If Malc Smith reckons that Dreamtime is 8b+ and Mauro Calibani reckons 8c, does that mean that Malcom will now remotely downgrade (from his armchair) Tonino '78 to 8c from Calibani's proposed 8c+? Grades...what would we do without them? Mick

Talk less?

You've really got a downer on grades Ian. It is very American......don't tell us you are also a "lifestyle buddist"....that's the latest rage here. Twas at the SnHappies yesterday and I was bouldering to the sounds of a Japanese Zen Flute. (don't ask me what grade I haven't a clue, but I climbed until I could climb no more)

Dreamtime is(by general concensus) standard font 8c.....the testpiece at the grade. (forgetting Malcs opinion for the moment) So how come so many people can climb it? Is there really 9 or 10 climbers who can all really climb the hardest boulder problem in the world, or is malc right, is it only 8b+? Why does it see so many repeats? What is it about that particular problem that draws the crowds and means it sees the repeats? Is it just because it's an easy (relatively speaking) one to work? is it quite simple when it comes down to it? Or so peolpe just "like" the problem, or is it becasue it's an accessable area? Who knows, it just seems there's a lot of people that can climb 8c, which poses the question is it really 8c (it has only taken malc a relatively few attempts to get it, but it's taken him over 10 years[on and off] to get his 8b+ Who knows.....