UKC

Hey folks, how much 'gardening' do you think is acceptable to create a new route/problem?

I know there are some rare plants that live on and at the top of cliffs...

I have a project that I have been trying but the top section suffers from a bit off runoff. There is a patch of vegetation (about 2m x 3m and up to 0.5m deep) that I was considering digging some of it away off the top to try and stop the dampness.

Is this going too far?

I previously dug back maybe 20-30cm from the edge of the rock which helped a bit. I did this a year ago and it is hardly visible now (although it looked a wee bit messy when I first did it!)

Your thoughts please.

In reply to Beardyman:
It depends doesn't it:

How good is the problem going to be?
How rare are the plants? (If at all rare I'd definitely leave it alone)
Will it get unclimbable again in another 6 months?
Is anybody likely to notice?

Personally I'd err on the side of caution...

In reply to GPN:

--The problem is a king line in my opinion. When I first found it I knew it would make an awesome climb, whatever the grade, I thought it would go about 7b or 7c but after several visits I now think it's harder!
--I don't know much about botany but the plants seem fairly normal.
--I think it would permanently improve the seepage.
--I don't think anyone even knows the cliff exists!

In reply to Beardyman:

It's also about 7m tall so I really don't want to fall off the top!