Actual i meant something like this you often see: http://27crags.com/crags/terradets/routes/mallorca-es-funky
Just an example

I dont' 100% agree with some of what has been posted on this thread about routes being squeezed in. Squeezed routes are the plague of the modern climber. "I MUST GET MY NAME IN THE GUIDE BOOK, THEREFORE I WILL FORCE THIS LINE FOR AN FA NEXT TO AN ESTABLISHED LINE."

Bad news, bad form.

I applaud your concern for etiquette. It is the rare beginner who worries about getting off-route on a 5.13a.

Well it was an example from my part as I said

I've just been studying the routes around my hometown and been wondering how they go especially in those squeezed in situations. So its basically common sense in this case I should use? If there are not many lines next to each other then i can find holds a meter or two from the route line. And in the case of closely put routes one has to figure out which holds belong to which route.

I dont know how the specific situation on mallorca, but generally those lines (no matter if on a photo or a drawing) should just give some rough orientation where you go.
With easier stuff, the routes often follow natural features, such as cracks or chimneys. There you probably have to at least keep one hand/foot in the feature the line follows. Not because of some rule, but rather because if you dont do it, the route will become much much harder, since you are ignoring you best holds.

If it gets harder, and the rock is lacking some features, it is sometimes something like "follow the sinters", or "stay in the black water streak", or "do not use the crack on the left!". In many guidebooks its in the description, if some "rule" like this applies.

My personal "rule" for sport climbing is the following: "if i can reach the bolts without having to change my intended path, i am on the route, except the guidebook says something specific"

You will get used to reading topos and other kinds of route descriptions after a while, and you will do your fair share of mistakes.

Reading topos is not rocket science, but it is a skill that has to be learned. So if you are starting out, be carefull with your claims what routes you have done. No one will laugh at you (at least not too much) if you mix up some routes, but you will get ridiculed if you are bragging about all your hard routes, and it turns out you always accidentally did the much easier stuff.

qwert

I know already that this is a stupid question, but how do you read outdoors rock climbing topos?

I can't disagree about staying "on route" with squeeze jobs. It's more that squeeze jobs bug the hell out of me. They are popping up more and more at established area all in the name of getting someones name in the guide books.

I wonder if it is someone wanting their name in a guide book, or someone wanting another climb to "tick off" on their ticklist. Or, maybe, a bit of both.

I far prefer a climb listed with "many variations are possible" as part of the description.

I know already that this is a stupid question, but how do you read outdoors rock climbing topos? If there is a red line drawn on a picture of a rock does that basically mean that your torso should follow the line?

You're required to be within 2 torso-widths of the bolt line. It's terribly unfair to people with narrow torsos, but those are the rules.

Jay

One of the crags I go to actually has lines painted down the clif face to keep you on route. It is the most awful thing I have ever seen. Like others have said if I can reach the bolts and holds A B or C then I am on route. If "rules" need to be in place then routes are too close.

Eric K

Lucky for me I have albatross wingspan to go with my narrow torso. Probly more of an advantage than wide torso with t-rex arms.