UKC

Saw this, what do people think? I wanted to say something but wasn't sure how to do it without coming across as condescending.

Bomber.

What I really think, is that people need to keep their noses out of other peoples shit, even if it seems to be in vogue right now.
I mean, who the hell are you to tell them them what's right and wrong? There are far too many things you don't know: How good the second is, whether it's this guys 1st lead or his 1000th, he might be strongly braced (like this: http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.html?id=195123), he might have another sneaky anchor you can't see, there might be nothing better, etc. etc. etc.

It's pish. But is it liable to fail catastrophically? If so, day something. If not, leave alone.

It's shite. And it's evidence of gross stupidity. So is there more stupidity further down the line? Probably.
My guess is that this belayer needed close supervision to do his job competently.

in total agreement with Calder on this one. smug comments and armchair anchor criticism pisses me off. If for example this guy turned out to be an IFMGA guide bring up his colleague on a V Diff, you'd have a very different opinion.

How would he have coped in the 60s? Perhaps he would've chastised Mr Whillans for sloppy belaying.

I would say on its own definitely NOT good! But with another good point , equalised and the hole thing under tension it probably isn't going anywhere. Far from ideal though.

Not brill but seen worse. Be fine with a bigger sling.

'...If for example this guy turned out to be an IFMGA guide bring up his colleague on a V Diff, you'd have a very different opinion.'
Not from me, you wouldn't. (And kindly don't tell me what my opinions would and wouldn't be.)
'How would he have coped in the 60s?'
Wound the rope round the boulder? That's what I did in the 60s. And that's what I'd do now if my slings were too short for safety. Not exactly rocket science.

Exactly so - nothing wrong with your method. I was actually referring to the complainant rather the belayer re the 60s - maybe a bit ambiguous.

Hey, no harm done!

A mate of mine, in the 70's, was following 'hot' henry barber on a route on castle rock. He arrived at the top to find that henry had no belay. My mate had a mild freak-out. Henry drawled 'aw, bob, i coulda dug my heels in'. So on that basis, yeah, this belay is bomber. :)

Obviously never been to Gogarth (to the OP).