In reply to UKC News: I thought you might be announcing your proposed extension to the winter climbs logbook page today, considering the queues and delays we experienced on certain winter climbs this year.
Winter climbing conditions blogs are the main cause for certain climbs being exceptionally busy. However blogs are a vital source of information so that climbers can be 100% sure of the condition of a route many days in advance of their ascent.
The "Book a Climb" feature to be launched next winter will allow registered users of UKC to book a climb for a certain date and time slot so that you can be sure to get the route to yourself. A Plas y Brenin spokesperson said "I am firmly in support of this move and we will be ready to police the system next winter".
Some concern has been raised about commercial users making block bookings for classic routes months in advance. However there will always be early morning slots available since mountain guides generally don't start work before their second coffee of the day.
Sounds like a good system to me!
Mike