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Sport Route at Forks?

Original Post
DesertRat · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 196

Climbing around the Prow area at Paradise Forks on Saturday, I noticed a line of shiny bolts up a face. Anyone else noticed this?

Jeffrey Snyder · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined May 2011 · Points: 3,740

You have quite good P.O.O. (Powers Of Observation). That is J.Mattson and Toula crews first and last bolted route they explored at the Forks. Know as Americans at Arapiles 5.12+. A much better and prouder option than the two bolt route on the Davidson Wall, Australians at the Forks. Route has seen years of chopping, rebolting, hanger thievery etc... Classic and well deserved even if its a reminder of the original sin of sport climbing.

DesertRat · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 196

Thanks for the info. Surprised I haven't noticed it before.

Jeffrey Snyder · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined May 2011 · Points: 3,740

There is a great excerpt in Toula's "A Cheap Way to Fly" that talks about the style and decisions made behind Northern Arizona's 1st rap bolted route. Hind-sightful; Not bad for the year I was born...FA J.Mattson 1986

DesertRat · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 196

Funny, I've owned that book for quite some time and hardly ever even open it. I'm always surprised by what I find in it when I do though. What ever happened to Toula? I corresponded with him once through email, back in the 90s about an obscure peak that he had in R&R.

Paul Davidson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 607

Interesting...
Tim T. is the one I believe who first removed the bolts.
Sounds like they're back? .

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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