UKC

What makes a good crag moderator?

I reckon a local climber who knows that crag well. Ideally they're also that slightly anoraky sort of climber who, when they're not out climbing, likes to pour over guidebooks, update logbooks, etc. For them the job wouldn't be a chore. You wouldn't see them moderating dozens of crags around the country, but they'd derive pleasure and satisfaction from moderating one or two of their local crags really well, keeping them up-to-date.

If you're currently moderator for one or more crags, and you never seem to find the time to work on the database - it hasn't been in order for some time, if ever; perhaps you like the sound of being a moderator but being honest you find the actual process a bore - how about posting on UKC for a replacement?

In reply to bpmclimb: i dont see how 1 person can effectivley moderate more than 5 crags.

In reply to LewisDale:

Surely it depends on the size of the crags?

Stanage = Big
Langdale boudlers = small

In reply to es: Maybe 5 could be the maximum, for small crags. If you're moderating Stanage then that's all you get.

In reply to es:
Aye, and on how many updates they need (new routes or people creating a new route entry when they've just misspelled an existing one).
I've volunteered for a few just to correct some glaring errors.
http://www.ukclimbing.com/databases/crags/craginfo.html?id=2361 , http://www.ukclimbing.com/databases/crags/craginfo.html?id=562 , and http://www.ukclimbing.com/databases/crags/craginfo.html?id=682 involve almost no effort.
http://www.ukclimbing.com/databases/crags/craginfo.html?id=14 was a bit more work, but doesn't need a lot of updating.

In reply to bpmclimb:

May I bring your attention to http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/wanted.html

The vast majority of crags still aren't moderated - there's plenty there for you to pick.

Yes moderating Stanage is a big job - no need to thank me for the many hours I have spent on it - and just when you think you have it sorted somebody adds a load of boulder problems that are already there under another name.

I am constantly sending in new feature requests to try and make the job a bit easier, but trust me - the main problem is the poor quality of data submitted

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Also there are 76 further crags listed as moderated by Chris Craggs that require new moderators (see other crag moderators thread)

In reply to LewisDale:

Well I moderate 48 - most of Cornwall and a fair bit of Devon, but, to be fair, not a lot of people are putting in more routes so it's not a great chore.

In reply to bpmclimb:

Being thorough.
Having the latest guidebook (and access to a few old guidebooks).
Having time to sort out crags.
Getting good information.
eg
http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=89494 Not very good
http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=84877 pretty good
http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/c.php?i=84963 Excellent

Also please note boulder problems are a pain to moderate

In reply to popebenedictus:
It's not the job of a crag moderator to add descriptions for all the routes. If it were then I'd immediately resign all my crags!

In reply to bpmclimb:
I'm the moderator for three 'crags' simply because they hadn't been added to the database and I had climbed on them. None of them have a lot of routes. Carnedd Cribau is essentially a collection of tiny outcrops on the boggy moor above Pen-y-Gwryd, and has about six or seven really easy, short routes in total. I climbed every possible line in a couple of hours so I doubt anyone will be adding any more, even if people actually go up there!

In reply to Toreador:

Absolutely true. I was trying to illustrate the point that if the person adding a route adds a good description including where it is in relation to other climbs then it makes moderating the route a lot easier (especially if its a new route or from an ancient guidebook etc)

In reply to popebenedictus:
Quite a few of the updates I've received are unverifiable - no description, not in any of the guide books I have. I'm reluctant to delete them, but it would be nice to have some way of marking them as such. Currently I just move them to the top of the page

In reply to Chris the Tall:
I just email the submitter for these, and if I get no reply after a couple of reminders, would have no problem deleting them. This has never happened yet though.

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Right. You have inspired a nerdy anorak geek to moderate some crags. Unfortunately nothing exist near me that needs moderating, so I have plumped for Guernsey. Been there plenty of times and have the guide.

So there I am, keen to get started, and lo and behold, who has entered all the routes that need moderating? Only the OP!

Freaky!

Let me know if you have anything else to add to your descriptions.

In reply to Chris the Tall:

I'd be happy to moderate one or more crags, but the crags I'd be really interested in moderating are taken, and not being done too badly. I'm not interested in doing crags that aren't local for me.

I'm sure there's lots of moderators doing a fine job, but there's clearly a few who can't really be bothered - the invitation to post for a replacement was addressed to them.

Keep up the good work with Stanage

In reply to James Moyle:

Funny you should take on Guernsey - I climbed there last year and the year before and nearly took it on, but just didn't feel I had enough local knowledge. In the end I just entered the crags and the climbs that I'd done.

BTW that Gull Zawn is fantastic - did you get down there?

In reply to bpmclimb:

OK, just to show willing - I've had a look at the "moderators wanted" list, and taken on Aire Point. Only a tiny crag I know, but it's the only relevant one to me that's not already moderated.

In reply to bpmclimb:
Someone who finds local crags, bolts them up for you to play on and then puts the info on UKClimbing. Can you ask for more?
Found a scary looking piece of rock last year. Wednesday when reading the bolt fund post I decided to look up my local moderator with the intention of making a donation as I have been using his facilities at Crag X (Gilwern Hill) for the last year. His profile led me to his pictures and there is the same piece of rock. But with bolts in. Went today with my son and had a play on the easy stuff before rain stopped play. Excellent, Tirpentwys, a crag within walking distance of our houses.

So I nominate Paul Bowen and if he wants money or labour, let me know.

Ted

In reply to LewisDale:

I'm currently moderator for 81 crags. Most of these are local to me, and as I helped put the current guidebook together, I'm probably as familiar with them as anyone.

The others are just places I've climbed where no one else had already volunteered and I wanted to sort out the entries in the database into some semblance of sense.

In reply to bpmclimb:

And what are you supposed to do when people add new or regraded boulder problems (usually with no location details, just a V grade)? Even if you know where they are, are you going to go out and check the grade every time? And if they're harder than you can climb it's not an option anyway. I moderate Earl Crag, and there are some pretty hardcore boulderers operating there. I just have to trust them, basically. It's a rarity to find a new entry that I can get up.