[uptown]

I'm working my way through the classic traverses in training for one of my own.
Two questions on a pair I did today -

Mindbend - does this use the two big holds near the start (the obvious higher one and big layaway) before dropping down?
Or does it eliminate them for favour of the slopey ramp and small pocket undercut?
It doesn't seem V9 with them, but would be very eliminate without.

The V10(?) traverse on the Keel block - Where does it finish?
At the end of sloper patrol? Although this is in no-man's land, or reversing SP then rocking up around the arete at the start of SP?

Any ideas appreciated, plus a better consensus on the grades.

[Pantontino]

The text in the guide is ambiguous, but If you consider that All Natural gets V11, it would seem logical that the V10 you speak of would have to go all the way to the start of Sloper Patrol - I always thought this was a better problem going up hill anyway.

As for Mindbend - I got right to the end once, but can't really remember what is in and what is not. I'll ask Streaky tommorrow (it's his problem); he's a regular in the Gallt y Glyn on Wednesday nights.

Have you done Top Cat Traverse or Grape Strain? Just wondered if anybody did these nowadays. The last section of TCT is described incorrectly in the guide - it actually finishes up Problem 23.

[Pantontino]

As for the grades - I wouldn't be surprised if they were wrong. Lots of the harder problems in the guide are way over what they should be.

Somebody should produce a new guide. Now there's a vacuum that needs filling.

[Pantontino]

Streaky reckons that he didn't purposefully eliminate anything, but that his feet stayed at the same level for the duration (i.e. in the low break). Harder lower versions are possible (apparently), but that is not how the man gone done the first deed.

Hope that helps.

[uptown]

Cheers Si,
Both Top Cat and Grape Strain are indeed class.
I presume TC is one of yours but who did the FA of GS?
I have to say that the Cliff must have the best grit traverses known to man!
Agreed sentiments about the guide - what is ACD up to now?

[Pantontino]

Grape Strain is also one of mine - I had a penchant for sideways slopey things at the time. Actually, I still do - I'm just off out to the Barrel in a minute for some reverse stylee linkage.

Not sure what ACD is doing these days?