I mean if the real ascentionist was genuinely that bothered about not wanting to "piss on the fire" of the original bolter then why not just not finish the route, it's not that hard to just let go before the belay.
I'm sure this will attract plenty of attention, so please respect the fact that I've spent time, effort and money gearing this by not climbing it until I have!
That Pollitt story is brilliant!Just remember that equipping a route takes vision and requires the resolution and skill to realise that vision.Bolting routes is exceptionally strenuous, especially on steeper rock - it's certainly much harder than simply going climbing! I'm sure most of us would just rather go climbing than waste our limited climbing days cleaning, drilling and bolting. Yet ultimately we all rely on the tenacity of dedicated individuals to 'create' the great routes we climb every week. Read these comments carefully since I hope they give an understanding into the bolter claiming first ascension rites.I've resurrected this thread since I have just bolted a route between Over the Moon and The Walking Mussel at LPT - the first new route here for 10 years (I think!). I'm sure this will attract plenty of attention, so please respect the fact that I've spent time, effort and money gearing this by not climbing it until I have!