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the shizzle => get involved: access, environment, BMC => Topic started by: Steve R on December 15, 2021, 10:54:28 am

Title: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Steve R on December 15, 2021, 10:54:28 am
Saw this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqIp1pM8hHI) this morning and whilst I wasn't sufficiently interested to watch much of it, the bits I did see were enough to motivate me to post it here and complain about it.
Firstly, would like to point out I really respect Pete as a climber (and as a person from the handful of times I've met him) and this isn't meant as a personal criticism.  More a general criticism and expression of concern on how increased participation and commercialisation of climbing have/are/will compromise the crags.

Anyway the things which made me wince in the video:
-the whole premise of charging around the plantation in a lame challenge context
-challenging other people/youtubers to do the same
-brushing vigorously (at damp rock for extra squirm factor) and filming it
-making the video on a wettish day, saying the rock's wet, doing it anyway
-etc.

I've nothing against people making money out of climbing (good on them) but I'd argue a line needs to be drawn where anything commercial involving outdoor climbing on real rock has to first off be about education and a (once well established?) culture of respect.   Respect for the environment, rock, other climbers, other poeple there, etc. Pious and boring as that may be.

Also master's edge  - just leave it the fuck alone now.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 15, 2021, 10:57:31 am
I definitely was surprised to see someone say "ah yeah its wet! Annoying" and then climb loads of stuff. I imagine it was mostly dry but still.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: steveri on December 15, 2021, 11:25:06 am
I'm not normally a fan of 'my kind of fun is better than your kind of fun' ...but not my kind of fun. The rock is a playground sure but it's not a flipping playground.

I was just thinking earlier, as a tribe we really do lack imagination. Ah, Plantation! Almost all the offbeat venues I've been to recently have been great days out.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: 36chambers on December 15, 2021, 11:45:31 am
Anyway the things which made me wince in the video:
-the whole premise of charging around the plantation in a lame challenge context
-challenging other people/youtubers to do the same
-brushing vigorously (at damp rock for extra squirm factor) and filming it
-making the video on a wettish day, saying the rock's wet, doing it anyway
-etc.

- Dragging the pads all over the place.
- At one point, only cleaning one shoe saying he only needs the one, then using the dirty wet one anyway...

It all seems rather poorly thought out. I blame youtube for hiding dislikes.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: spidermonkey09 on December 15, 2021, 11:52:14 am
Shit, shit practice. Just take it down already.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Will Hunt on December 15, 2021, 11:54:00 am
Anyway the things which made me wince in the video:
-the whole premise of charging around the plantation in a lame challenge context
-challenging other people/youtubers to do the same
-brushing vigorously (at damp rock for extra squirm factor) and filming it
-making the video on a wettish day, saying the rock's wet, doing it anyway
-etc.

-heels on the Green Traverse

- Dragging the pads all over the place.
- At one point, only cleaning one shoe saying he only needs the one, then using the dirty wet one anyway...

It all seems rather poorly thought out. I blame youtube for hiding dislikes.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Duma on December 15, 2021, 11:54:37 am
- V grades
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Will Hunt on December 15, 2021, 12:05:36 pm
- chalking the foothold on Not to be Taken Away.

I don't participate in witch hunts, and the rock didn't look particularly wet, though it was clearly mizzling at one point, but I'm astonished that social media savvy people would put that up with so much in it to rile up the internet mob.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: remus on December 15, 2021, 12:27:23 pm
Anyway the things which made me wince in the video:
-the whole premise of charging around the plantation in a lame challenge context
-challenging other people/youtubers to do the same
...

Also master's edge - just leave it the fuck alone now.


It's an interesting pont, but at the same time I feel like as more experienced climbers we can be a bit hypocritical when it comes to heavy usage of particular venues. I guess there's plenty of sheffield based climbers on here who enjoy a good solo circuit up on stanage (for the nth time), or a quick hit to plantation.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Ross Barker on December 15, 2021, 01:01:11 pm
Video appears to have been taken down now, just as I was getting ready to see all the fuss.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bradders on December 15, 2021, 01:18:49 pm
Video appears to have been taken down now, just as I was getting ready to see all the fuss.

Ah man, I was saving that till later!
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: teestub on December 15, 2021, 01:23:47 pm
Ah shit, I just found my pitchfork at the back of the shed, what am I meant to do with these flaming torches now?
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bradders on December 15, 2021, 01:27:23 pm
Burn the heretics anyway, it's 2021 we don't need evidence!
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Johnny Brown on December 15, 2021, 01:44:15 pm
Quote
Firstly, would like to point out I really respect Pete as a climber (and as a person from the handful of times I've met him) and this isn't meant as a personal criticism.

Pete who?
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: SA Chris on December 15, 2021, 01:59:21 pm
P-Widdy
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: 36chambers on December 15, 2021, 02:56:28 pm
Ah shit, I just found my pitchfork at the back of the shed, what am I meant to do with these flaming torches now?

dry the rock at Stanage?
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Steve R on December 15, 2021, 04:47:01 pm
Anyway the things which made me wince in the video:
-the whole premise of charging around the plantation in a lame challenge context
-challenging other people/youtubers to do the same
...

Also master's edge - just leave it the fuck alone now.


It's an interesting pont, but at the same time I feel like as more experienced climbers we can be a bit hypocritical when it comes to heavy usage of particular venues. I guess there's plenty of sheffield based climbers on here who enjoy a good solo circuit up on stanage (for the nth time), or a quick hit to plantation.

I don't think there's danger of hypocrisy here.  People should climb whatever they want as many times as they want*.  It's a question of approach, attitude and having a degree of humility.  (and not trashing stuff and setting a bad example for the sake of making money and/or bolstering fame)

* at least up to a point, as permitted by some version of Rawls' equal liberty principle
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Fiend on December 15, 2021, 06:08:40 pm
Respect the....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1DjqX42iXU

TBH taking the video down so we can't all rubberneck and froth in irate judgementalism is just as bad....
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: petejh on December 15, 2021, 06:29:58 pm
Quote
Firstly, would like to point out I really respect Pete as a climber (and as a person from the handful of times I've met him) and this isn't meant as a personal criticism.

Pete who?

Not me, no-one would ever respect me as a climber.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: DAVETHOMAS90 on December 16, 2021, 01:38:23 am
Anyway the things which made me wince in the video:
-the whole premise of charging around the plantation in a lame challenge context
-challenging other people/youtubers to do the same
...

Also master's edge - just leave it the fuck alone now.


It's an interesting pont, but at the same time I feel like as more experienced climbers we can be a bit hypocritical when it comes to heavy usage of particular venues. I guess there's plenty of sheffield based climbers on here who enjoy a good solo circuit up on stanage (for the nth time), or a quick hit to plantation.

Totally.

Good points raised to be aware of, but I watched the video, and actually thought "good challenge" - as in it would be good to try this, though probably somewhere else.

A lot of the behaviour was at a level somewhat lower than what you'd see any weekend day through the winter - which is not to say "Don't be mindful of your impact". To that end, yes, it could have been presented far differently; a good example could have been set.

However, in terms of impact, the challenge requires being able to climb things relatively well and quickly. In contrast, think about the traffic you'd normally associate with a problem like Zippy's - or The Green Traverse.

My view on pads in general is that they contribute to excessive wear, because you can set nearly any problem up to "session" on it. I did crack a couple of ribs in 2019, landing on my side, trying something new without pads though :slap:

So, in Pete's defence, I can come on to a public forum and be critical in my own way, and yes, I noticed the pads, the wet rock, brushing etc, but what registered with me was "That looks fun" - which is to highlight just how selective we can be when pointing the finger  ;D

I notice that no one has said anything about the tick marks on Ryuichi's new problem, amazing though it is.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bradders on December 16, 2021, 07:43:59 am
On the subject of the general challenge; not having watched the video I'm assuming it was trying to climb as many V points as possible?

If so, in a sport defined by arbitrary challenges that really is one of the best days out you can have. Going to a venue you have wired and climbing loads of great problems in a day, it's great! And as Dave rightly points out, realistically far less impactful to the rock than a sieging aspirant trying to push their grade.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: User deactivated. on December 16, 2021, 08:58:14 am
far less impactful to the rock than a sieging aspirant trying to push their grade.

NSFW  :
Ben's Groove must be fucked by now  ;D
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Fiend on December 16, 2021, 09:08:29 am
 :lol: open goal but top shot anyway.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: SamT on December 16, 2021, 09:17:25 am
Not sure anyone has an issue with Pete heading out and doing a whole bunch of problems at the plantation.  Call it a circuit if you like. 

More the framing of it as a 'challenge' thrown down to others, sprayed on Social Media, with the aim of generating personal income coupled with the fact that conditions were less than perfect, yet they ploughed on with the filming, whilst engaging in some less then perfect tactics like over brushing and chalking of footholds.

I blame Magnus, but at least his stuff seems to be largely gym based.

I have much respect for Pete and Tom, and 99% of what they do is top drawer, like all the crack school stuff, bridge climbing etc, but this stepped over a line I think.   Smacks of running out of ideas and having to scrape the barrel a bit to find something 'new' or different.  Bit like James and Caro.

Hence the endless string of 'challenges' that folk are up to now.

Right - this weekend I'll be off to make a movie of me doing all pete liveseys peak routes, in a day, one handed, wearing resoled lasers, but unicycling between them all.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bonjoy on December 16, 2021, 09:21:03 am

I notice that no one has said anything about the tick marks on Ryuichi's new problem, amazing though it is.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but...
I think there is a general conflation of using tick marks and leaving tick marks.
In my view the former is fine, if frequently ugly and overdone. The latter is when it becomes litter and objectionable.
You could argue that showing videos depicting ticks without footage of their removal at the end of the session encourages the inexperienced to use then leave ticks. Personally I'm happy enough not to see the 'brush off' footage as mandatory on every video (now and again is often enough) as it would quickly get old, tokenistic, and patronising.
I think it's a stretch to expect someone doing possibly the hardest pair of low percentage accuracy moves in the world, without something which helps their execution, something which of itself is harmless to the rock, or other people's enjoyment of it.
I think as community we are big enough to educate sensible, minimal use, rather than demand the baby is thrown out with the bathwater in all and every circumstance.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bonjoy on December 16, 2021, 09:23:49 am

Right - this weekend I'll be off to make a movie of me doing all pete liveseys peak routes, in a day, one handed, wearing resoled lasers, but unicycling between them all.
This is a video I am looking forward to watching. Good luck Sam.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Pete W on December 16, 2021, 09:35:16 am
hello folks
As someone who has lived and grown up in the Peak i have always had (and will always have) full respect for the local environment/rock/ethics and put these before my own climbing. The challenge was intended to just be a bit of fun, like some of the other Grit challenges we have (Staffordshire Nose for example), but something other people could complete wherever they were in the world.
There was some on/off dampness that morning for the first half an hour of climbing that i did and after reading the comments here I can understand peoples concerns regarding damp rock, wet shoes, chalking a foothold, etc. Considering this I have since removed the video. Look forward to seeing you all out on the crags, cheers :)
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Fultonius on December 16, 2021, 10:04:06 am

I notice that no one has said anything about the tick marks on Ryuichi's new problem, amazing though it is.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but...
I think there is a general conflation of using tick marks and leaving tick marks.
In my view the former is fine, if frequently ugly and overdone. The latter is when it becomes litter and objectionable.
You could argue that showing videos depicting ticks without footage of their removal at the end of the session encourages the inexperienced to use then leave ticks. Personally I'm happy enough not to see the 'brush off' footage as mandatory on every video (now and again is often enough) as it would quickly get old, tokenistic, and patronising.
I think it's a stretch to expect someone doing possibly the hardest pair of low percentage accuracy moves in the world, without something which helps their execution, something which of itself is harmless to the rock, or other people's enjoyment of it.
I think as community we are big enough to educate sensible, minimal use, rather than demand the baby is thrown out with the bathwater in all and every circumstance.

Need a brief disclaimer at the start "all chalk marks used in this video were carefully fully removed after depicted rig sendage using the latest angel lash chalk removal brush"

Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: andy popp on December 16, 2021, 10:50:08 am

I notice that no one has said anything about the tick marks on Ryuichi's new problem, amazing though it is.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but...

Not with me, I agree with you. And there's a degree of hypocrisy around tick marks - we've probably all contributed to turning some venues into pretty hideous perma-chalked messes, some of them very visible to the general public.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Anti on December 16, 2021, 10:51:18 am
Why do we make such a stink about tick marks under the pretence that it's to "leave no trace"? To people outside of the climbing bubble, the tick marks are all but invisible amongst all the other chalk stained mess of holds.

Yeah they ruin beta / are confusing, but if you really care about leaving no trace stop using chalk. Otherwise it's all just the same mess, or is it all part of a larger "I don't need/use tick marks so my ascents are more valid" sort of humble bragging thing?

Edit: Hah, I see we posted similar things at the same time!
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: SamT on December 16, 2021, 10:58:06 am
hello folks
As someone who has lived and grown up in the Peak i have always had (and will always have) full respect for the local environment/rock/ethics and put these before my own climbing. The challenge was intended to just be a bit of fun, like some of the other Grit challenges we have (Staffordshire Nose for example), but something other people could complete wherever they were in the world.
There was some on/off dampness that morning for the first half an hour of climbing that i did and after reading the comments here I can understand peoples concerns regarding damp rock, wet shoes, chalking a foothold, etc. Considering this I have since removed the video. Look forward to seeing you all out on the crags, cheers :)

Nice one for posting up Pete.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: cheque on December 16, 2021, 11:25:30 am
Why do we make such a stink about tick marks under the pretence that it's to "leave no trace"?

Surely the distinction is that tick marks (particularly big ones) are avoidable chalk deposits? The ideal is to use as little as possible so leaving lines that mark how to climb is obviously wack. Pretty sure no-one who frowns on tick marks thinks the rocks would be chalk-free without them.

If anyone wants to put their money where their mouth is with preserving the Peak crag environment I noticed on a video the other day that there’s a big ugly graffiti tag at the bottom of Superbloc at Gardom’s that could do with being removed. “You’ll never believe what these climbers did to make their local crags nicer :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: ” is the sort of clickbait YouTube content I’d be willing to Like, Subscribe and possibly even Ring That Bell for.  ;)
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: 36chambers on December 16, 2021, 11:38:02 am
following on, can someone start a "who can pick up the most litter during a day at the crag" youtube challenge. Thanks.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bradders on December 16, 2021, 11:39:46 am
far less impactful to the rock than a sieging aspirant trying to push their grade.

NSFW  :
Ben's Groove must be fucked by now  ;D

Knew someone would bite :lol:

The thing is though I climbed 2 grades harder 4 years ago!

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: 36chambers on December 16, 2021, 11:42:13 am
far less impactful to the rock than a sieging aspirant trying to push their grade.

NSFW  :
Ben's Groove must be fucked by now  ;D

Knew someone would bite :lol:

The thing is though I climbed 2 grades harder 4 years ago!

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

a drop off or a topper?
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: User deactivated. on December 16, 2021, 11:46:39 am
far less impactful to the rock than a sieging aspirant trying to push their grade.

NSFW  :
Ben's Groove must be fucked by now  ;D

Knew someone would bite :lol:

The thing is though I climbed 2 grades harder 4 years ago!

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

I'm just punching up as all good comedy should. If I had your climbing CV I'd be happily retired by now  :beer2:
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Anti on December 16, 2021, 12:05:41 pm
Why do we make such a stink about tick marks under the pretence that it's to "leave no trace"?

Surely the distinction is that tick marks (particularly big ones) are avoidable chalk deposits? The ideal is to use as little as possible so leaving lines that mark how to climb is obviously wack. Pretty sure no-one who frowns on tick marks thinks the rocks would be chalk-free without them.

I guess it all starts to feel a bit silly, arguing over how much chalk amounts to acceptable use in our niche hobby. What I think I'm trying to say is that to people who aren't climbers we're already ruining the aesthetics of the countryside with /any/ chalk use, it's just within our bubble we've drawn a line over which we can throw shade on other people. All hobbies have something like that, when I used to race bicycles it was hairy legs / mismatched clothing. I'm sure lots of hobbies have their faux pas to agonise. Otherwise we'd just have to settle on whether people are better than us but it can be hard on the fragile ego.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 16, 2021, 12:22:34 pm
As a shit climber I like it when people leave little ticks for the footholds cos it saves me getting out my electron microscope to find the least most awful ripple on a piece of gritstone to blindly trust.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: DAVETHOMAS90 on December 16, 2021, 05:22:32 pm
hello folks
As someone who has lived and grown up in the Peak i have always had (and will always have) full respect for the local environment/rock/ethics and put these before my own climbing. The challenge was intended to just be a bit of fun, like some of the other Grit challenges we have (Staffordshire Nose for example), but something other people could complete wherever they were in the world.
There was some on/off dampness that morning for the first half an hour of climbing that i did and after reading the comments here I can understand peoples concerns regarding damp rock, wet shoes, chalking a foothold, etc. Considering this I have since removed the video. Look forward to seeing you all out on the crags, cheers :)

Nice one for posting up Pete.  :thumbsup:

Yes, I'll second that.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: DAVETHOMAS90 on December 16, 2021, 05:30:19 pm

I notice that no one has said anything about the tick marks on Ryuichi's new problem, amazing though it is.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but...

etc

I think as community we are big enough to educate sensible, minimal use, rather than demand the baby is thrown out with the bathwater in all and every circumstance.

But my point BJ is that we don't. We use other people's indiscretions as something to have a go at, and we're very selective with it - which is the allusion I was making wrt the comments about Pete's vid.  ;)

Anyway, Broomgrove is often in a right state. Must be a real eyesore for anyone parked up for a bit of mid-afternoon drug dealing..  ;D
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Steve R on December 20, 2021, 11:18:30 pm
Fuck, it seems I'm now a victim of youtube's recommendation algorithms optimising for outrage as far as climbing videos are concerned.  It knows. Every visit guaranteed to make life more miserable, can't not click to watch, probably no escape....
Am I losing it or was there a time in relatively recent history when you'd get crucified (and you'd know and expect to get crucified and not just by Fiend) for uploading a video like this:

https://youtu.be/CqLM3TP2xP4?t=405

Pious whinging over, what's the solution(s)?  Above channel I think will be monetised (only just) and Epic TV and 3rd Rock mentioned in the vid description...  Time to somehow establish (incredibly boring, likely patronising) norms and protocol where any financially incentivised self or brand promotional videos featuring outdoor climbing have to first encourage sound ethics and good behaviour?  A climbing youtube equivalent to footballers taking the knee?   Maybe that could help shift the cultural climate to a point where a queue of punters scrabbling and kicking the fuck out of End of the Affair isn't generally regarded as ok.  Let alone filming and uploading it.  Any other ideas?  Being a miserable git complaining on climbing fora? Seemed to work last time but potentially akin to trying to bail out the titantic with a thimble if the cultural trajectory and inertia isn't impacted/addressed.
Or maybe it's a lost cause and time to just let it go?  'Allow' people to do what they want and accept that the odd classic is going to get trashed by the unimaginative and move on...
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Paul B on December 21, 2021, 12:26:02 pm
3rd Rock mentioned in the vid description... 

3rd rock have form in this dept.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bradders on December 21, 2021, 03:12:04 pm
Fuck, it seems I'm now a victim of youtube's recommendation algorithms optimising for outrage as far as climbing videos are concerned.  It knows. Every visit guaranteed to make life more miserable, can't not click to watch, probably no escape....
Am I losing it or was there a time in relatively recent history when you'd get crucified (and you'd know and expect to get crucified and not just by Fiend) for uploading a video like this:

https://youtu.be/CqLM3TP2xP4?t=405

Pious whinging over, what's the solution(s)?  Above channel I think will be monetised (only just) and Epic TV and 3rd Rock mentioned in the vid description...  Time to somehow establish (incredibly boring, likely patronising) norms and protocol where any financially incentivised self or brand promotional videos featuring outdoor climbing have to first encourage sound ethics and good behaviour?  A climbing youtube equivalent to footballers taking the knee?   Maybe that could help shift the cultural climate to a point where a queue of punters scrabbling and kicking the fuck out of End of the Affair isn't generally regarded as ok.  Let alone filming and uploading it.  Any other ideas?  Being a miserable git complaining on climbing fora? Seemed to work last time but potentially akin to trying to bail out the titantic with a thimble if the cultural trajectory and inertia isn't impacted/addressed.
Or maybe it's a lost cause and time to just let it go?  'Allow' people to do what they want and accept that the odd classic is going to get trashed by the unimaginative and move on...

Really struggling to understand what the problem is with anything in that video.

Okay they are clearly not going to be leading End of the Affair any time soon but why should that stop them top roping it?

Otherwise they've just gone climbing on a couple of beautiful days, and produced a very boring video about it.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Adam Lincoln on December 21, 2021, 03:18:08 pm
Fuck, it seems I'm now a victim of youtube's recommendation algorithms optimising for outrage as far as climbing videos are concerned.  It knows. Every visit guaranteed to make life more miserable, can't not click to watch, probably no escape....
Am I losing it or was there a time in relatively recent history when you'd get crucified (and you'd know and expect to get crucified and not just by Fiend) for uploading a video like this:

https://youtu.be/CqLM3TP2xP4?t=405

Pious whinging over, what's the solution(s)?  Above channel I think will be monetised (only just) and Epic TV and 3rd Rock mentioned in the vid description...  Time to somehow establish (incredibly boring, likely patronising) norms and protocol where any financially incentivised self or brand promotional videos featuring outdoor climbing have to first encourage sound ethics and good behaviour?  A climbing youtube equivalent to footballers taking the knee?   Maybe that could help shift the cultural climate to a point where a queue of punters scrabbling and kicking the fuck out of End of the Affair isn't generally regarded as ok.  Let alone filming and uploading it.  Any other ideas?  Being a miserable git complaining on climbing fora? Seemed to work last time but potentially akin to trying to bail out the titantic with a thimble if the cultural trajectory and inertia isn't impacted/addressed.
Or maybe it's a lost cause and time to just let it go?  'Allow' people to do what they want and accept that the odd classic is going to get trashed by the unimaginative and move on...

Really struggling to understand what the problem is with anything in that video.

Okay they are clearly not going to be leading End of the Affair any time soon but why should that stop them top roping it?

Otherwise they've just gone climbing on a couple of beautiful days, and produced a very boring video about it.

I agree with Bradders here. Sadly yes it may lead to faster erosion and maybe more educating on that front and  could change attitude to trying stuff if its way above your lead level. But, we don't own the rock and these guys were having fun and can do that all day everyday on all the classics at Curbar should they wish.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Steve R on December 21, 2021, 04:41:46 pm
Fair enough, maybe my view is towards an extreme end of the 'what's an acceptable approach' spectrum.  Rather than trying to claim ownership of anything or be overly authoritarian I think it comes down to cultural norms on what constitutes a good approach and attitude.  It's these cultural norms which I sense have shifted / are shifting for the worse.  Maybe this happened a while ago, I didn't notice and am only just catching up.  In my world (and the climbing world I've known for ~20yrs) for a route like End of the Affair on a softer rock type like grit, if you want to climb on it you should be either aspiring to flash it or, if you're not quite at that level, you consider doing a few careful and precise top ropes with a view to headpointing it.  If you're not at that level you shouldn't really be on it.  Whilst ultimately, I'm all for people doing what they want, again, it should be subject to a kind of rawlsian equal liberty principle.  For me, the approach and attitude in the video is well outside both the cultural norms and this imagined equal liberty principle.   Add to that the fact that people are making money out of it and I apparently get sufficiently annoyed to start publicly complaining about it. 
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 21, 2021, 04:51:14 pm
Just out of genuine curiosity, how do you view things like the Wide Boyz doing their videos messing around on master's edge? Because I suppose the makers of that vid could point to those videos saying "well this is what the locals get up to, is what we're doing any worse?"

(I personally don't have an issue with either for the record, I'm just asking)
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Paul B on December 21, 2021, 04:57:33 pm
I agree with Bradders here. Sadly yes it may lead to faster erosion and maybe more educating on that front and  could change attitude to trying stuff if its way above your lead level. But, we don't own the rock and these guys were having fun and can do that all day everyday on all the classics at Curbar should they wish.

Do you think people watching will be nuanced enough not to do the same on something that might for instance rely on a crucial pebble? I'm personally not so sure which makes videos like this feel a touch uncomfortable.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Steve R on December 21, 2021, 05:06:40 pm
Just out of genuine curiosity, how do you view things like the Wide Boyz doing their videos messing around on master's edge? Because I suppose the makers of that vid could point to those videos saying "well this is what the locals get up to, is what we're doing any worse?"

(I personally don't have an issue with either for the record, I'm just asking)

Apposite example.  As per the last bit of text of my first post of this thread, I think they should leave it well alone.  Primarily for exactly the reason you highlight.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: webbo on December 21, 2021, 05:11:27 pm
I wonder how many of those who think it’s alright, would feel the same. If said bunch of numbties had a rope down the route they were hoping to red point at Malham  or Kilnsey and were busy trashing it.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 21, 2021, 05:15:54 pm
Just out of genuine curiosity, how do you view things like the Wide Boyz doing their videos messing around on master's edge? Because I suppose the makers of that vid could point to those videos saying "well this is what the locals get up to, is what we're doing any worse?"

(I personally don't have an issue with either for the record, I'm just asking)

Apposite example.  As per the last bit of text of my first post of this thread, I think they should leave it well alone.  Primarily for exactly the reason you highlight.

Fair enough. I can definitely appreciate your reason
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Bradders on December 21, 2021, 06:22:57 pm
I wonder how many of those who think it’s alright, would feel the same. If said bunch of numbties had a rope down the route they were hoping to red point at Malham  or Kilnsey and were busy trashing it.

In short, it's none of my business and I'll just wait my turn.

I think it's a touch strong to say this is trashing the climb. It seems perfectly dry and I can't see any damaging practices going on other than being not at the level apparently required for them to just have a go.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: webbo on December 21, 2021, 07:49:10 pm
It’s what they are doing with their feet. They don’t seem able to weight them properly so they pop which will wear the surface off. Ok if it’s just them but if  others feel it’s ok having seen the video.
It could get trashed.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Adam Lincoln on December 21, 2021, 09:02:57 pm
It’s what they are doing with their feet. They don’t seem able to weight them properly so they pop which will wear the surface off. Ok if it’s just them but if  others feel it’s ok having seen the video.
It could get trashed.



Its a bit of rock that no one owns and no one outside of a few climbers even care about. Can you imagine telling some one this in a pub on a friday night that doesnt climb?
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 21, 2021, 09:29:38 pm
It’s what they are doing with their feet. They don’t seem able to weight them properly so they pop which will wear the surface off. Ok if it’s just them but if  others feel it’s ok having seen the video.
It could get trashed.

This feels a little like "you can only climb on it if you're good" which seems somewhat arbitrary.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: joel182 on December 21, 2021, 10:08:44 pm
It’s what they are doing with their feet. They don’t seem able to weight them properly so they pop which will wear the surface off. Ok if it’s just them but if  others feel it’s ok having seen the video.
It could get trashed.

This feels a little like "you can only climb on it if you're good" which seems somewhat arbitrary.

I guess it's worth asking a question like "how would I feel if I broke a hold on the route?".

For me, I would only want to top rope a route like End of the Affair if I were seriously considering a headpoint ascent. Classic routes like EotA are a limited resource (a fundamentally special thing to many people due to the history & nature of the route) and they will suffer if they see too much attention.

Moreoever, I think if you are seeking to both publicize/monetize these things then you have some obligation to consider the impact of your content.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 21, 2021, 10:20:22 pm
It’s what they are doing with their feet. They don’t seem able to weight them properly so they pop which will wear the surface off. Ok if it’s just them but if  others feel it’s ok having seen the video.
It could get trashed.

This feels a little like "you can only climb on it if you're good" which seems somewhat arbitrary.

I guess it's worth asking a question like "how would I feel if I broke a hold on the route?".

For me, I would only want to top rope a route like End of the Affair if I were seriously considering a headpoint ascent. Classic routes like EotA are a limited resource (a fundamentally special thing to many people due to the history & nature of the route) and they will suffer if they see too much attention.

Moreoever, I think if you are seeking to both publicize/monetize these things then you have some obligation to consider the impact of your content.

It's a fair point. I suppose I would say that I'd agree to an extent except to also say that working it on top rope with an intent to do the route free... also on top rope but not on lead is also reasonable
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wood FT on December 22, 2021, 11:11:34 am
It’s what they are doing with their feet. They don’t seem able to weight them properly so they pop which will wear the surface off. Ok if it’s just them but if  others feel it’s ok having seen the video.
It could get trashed.

This feels a little like "you can only climb on it if you're good" which seems somewhat arbitrary.

I guess it's worth asking a question like "how would I feel if I broke a hold on the route?".

For me, I would only want to top rope a route like End of the Affair if I were seriously considering a headpoint ascent. Classic routes like EotA are a limited resource (a fundamentally special thing to many people due to the history & nature of the route) and they will suffer if they see too much attention.

Moreoever, I think if you are seeking to both publicize/monetize these things then you have some obligation to consider the impact of your content.

Well said
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Ged on December 22, 2021, 11:22:11 am
I don't think it's unreasonable to expect folk to follow unwritten norms.

If a beginner surfer turned up at a prime surf spot in amazing conditions and kept on dropping in on other people's waves despite clearly being out of their depth, it would be reasonable for an experienced surfer to explain the rules to them to make sure everyone got to enjoy the wave.

Yes it's just a wave, and people can Do what they want. But that doesn't mean there can't be social norms around it.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: SA Chris on December 22, 2021, 11:55:23 am
Topropers = SUP riders :)
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: andy moles on December 22, 2021, 12:08:19 pm
Interesting debate.

I think I more or less agree with Steve R's appliance of an equal liberty principle.

It might sound elitist to say that people should only be permitted an experience of a thing if they are good enough, but given the potential long-term effects of a free-for-all on a fragile and finite resource, and the impact it could therefore have on opportunities for others, it's actually fair. Not so much saying 'you can't do this', but promoting a sense of collective responsibility for something that is highly valued in the community.

I agree with Wellsy though that there should not be any associated obligation to lead. If you have the ability to climb it reasonably well on a top-rope with no intention of leading, that's also totally fine.

To be honest, I can't see much attraction in flailing repeatedly on something that's miles out of your league anyway, but each to their own. Maybe we should blame the pro headpointers who encourage people to project things they think are too hard for them without caveats about soft rock, or maybe just the broader malaise of incentives to promote content that's titled things like 'VS to E8 in a weekend!"
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: SA Chris on December 22, 2021, 04:46:41 pm
You could up it and go from "diff to E10" by dropping a rope on one at the end and having a hapless paw at the holds, just to generate the clickbait.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: abarro81 on December 22, 2021, 05:00:06 pm
or maybe just the broader malaise of incentives to promote content that's titled things like 'VS to E8 in a weekend!"

Am I wearing rose-tinted glasses for thinking that once upon a time climbers looked down on all that pathetic shit with distain, but now it's everywhere and climbing is just as moronic and pathetic as everything else?
The first round on my 20 most pressing questions seems to hold ever more true ("Are the new generation of climbers more stupid or just more annoying than the previous generations?"). Bet the old buggers all think that about me too though.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 22, 2021, 05:11:51 pm
Tbh I'd say that climbing has become much more popular but actually that's not really the issue (99% of that popularity explosion is indoors anyway), the issue is that there are now more incentives to put up videos like that than before.

I would say that the "old guard" loved to chip routes/fuck about on rock/etc but they didn't make YouTube videos about it and there was also less of an incentive to maybe diverge from the accepted ethics in order to drive engagement.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: webbo on December 22, 2021, 07:00:43 pm
Tbh I'd say that climbing has become much more popular but actually that's not really the issue (99% of that popularity explosion is indoors anyway), the issue is that there are now more incentives to put up videos like that than before.

I would say that the "old guard" loved to chip routes/fuck about on rock/etc but they didn't make YouTube videos about it and there was also less of an incentive to maybe diverge from the accepted ethics in order to drive engagement.
As one of the old guard I have never chipped a hold and I pretty sure none of my mates did either. To be honest you need to fuck right off with comments like that.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: SamT on December 22, 2021, 07:26:13 pm
The issue is that there are now more incentives to put up videos like that than before.

Yep - think that's pretty spot on. I could go out and top rope something way above my ability. Pretty sure I probably did when I was just starting out. But other than the 3 sheep and three other climbers in the vacinity, nobody knew and nobody cared.
However, its the desire to film every last flipping second of your leisure time, and put it out there on youtube, with the added bonus of it being a potential income stream now thats the game changer.

I would say that the "old guard" loved to chip routes/fuck about on rock/etc

WTF - I'd say that comment is, as Webbo says, wildly wide of the mark.  :slap:
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: SamT on December 22, 2021, 07:31:13 pm

I agree with Wellsy though that there should not be any associated obligation to lead. If you have the ability to climb it reasonably well on a top-rope with no intention of leading, that's also totally fine.

This is an interesting point.  I've turned a corner in my life where there a whole bunch of routes E5 and upwards really that I've always thought I might leave and not top rope.  Not to spoil the onsight sort of thing.  Now, staring 50 in the face, I've come to accept that I'll never ever even contemplate setting off on the onsight, so fuck it, why not set up a top rope and enjoy the moves. 

Whats worse - 6 'headpoint' attempts falling on the gear, wearing that all too crucial rock 1 placement out.  Or a clean TRope ascent.   :devangel:
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: spidermonkey09 on December 22, 2021, 08:03:25 pm
What, are the "old guard" some sort of bastion of ethical purity then? We all know routes were chipped / created. Redhead, Livesey, various French climbers. No need to take it so personally webbo. I would be willing to bet a lot more chipping went on in the 80s than does now.  :worms:
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: DAVETHOMAS90 on December 22, 2021, 08:17:51 pm
Sam, you old fella, I was going to try to introduce some humour about "..staring 50 in the face" but was reminded of the rest of Nietzsche's quote:

“Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

So much of what we go on about here, is what's significant, what isn't; who's a wad, who isn't, what's worthy of our praise and what deserves our derision.

Raising awareness of the problems, our own impact on the rock, the environment, doing what we can to protect what correctly stated, is a valuable and finite resource, is something we can all do - maybe as long as we aren't too selective in considering the part we all play in the impact of what we do.

Yes, it is really sad to see classic hard routes getting trashed, but we have a part to play in whether they are seen as something to aspire to, and how that is achieved.

It would be nice to see the lass in the video perhaps getting back on End of the Affair, and giving it a half serious go. I'm not convinced that a seed hasn't been sown  ;)
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: DAVETHOMAS90 on December 22, 2021, 08:22:15 pm
What, are the "old guard" some sort of bastion of ethical purity then? We all know routes were chipped / created. Redhead, Livesey, various French climbers. No need to take it so personally webbo. I would be willing to bet a lot more chipping went on in the 80s than does now.  :worms:

I'm with Webbo though here.

There's a bit of Straw Man going on, isn't there? I think the arguments can be presented in better ways than some spurious reference to misdeeds of the past. Nowadays everything just gets retro'd anyway  ;)
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: spidermonkey09 on December 22, 2021, 09:04:14 pm
I agree Dave, I think it's a really interesting thread and discussion. Just felt like there was a bit of "how *dare* you" energy to the response which wasnt called for.

I played on Masters Edge years ago thinking I'd never do it and don't regret it. Maybe that was wrong but it didn't feel wrong.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: webbo on December 22, 2021, 10:07:51 pm
What, are the "old guard" some sort of bastion of ethical purity then? We all know routes were chipped / created. Redhead, Livesey, various French climbers. No need to take it so personally webbo. I would be willing to bet a lot more chipping went on in the 80s than does now.  :worms:
Two names and some French climbers. How does that equate to the old guard chipping every thing. Come what did we chip.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 22, 2021, 10:17:51 pm
Tbh I'd say that climbing has become much more popular but actually that's not really the issue (99% of that popularity explosion is indoors anyway), the issue is that there are now more incentives to put up videos like that than before.

I would say that the "old guard" loved to chip routes/fuck about on rock/etc but they didn't make YouTube videos about it and there was also less of an incentive to maybe diverge from the accepted ethics in order to drive engagement.
As one of the old guard I have never chipped a hold and I pretty sure none of my mates did either. To be honest you need to fuck right off with comments like that.

Hey no offence meant or personal accusations made, just that a few big names have been associated with chipping and modifying in the past, or running laps on things (like if you want to respect the rock to prevent damage does lapping it as a circuit regularly count? Or is that okay because you're not on top rope you're just soloing it for the 20th time), or whatever.

Tbh I mostly meant before these things were ethically established more than anything. A lot of euro crags especially had loads of chipping going on but nobody had really established it shouldn't be done, and these days it isn't.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: duncan on December 22, 2021, 10:48:00 pm
What, are the "old guard" some sort of bastion of ethical purity then? We all know routes were chipped / created. Redhead, Livesey, various French climbers. No need to take it so personally webbo. I would be willing to bet a lot more chipping went on in the 80s than does now.  :worms:
Two names and some French climbers. How does that equate to the old guard chipping every thing. Come what did we chip.

Off the top of my head, before out time:

Widdop; Caley; Ilkley eg Cow Udder, Cold Chisel, Chiseller and others.

The most infamous of our era (70s/80s) include...

Livesey: many eg Claws, Downhill Racer, Wellington Crack, Das Kapital aided and abetted by...
Pete Gomersall's Yorkshire lime FAs. He basically confessed as much in an old On The Edge interview.
Whoever chipped One Step Beyond (FA Fawcett)
Mr X (not Livesey or Fawcett but nearly as famous): Milky Way

Ed Drummond: Linden

Redhead: Manic Strain and others on slate

Paul Williams: Ride the Wild Surf.

Whoever chipped Cafe Libre (FA Andy Pollitt)





Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: webbo on December 23, 2021, 08:01:55 am
So some of leading lights of the old guard chipped routes in order to do the first ascent of a route.
How does that equate to my criticism of people damaging routes by top roping well above their pay grade.
Unless we were chipping established routes in order to do them. :-\
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: abarro81 on December 23, 2021, 09:26:22 am
Sika is the new chipping anyway, who needs a drill when you've got a glue gun  ;)
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wellsy on December 23, 2021, 09:39:58 am
I think it's more just that "respect the rock," which I do actually think of as being very important, is not something that was once upheld by one and all only to sink into the barbarity of modern Instagram climbing. There are plenty of things that people did in the past that were dodgy and plenty of things that respected climbers with years of experience who are unquestionably leading figures in the discipline do right now which are questionable (and there are plenty of people who only just got into it who are very strict with these things; I know someone with 1 year outdoor experience who was really unhappy with that video)

If it helps I am leaning somewhat towards if a route or problem is more fragile then one should take much more consideration before they whack a top rope on it for a bit of fun on something that's well above their max grade. In the same way that I don't like people trying Deliverance a hundred times over.

I am curious though as to whether the ethics extent to those who can do the problem. Like if I could do Deliverance and I went and lapped it 10 times a week, I also think that'd be poor form and disrespectful towards a problem that is eroding. Or rather disrespectful towards other climbers who might want to do it without me taking all the surface off. Thoughts?
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Steve R on December 23, 2021, 09:46:23 am

I agree with Wellsy though that there should not be any associated obligation to lead. If you have the ability to climb it reasonably well on a top-rope with no intention of leading, that's also totally fine.


Fair enough, I can see this is probably a more coherent view than what I was saying.  However I'd be more comfortable with the cultural sentiment on it being more 'Ok, if you're careful and you really want to' tather than 'totally fine'.  Guess it quickly becomes nuanced.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wood FT on December 23, 2021, 01:55:45 pm
LIVE AND LET LIVE

SHARE IF YOU ARGREE
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: andy moles on December 24, 2021, 03:22:55 pm
However I'd be more comfortable with the cultural sentiment on it being more 'Ok, if you're careful and you really want to' tather than 'totally fine'.

Absolutely  :thumbsup:

I abseiled down End of the Affair once a few years ago, not doing more than holding a couple of positions, just to satisfy my curiosity of what an E8 grit arete is like up close. Probably gained as much from that as I would from a top-rope session in terms of getting a taste of the thing.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Steve R on December 24, 2021, 06:22:59 pm
LIVE AND LET LIVE
Well yeah, that's the very thing you're trying to optimise for when you talk about a rawlsian equal liberty princi-zzzzzzzzz Christ just kill me now
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Wood FT on December 24, 2021, 07:21:52 pm
LIVE AND LET LIVE
Well yeah, that's the very thing you're trying to optimise for when you talk about a rawlsian equal liberty princi-zzzzzzzzz Christ just kill me now

So many big words. What would Orwell say.

Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: webbo on December 24, 2021, 07:53:42 pm
LIVE AND LET LIVE
Well yeah, that's the very thing you're trying to optimise for when you talk about a rawlsian equal liberty princi-zzzzzzzzz Christ just kill me now

So many big words. What would Orwell say.
“ You’ll be first against the wall come the revolution “
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: danm on December 24, 2021, 09:07:04 pm
I'm pretty sure it was "Knee pads good, crack gloves bad" but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: 'Respect the Rock'?
Post by: Fiend on December 28, 2021, 10:26:54 am
Am I losing it or was there a time in relatively recent history when you'd get crucified (and you'd know and expect to get crucified and not just by Fiend)
:-\

I haven't watched the video as my digestion takes a wee bit of stress over the Xmas feasting anyway and I don't really want to be barfing myself inside out, but I get the gist including from what I've skimmed over in this thread, and good on people for highlighting and arguing against what sounds like very shoddy behaviour and even more shoddy clickbait promoting of such behaviour...

Climbers definitely could be using all the tools and skills to aim for better and better climbing style, and promoting better and better climbing style. It's as important than pure numerical difficulty if not more so.
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