In reply to Niall Grimes:
> (In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com) Your wish is my command, good knight.
> PS, questions are cool, but I could have sworn that you had taken a 'position'.
Not really. They'll never die, they are part of us all and we should be proud of that. I'm sure most are.
Be good if we could have some definitive statement/article about them: their history, evolution and use.
There is a lot of misunderstanding about them - then you get the clever dicks who shout down those that aren't as familiar with them.
I'd like to see the definitive article about them: a FAQ that we can direct people to so that those are new can be educated ( at thebmc.co.uk).
That is my primary concern.
Bob's article is good and is a starting point:
http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/climb/uk_grades.htm
Different people's viewpoints would be good in your article Niall.
Consider this:
"The publicity given to climbers who made free ascents in the 70's was vastly o0verrated. Usually no mention of nefarious tactics - like top rope inspection which reduces the difficulty by two grades"
Paul Ross 1994.
Get busy Niall and do not be late.
Mick