Weird Bolt Placement

At my local top rope only crag, there is a bolt placed about 3ft off the deck. This crag has pre-installed anchor rings used for top roping. No lead climbing, bolting, trad, or bouldering is allowed. I don't know why this is there as it breaks the rules of the crag. Plus, I think it's pretty useless there anyway. Maybe someone knows what it could be used for? Is there anything that should be done about it?

Weird bolt.

It could be used to keep a lightweight belayer on the ground but thats still pretty odd....

Maybe it's for demonstrating rope-related things? At 3', that's all I can think of. But if it's a TR-only crag, I can't imagine what would need to be demonstrated using a single bolt. Two would be handy for demonstrating transitioning from lead to rapping to clean, but that doesn't apply here...

I'm sure its there to suck the rope in when initially bolting. They forgot to take it off after.

A crag where your not allowed to trad climb? Is that a thing?

I saw this a lot in the Aiguilles Rouges. Still not sure why.

Rope soloing set ups. That's my first thought.

Sam Lightner, Jr. wrote:I'm sure its there to suck the rope in when initially bolting. They forgot to take it off after.

This. It's a very common way to stay into the wall and bolt (or even clean since you say this crag doesn't have lead bolts), especially when it's moderately overhanging.

TR soloing with a minitrax

I would use it for a ground anchor for a Silent Partner, but it sounds like you're saying there is no leading here? (WTF?!)

Chaining up your children.

If it's not interfering with your climbing and the land managers don't know about, leave it there. If you bring it to the attention of the owners or land managers, it could cause more problems.

Free hanger! Score! Go install it in a better place.

Wade J. wrote:Chaining up your children.

+1 or your dog.

Anson Call wrote: +1 or your dog.

nah, just chain the dog to the children.

Does this happen to be in Ohio... I think I've seen that choss. And bolt

+1 dog

Paul-B wrote:Does this happen to be in Ohio... I think I've seen that choss. And bolt

Yes...

Walking along those cliffs there is all sorts of haphazard bolts strewn about. I remember there was a two bolt anchor like 9 feet off the ground with a bolt between it and the ground. I have no idea what was going on there. It was like someone got a bolting setup for Christmas and just wanted to test it out.

Paul-B wrote:Walking along those cliffs there is all sorts of haphazard bolts strewn about. I remember there was a two bolt anchor like 9 feet off the ground with a bolt between it and the ground. I have no idea what was going on there. It was like someone got a bolting setup for Christmas and just wanted to test it out.

Yesterday was my first time climbing there. Thanks for the info!

Minus 1,000,000 for your dogs.