[Zen]

Hey everyone,

Was just curious as to how the naming of routes and problems comes about, does the person to claim first ascent get the privilege or does it go to the first person to discover it?

While we're on the subject has anyone climbed, heard of, or invented any cool, funny, interesting, ridiculous or brilliantly-referrenced names?

[slackline]

Was just curious as to how the naming of routes and problems comes about, does the person to claim first ascent get the privilege or does it go to the first person to discover it?

First ascentionist, gets the right (sometimes a route/problem will be retro-claimed by someone who's done it before them, but often didn't bother to record/report it).

While we're on the subject has anyone climbed, heard of, or invented any cool, funny, interesting, ridiculous or brilliantly-referrenced names?

Hundreds out there, get a guidebook and read through them, context is harder to come by and you need to know the history and scene at the time of the ascent, but something like MaDMAn at Wimberry for example has a fairly obvious reference in its name.

[rodma]

Sur-prises  at Franchard Isatis is my fave. I can't do it though 

[fried]

Climbing skills and naming skills don't usually go hand in hand.

[tomtom]

My faves are

Tufa King Hard (chapel head scar)

Vice is nice (and the route immediately to the right is..) Incest is best (St Govans)

[Pantontino]

While we're on the subject has anyone climbed, heard of, or invented any cool, funny, interesting, ridiculous or brilliantly-referrenced names?

Just look up any George Smith or Martin Crook lines - they are the true masters of the route name. Jon Fullwood of UKB shire is also rather good when it comes to these things.

On the other hand I can think of some really talented climbers who should be banned from giving new route names...

[mrjonathanr]

I always liked 'Conan The Librarian'. Whoever thought up 'Winner Stays On' deserves a medal. 'West Side Story' is a great a name too. Try perusing the Peak Bouldering Guide, welshbouldering, lakesbloc and peakbouldering websites.

[Doylo]

John Redhead is the best

[mrjonathanr]

Demons of Bosch is superb especially with bolt shenanigans, but quality of names varies.

[dave]

Whoever thought up 'Winner Stays On' deserves a medal.

Gold, silver or bronze? I'll PM you my address.

[psychomansam]

I'm quite a fan of the 2011 route "Fuck the Coalition".

It also gives you an idea of the need for context

[mrjonathanr]

Rack 'em up 

[SA Chris]

I've always liked My Karma ran over my Dogma

[Jaspersharpe]

John Redhead is the best

I concur. Quality of route names (despite some shockers) was almost as big a competition as first ascents between him and Johnny. They pushed each other on both. Don't think anyone's come close since then.

[butters]

I'm quite a fan of the 2011 route "Fuck the Coalition".

I had no idea Sloper did a new route in 2011...

[Monolith]

It's absolutely jinxing it, pointless and silly to have a name pre-ascent but the one I've had for four years in waiting (for a hopeful imminent send!) that I'm bursting to inscribe: Spanned-out ballet.

The climbing's spanned out and you're on front points. No pressure like.

[slackline]

Didn't know you ice-climbed Tom.

[tomtom]

I'm going to try and persuade AndyP to name one of his new problems 'Bongo pockets'...

[Pantontino]

As if by magic I've just got an email from Big G this morning with pics of a new route he has done with Martin on Elidir Fawr. It's called:

Two Flat Sprags

Recently they did another route called:

Surreal Estate (which is found in the Housetrap Zawn - context is everything)

[Zen]

Some absolute belters there, 'Demons of Bosch' and 'Conan the Librarian' I found particularly excellent! My experience so far has been with problems not dissimilar to 'Tricky Traverse' and 'Scary Arete' etc. I imagine this is more to do with the level of the problems rather than an on-the-spot lack of imagination...

[metal arms]

I like 'Grab and Flash It' on Gribbin Facet.

[Monolith]

Didn't know you ice-climbed Tom.

Didn't I mention it was a dry tooling exercise Slackers? 

[SA Chris]

Spandex Ballet? Double 80s tribute?

[Monolith]

That's weekend behaviour Christopher 

[Doylo]

Shaft of the Dead Man is my favourite JR name