In reply to victim of mathematics:
> (In reply to Jon Stewart)
>
> Bond Street always gets mentioned as a soft HVS when this sort of topic comes up, which would suggest that either more people understand how to climb cracks, or, that you can't.
I think it suggests that people remember stuff as "easy" when they got to the top and didn't have to move more than 10cm before placing more gear.
As for whether or not I can climb cracks, well no not very well (but I have onsighted loads up to E2, and even enjoyed some), but the point is that it's normal for people who aren't very experienced to find pulling on holds much easier than jamming cracks. My experience is that when I was climbing VS, the ones with holds were piss and stuff like The File, Hawk's Nest Crack etc were nails. Now they all feel like VS, but that's after a few years of climbing cracks.
Many moons ago, before indoor climbing and the expansion of bouldering, Bond Street would have felt easy for people breaking into the HVS as they'd have done loads of well protected VS, and not much on small holds or overhangs (which people now do loads of before they've done their first lead). But now, it's more likely to feel quite a struggle.
> As evidenced by your ongoing insistence that Goliath's Groove is a) rubbish
It is, but that's subjective.
b) polished
It is and that's objective.
c) hard.
It's a graunchy HVS, probably harder than Kremlin Krack, but easier than Hen Cloud Eliminate - so just a hassle to climb.
> I put it to you that you too are a crackophobic ponce :p
Offwidths: guilty as charged, they're revolting.
Hand cracks: Love'em, so long as they're not too hard, thanks.
Finger cracks: Lots of the routes I've done at the top of my grade.
But give me cool moves above a run-out any day - a buzz rather than a hassle!