I think what cofe is driving at, is that to combine a difficulty rating such as the Australian, or even UIAA, system with a letter denoting the danger, would give more information about the extended boulder problem in question. So for example, if you rocked up at Rubicon and were eyeing up Bigger Splash Direct as your project for the afternoon, a grade of, let's say, 23 R would give a much better idea of the hazards involved in an ascent than just 7a+.
Quote from: Somebody's Fool on November 25, 2008, 02:39:57 pmI think what cofe is driving at, is that to combine a difficulty rating such as the Australian, or even UIAA, system with a letter denoting the danger, would give more information about the extended boulder problem in question. So for example, if you rocked up at Rubicon and were eyeing up Bigger Splash Direct as your project for the afternoon, a grade of, let's say, 23 R would give a much better idea of the hazards involved in an ascent than just 7a+.eureka!
This bouldering lark is witchcraft anyway, give me a nice 20m pumpfest any day!!
Coming back to the point of the thread,
if the Groove really is Font 7c+ as reported by Kevin, according to the scheme above, this would equate to around F8b (Pump up the Power excepted). (Obviously if it turns out to be Font 8a then F8b+ or even F8c may be merited). F8b equates to well protected E8. Should the first part of the Groove be graded E8 finishing up the much much easier Fern Hill finish? I don't know as I ain't climbed it. However, applying my powers of reasoning and going on Kevin's reports on the danger involved, I might perhaps add an E point due to the dodgy fall involved and to acknowledge that leading the route may well be 'serious' due to the fact that your belayer might have to run backwards a bit if you came off the crux. Would E9 be unreasonable as a wild stab in the dark?
Though now you seem to have deviated somewhat yourself, but i'll join in....since when did ground-sweeping falls become classified as safe?!
miles harder than on caviar for example.