us how you really feel about this..

-- ricardo


timpanogos


Apr 22, 2004, 7:28 AM
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"Slater was shocked when he tested the first rivet and it pulled out of the rock. Rob held onto the pulled rivet to place next to rivets up higher andto see just how far they were drilled into the rock. Some machine heads were only in three threads!"

So if any manky/missing rivets are replaced on WSR - only 3 threads deep - right?

Chad


justsendingits


Apr 22, 2004, 7:46 AM
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[quote="copperhead"

. 5 bolts at a belay is ridiculous, no matter what route we are talking about.

Agreed!!

]


Copperhead----Add bolts? Common? Maybe, but is it right? Ruckerfrigate, no! I have learned from a few mistakes of my own; we all learn. But, I have also witnessed the results of some very misguided and poor re-bolting judgement… Like new 3/8” bolts placed inches from the original bolts and the old bolts still remain… or drilling an entire new ladder of 3/8” bolts a few feet to the left of the original line, with longer bolt spacing, on one of the most historically sporty rivet ladders on the Captain. Yup, the Trip, the route listed and pictured above. So much for Porter’s vision and style on that one… Not that it was an intended style to begin with but it is what it is (or was…). Now, it is an entirely different route, and nothing like the original. The route was re-bolted with the intent to create a safer route using bolting hardware that will last for decades. Sounds good, except that the style and character of the original route was totally disregarded and the most important rule of re-bolting completely forgotten… Re-use the original hole when possible!!! What about even cleaning the old bolts???!!! A year later…



Brian, I try to learn from my mistakes also, maybe if I get on T-trip again I will chop some of those belay's with too many bolts. I think I saw 7 bolts at a belay on Zodiac!! A bit much!!!









Copperhead----Should the belay accommodate the climber or should the climber accommodate the belay?



The latter.



Copperhead----Looks like a nice crack running through the middle of the belay that could probably accept at least a half-dozen pieces… but that wouldn’t be very convenient… especially for a party of three. And who gives a schist about what the FAist did…


Word!





















Respect the original route.
Don’t add.
Replace with appropriate hardware.
Speak the Word.
Have fun!!!



Double word!!!!!


-American Chopper
......vroom, vroom!!





Get rid of your wussy 2 stroke and get the BMW GS1150 !!!!!!!






.


timpanogos


Apr 22, 2004, 10:38 AM
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horse power to weight ratio - that wossie 2 stock likely kicks but on the monster bike

roughly 93 horsepower for 225 pounds.

waaa hooo

Only reason you would beat it (to 70) on the steet is you have to back of the gas to keep it from coming over on ya (handle bars at waist)

nothing like a dirt road and that back end cocked sideways trying to come around the front wheel - love that feeling!


justsendingits


Apr 22, 2004, 12:18 PM
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Thread hijack in progress!!



I love 2 strokes Tim, I was just giving Chopperhead some sh(te..

The first time I rode a Suzuki RM 125 back in 1978, ranks up there with the first time I got a bonner!!!


sarcat


Apr 22, 2004, 2:19 PM
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Respect the route..... What about progress? Isn't progress good for everyone?


ricardol


Apr 22, 2004, 3:08 PM
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In reply to:
Brian, I try to learn from my mistakes also, maybe if I get on T-trip again I will chop some of those belay's with too many bolts. I think I saw 7 bolts at a belay on Zodiac!! A bit much!!!
.

... talk about creative reporting ..

none of the belays on zodiac had more than 5 bolts ...

most had 3 ..

-- ricardo


papounet


Apr 22, 2004, 3:50 PM
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In reply to:
The first time I rode a Suzuki RM 125 back in 1978, ranks up there with the first time I got a bonner!!!

did it hapen at the same time because you were lying on top of the reservoir in order to reduce the drag ?

or was it because you seduced a drag ?

:P :P :P


asandh


Apr 22, 2004, 3:55 PM
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:)


ricardol


Apr 22, 2004, 4:25 PM
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In reply to:
I think its time for a prozac refill for some of you ..... copperhead

any FA that sets up a "belay" with 2 bolts so far apart that you need to hook your way between them is a total idiot and deserves to have his route changed. Yosemite is not "The great big wall wilderness" anymore .... its disneyland in the sky. If you want adventure and real fear, go to Baffin Island ....

there are so many drama queens on this thread ..

-- ricardo


lambone


Apr 22, 2004, 4:29 PM
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In reply to:


The bolt that Lambone is hanging from appears to be a Euro? hammer-in funkmo-jivermaroler bolt… typical.


-American Chopper
......vroom, vroom!!

Yeah, totally, it almost looked like a Baby Angle driven into a hole. Kinda funky.

The Trip is definately not a route to do if you are against retro-bolting. However it is a good route for newbie trade route climbers because the aid is mostly easy and it is largely a clip-up sport aid route. I would have liked to witness whoever retroed that route hand drill those hundreds of 3/8" lead bolts...hehe yeah right :roll: lame.

Still a cool climb in my opinion though, if you want something harder and less tame, then there are definately plenty of options on El Cap.

Yall like my man-boobs in that shot?

BTW- we didn't place or remove any bolts on this route...I suppose maybe we should have taken some cleaning and patching gear, but we were just focused on getting up the thing...


Partner calamity_chk


Apr 22, 2004, 4:34 PM
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you know, it would be way rad if this site could host an ethical debate - just once - that doesnt turn into a name-calling flamefest. not too terribly long ago, brutus and madmax set an excellent precedent on how to disagree with maturity and respect. (http://www.rockclimbing.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=56511&postdays=0&postorder=asc&topic_view=&start=45 )

there are two very passionate schools of thought about bolting, and both sides have fairly intelligent and articulate people. perhaps these people could have a public discussion about the matter without getting personal so that those of us who are still developing thoughts and opinions about the matter can glean something from both sides of the story. well, something more profound than "wow, that person's an ass."


justsendingits


Apr 22, 2004, 5:27 PM
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In reply to:
In reply to:
Brian, I try to learn from my mistakes also, maybe if I get on T-trip again I will chop some of those belay's with too many bolts. I think I saw 7 bolts at a belay on Zodiac!! A bit much!!!
.

... talk about creative reporting ..

none of the belays on zodiac had more than 5 bolts ...

most had 3 ..

-- ricardo

The key words here were, "I think"
It was alsmost 3 years ago when I did the route.
I thought I saw 7 bolts at a belay, guess i was wrong.


chronicle


Apr 22, 2004, 6:20 PM
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Copperhead - That was the longest reply I've ever read through. usually I would skip past those, but you spoke with so much passion, I was addicted.

In reply to:
you know, it would be way rad if this site could host an ethical debate - just once - that doesnt turn into a name-calling flamefest.

Amber - It would be nice. But I think those days are long gone. One reason I don't post ethical comments on this site.


mikeehartley


Apr 23, 2004, 2:19 AM
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Life is not black and white. While adding bolts to a belay may often be lame and at times change the character of the route (as I guess Sea of Dreams has changed - I've never climbed it) there may be good reason at times to do so. Zodiac was put up solo in the days before most people were packing portaledges. What's a reasonable belay for someone solo in a hammock may be a total pain in the ass for 2 or 3 climbers and ledges. Hell I don't know but I seriously doubt that Porter was thinking about anything but getting up the route in the most efficient way and having a great adventure - not about making a reasonable belay for multiple people or the fact that it one day may see over 30 ascents in one month.

Also on a big FA there is always so much work and drilling anyhow who's going to go out of their way to add bolts to a belay when they just drilled maybe 20 or so by hand for fun earlier? Tired and whipped you just may do the easiest thing at the time and collapse even though you'd like an extra bolt or two.

The answers aren't always simple. Not all change is a totally bad thing.


copperhead


Apr 23, 2004, 9:19 PM
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In reply to:
"Slater was shocked when he tested the first rivet and it pulled out of the rock. Rob held onto the pulled rivet to place next to rivets up higher andto see just how far they were drilled into the rock. Some machine heads were only in three threads!"

So if any manky/missing rivets are replaced on WSR - only 3 threads deep - right?

You should see the rivets that I pulled out of the beginning of the 6th pitch of Zenyatta… yup, about three threads and mushroomed because they are fine-thread machine bolts. I believe that there are/were at least three different types of rivets on the route… experimentation…

No, they shouldn’t be replaced with the exact same thing, they should be replaced with something comparable, but that also fits our needs – replace-ability, longevity, and function, etc… A 1/4” x 1 1/2” Rawl button head with two small washers fits the description, not another machine head, nor a 3/8” bolt.

In reply to:
Respect the route..... What about progress? Isn't progress good for everyone?

Progress? Adding bolts is more like regression. Shouldn’t we strive to climb with as few bolts as possible, especially as our gear technology advances? That is progress. Retro bolting the piss out of a route so that everyone can enjoy it is not progress.


In reply to:
I think its time for a prozac refill for some of you ..... copperhead

Thanks, but I’ll have a beer instead… though I’m still working on my Dr. Pepper at the moment…


In reply to:
any FA that sets up a "belay" with 2 bolts so far apart that you need to hook your way between them is a total idiot and deserves to have his route changed. Yosemite is not "The great big wall wilderness" anymore .... its disneyland in the sky. If you want adventure and real fear, go to Baffin Island ....

Well, I guess that total idiot would be me then… and on more than one route. Why do I deserve to have my routes changed? You know, I would probably take personal offense to that but, given your attitude, the chances of you even seeing those belays are pretty slim. So, I’m not too worried.

Yes, I would agree that the Valley floor is Disneyland but I wasn’t aware that wall climbs had now been included. No more adventure and real fear in Yosemite, eh? I’ll keep that in mind (while I’m wearing a T-shirt…).



No, life is not all black and white, nor are all decisions concerning replacement, removal, or addition of bolts. Nothing is simple, so might as well discuss things, right?


One thing that I forgot to mention earlier is that when original bolts, as well as chicken bolts are replaced, it makes it difficult for someone to come along latter and figure out what was original and what wasn’t. If chicken bolts are removed when the original bolts are replaced, then there isn’t much question as to whether the hole is original or not.

I could go an all day but have lots to do. Maybe it’s best to continue this discussion over a few beers.


copperhead


Apr 23, 2004, 9:31 PM
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Well, being Copperhead’s last post (with no better place to post it than on a bolting thread (and especially a holy one...)), I thought I’d leave you with some Iron Maiden lyrics. (Yes, Maiden rules the underworld.)



Climb smart.
Respect your fellow climbers and the rock.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!


Yeeeeeehaw!!! I’m outta here!!! It’s been fun.

See you in the real world!





"Woe to you, oh Earth and Sea, for the Devil sends the beast with wrath, because he knows the time is short…
Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast for it is a human number, its number is six hundred and sixty six." - Revelations...



I left alone, my mind was blank,
I needed time to think to get the memories from my mind.

What did I see, can I believe that what I saw
That night was real and not just fantasy.

Just what I saw, in my own dreams, were they
Reflections of my warped mind staring back at me?

'Cos in my dreams, it’s always there, the evil face that twists my mind
And brings me to despair.

The night was black, was no use holding back,
'Cos I just had to see was someone watching me?
In the mist dark figures move and twist,
Was this all for real or some kind of hell?
666, the number of the beast,
Hell and fire were spawned to be released.

Torches blazed and sacred chants were praised,
As they start to cry, hands held to the sky.
In the night, the fires are burning bright,
The ritual has begun, Satan’s work is done.
666, the number of the beast,
Sacrifice is going on tonight.

This can’t go on, I must inform the law,
Can this still be real or some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn toward the evil chanting hordes,
They seem to mesmerize me… can’t avoid their eyes.
666, the number of the beast,
666, the one for you and me.

I’m coming back, I will return,
And I’ll possess your body and make you burn.
I have the fire, I have the force,
I have the power to make my evil take its course.





Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast
1982


ricardol


Apr 23, 2004, 10:26 PM
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In reply to:
In reply to:
In reply to:
Brian, I try to learn from my mistakes also, maybe if I get on T-trip again I will chop some of those belay's with too many bolts. I think I saw 7 bolts at a belay on Zodiac!! A bit much!!!
.

... talk about creative reporting ..

none of the belays on zodiac had more than 5 bolts ...

most had 3 ..

-- ricardo

The key words here were, "I think"
It was alsmost 3 years ago when I did the route.
I thought I saw 7 bolts at a belay, guess i was wrong.

.. you are probably corect then ..

i saw ALOT of chopped bolts along the way (and in belays) .. so there probably was abelay with 7 bolts .. that has been chopped and tamed ...

-- ricardo


dredsovrn


Apr 23, 2004, 11:17 PM
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Got Bolts?


ricardol


Apr 25, 2004, 3:43 AM
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In reply to:
"Zodiac was put up solo..." Not so, mike. Even if it were it doesn't justify someone altering an existing route to suit his convenience.

.

umm -- zodiac FA was a 7 day ascent by porter ... solo .. its well known

-- ricardo


ricardol


Apr 26, 2004, 8:19 PM
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Speak for yourself ricardo. Some people are just plain wrong...

are you saying that the FA of zodiac was not a solo ascent by porter ..

.. do tell us who his partner was..

-- ricardo


lambone


Apr 26, 2004, 8:40 PM
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Yeah pmyche, what gives?

And if that is the case you may want to bring it up with the Supertopo editors...'cause that'd be one big glaring mistake in an otherwise kick ass collection of Big wall history...


ricardol


Apr 27, 2004, 12:47 AM
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I'm not saying that, riccardol.

= ]

Ya think I don't know my history on Tangerine Trip?

.. alkright -- now i know you've been laying into the hooch prior to logging on to rc.com ..

... pmyche -- what the heck are you saying? ---

-- ricardo


sd


Apr 27, 2004, 12:47 AM
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Was expecting someone offering to sell/buy some bolts which had been blessed. I'm disappointed :(


brutusofwyde


May 1, 2004, 12:55 AM
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In reply to:
On FAs and routes that have not been done too many times, no. But in the case of trade routes, there are unfortunately an exorbitant amount of bolts. 5 bolts at a belay is ridiculous, no matter what route we are talking about.


In reply to:
If so, why?

Because chicken sh1ts and those in favor of convenience decide that they need to add a bolt to the belay, even if they have no clue about appropriate bolting hardware and respect for the route. The bolt that Lambone is hanging from appears to be a Euro? hammer-in funkmo-jivermaroler bolt… typical.

In reply to:
Part of that reason was because not all of them were ideal. In other words, in the past there was probably just 3 bolts (with 2 of them not being so great) so eventually someone added 2 more good bolts to make the belay very safe.

And there lies the very heart of the problem.

When you do a second or third ascent, do you typically take rebolting gear to replace not only quarter-inch land mines but also non-stainless 3/8" bolts showing significant galvanic corrosion? Just curious. My big wall tools for rebolting are, at most, a crow bar and a tuning fork, plus bolting gear. Not too effective for some of the 3/8" contraptions out there that I wouldn't want to test with 3 haul bags and three beefy people.

I've added bolts in my time. No, it's not right, but without the tools to remove the old hardware, it may be your only sane choice. And 6 days up, options are limited.

Brutus, still low on the learning curve, added a bolt to a belay on Muir Wall that already had seven. Seven pieces of cr@p. That was before I started carrying a tuning fork.

--edited to add my initials in lower case to my post, just for copperhead's entertainment...

bbb


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