maybe attitudes have changed
ive not been to font for about 7 years so maybe attitudes have changed but all the french and most english were using it last time i was there
You can probably pay lagers £275 to bum you in case you're not sure about it.
I know a fair few locals who seem to still use it. The age rage of them is quite varied.
I've only used pof once or twice, but...I think its pretty arrogant telling the old bleusards that they are wrong on this. The worst 'fucking up' I've seen pof do is some black circles at the base of Carnage. Not ideal, but not in the same league as hold erosion like on Vienna for example. On the other hand, there is a chance that it pre-emptively strengthens the patina of the rock and actually prevents erosion - in a similar way that 'Substance X' has proved partially effective in slowing crumbling holds on gritstone and sandstone in the UK. I would be rather more cautious on coarser rocks like grit, but the way Bowden has been fucked in the last ten years is hardly proof that we know more about sandstone than bleusards. I doubt there has been any proper research done, so this will always be up for argument, but it is worth considering - would pof use have prolonged the life of those holds? I'm pretty sure it would. Might the Bridestones have benefited too, who knows?On the argument that chalk is easily rinsed away, well usually yes, but on holds that never get drainage the build-up can be pretty grim and not easily removed. And its a considerably worse eyesore...
I'm sure there are lots of ways to strengthen the patina of sedimentary rock, but most, like pof, will negatively effect the climbing surface.
the damage to problems caused by pof amounts to some black circles on Carnage is laughable
Your cautiousness over grit just smacks of Nimbyism
Most of the damaged problems in the UK have only been popular for twenty years. If the rock can't handle even such a short period of use, well I think we need to be looking at this kind of treatment more widely and more pro-actively.
I still maintain I haven't seen any holds in font that have been 'ruined' by pof in any way as badly as those that are damaged by erosion.
Quotethe damage to problems caused by pof amounts to some black circles on Carnage is laughableSome examples then?
QuoteYour cautiousness over grit just smacks of NimbyismNo, I'm being cautious because its different - hold erosion problems on grit are fairly limited to the odd problem venue or hold. At the most popular venues like Stanage there is only polish to contend with - still a problem but not one I think requires an aggressive solution.
As for you, of all people, accusing us of arrogance for questioning aspects of other peoples climbing! Well that's a peach!
I've only used pof once or twice, but...I think its pretty arrogant telling the old bleusards that they are wrong on this.