[Doylo]

I think topping out is different. The problem finishes at the top! (And the top isn't that hard)

[lagerstarfish]

The problem finishes at the top! (And the top isn't that hard)

so the top isn't a problem?

it's the first half that's the problem?

[Doylo]

The problem finishes at the top! (And the top isn't that hard)

so the top isn't a problem?

it's the first half that's the problem?

It's the top of the boulder problem 

[lagerstarfish]

so the route and the boulder problem finish at the same place?

if he wanted to get to the top he'd go the easy way round the back, shirley

all he wants to do is get the half height break without being caught traversing anything

[Johnny Brown]

Anyone who claimed West side having worked it with a ladder, and then proceeded to traverse off halfway up would be a laughing stock!

[lagerstarfish]

now that you've pre-warned him, there's no chance we'll get that sort of entertainment is there?

[GCW]

Can I have the tick if I practice the top half from a ladder, then do it by traversing into half height?  E7?

[Wood FT]

can someone tell me why I should be disagreeing with this? I'm so confused...

[shark]

I'll be happy getting to the jug and getting to the jug is the boulder problem but if I ever get there it was always my intention at having a go at topping out because it looks appealing and that's where the line goes not because of what people might think.

[John Gillott]

C'mon Shark, get with the programme.

The only approved use of ladders is for laying horizontally on the ground to cover gaps between rocks as the first stage of building a multi-pad platform. All vertical uses strictly forbidden.

[TobyD]

I'll be happy getting to the jug and getting to the jug is the boulder problem but if I ever get there it was always my intention at having a go at topping out because it looks appealing and that's where the line goes not because of what people might think.

it would be a hollow and temporary happiness. man up, its only 5b/c to top out and not that high...

[lagerstarfish]

it would be a hollow and temporary happiness....

...compared to achieving a long term red-point goal - the chances of which would be seriously reduced by an injury due to falling off from highish up, no matter how easy the move

I'd just like to remind Shark that the consequences of a broken bone for a man well past 40 with 3 kids and significant work commitments are not trivial - especially if it meant he couldn't drive for a while.

You'll still be able to say "I did The Boulder Problem Previously Known as the Bottom Half of West Side Story". Maybe save the full ascent for when you're trying to impress/inspire one of the kids (in front of a bunch of their bouldering peers)?

While we're waiting for the next UKB interview could you use your in-front-of-camera skills to do a review of your Maplin ladder?

I for one am looking forward to some good natured British heckling at the crag whenever someone I know has a ladder out.

[205Chris]

its only 5b/c to top out

I think you'll find there's a surprisingly long list of people who's ability to climb 5b/c deserts them upon reaching the west side jug for the first time.

[tomtom]

Its a separate problem up to the porthole - called West Side Wibble.

[Doylo]

I did it the other way round. I've done the topout but not the start.

[shark]

C'mon Shark, get with the programme.

The only approved use of ladders is for laying horizontally on the ground to cover gaps between rocks as the first stage of building a multi-pad platform. All vertical uses strictly forbidden.

You're the one who's off programme - I'm at the cutting edge of tactics; see here at 2.50 

[John Gillott]

Very, very occasionally, sub-section 3.1.2 of the rules allows a ladder to be used for routes in excess of 8B. I'm sorry to say that WSS is now classified as 'a thirty year old mid-grade problem' best used for showboating.

[Fiend]

I'll be happy getting to the jug and getting to the jug is the boulder problem but if I ever get there it was always my intention at having a go at topping out because it looks appealing and that's where the line goes not because of what people might think.

Of course you bloody are. All this deflecting the issue with nonsense about summit ticks and peer approval is irrelevant bollox. You should be on WSS for the quality of the line and the beauty of of the movement and the former goes all the way to the top. Otherwise you might as well just build a replica indoors.

[shark]

I'll be happy getting to the jug and getting to the jug is the boulder problem but if I ever get there it was always my intention at having a go at topping out because it looks appealing and that's where the line goes not because of what people might think.

Of course you bloody are. All this deflecting the issue with nonsense about summit ticks and peer approval is irrelevant bollox. You should be on WSS for the quality of the line and the beauty of of the movement and the former goes all the way to the top. Otherwise you might as well just build a replica indoors.

I disagree. The hard climbing ends at a jug and a break where you can traverse off if you want to. This is a bona fide end to a boulder problem. It was put up as a micro route after all - pre mats obvs. The top out is optional ( a superior option) in my view (because of the jug/break) if doing it as a problem.

[Fiend]

Horse cock.

[Johnny Brown]

Ludicrous. Traversing off at the break is just that. Traverse in and work the top first if you want, but no top no tick.

[ghisino]

stupid question: i don't remember exactly if there are useful features above WSS but can't you just put a fixed line and use that, a grigri and a harness instead of a ladder???

anyway i remember the climbing past the jug being an enjoyable experience, especially as it's just the right difficulty compared to the bottom half.
Just have a proper look and brush at the last holds from above...

[Doylo]

It's a bit silly really because if you can do the bottom you should path the top. It's not a route anymore.

[abarro81]

It finishes at the top.

[dave]

Stick a cam in the break if its that much of an issue.