With the low bolt in place it makes the route fairly feasible as a ground-up flash/onsight
Yeah but everyone who did Kudos originally had to do the font 7c start and that would have been a very hard flash. I think with the easier start it's definitely flashable and so Bonjoy is correct in bolting it accordingly.
Absolutely, you're talking about swapping a 7c start on a polished foothold with a 7a+ start on positive footholds, at the time it was about the hardest move at Rubicon and didn't get a lot of quick repeats. Also don't forget the new ledge of hand holds which has appeared. I can't remember for sure but I think it might have been Mr Sharples who came up with the easy way.
ted, its my impression that the "easy" (actually harder) way is only possible with the jug ledge in place - or maybe it woudl be possible but would be deffo much harder than any other beta. and also bear in mind that the current state of the "easy" sidepull is not as great as it once was. didn't the route used to be 8a+ with the very hard original start?
Not wanting to sound boastful but as the question's been asked, I also flashed the original version of Kudos when I did it years ago, shown by Quentin (1992 I think, LOOK AT ME). This was pre pads so I shit myself when I got to the break and realised how high up I was. I had to reverse and jump off but fortunately had the big Dr spotting me, as good as a pad really!
I was not aware that the sidepull had altered. Hot Fun was graded 8a by Moonie in 86 when first done - it was the first 8a in the Peak but not the UK, that was of course Statement, the first 8a+ in the UK being Revelations in 84.
soloing caviar would be proper balls-deep - that top section ain't easy for a kickoff! and the ground is very hard.
Not true, Revelations was 8a when first done. The crux pocket got worse due to either blow torching or sika in the back to stop seepage (I've heard both reasons put forward). So Caviar was the first 8a+, despite what Northern Limestone says.
and also bear in mind that the current state of the "easy" sidepull is not as great as it once was.