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Top Rope Projecting - Opinion Please

Kent Richards · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 81
ebethreegs wrote:So last weekend, my boyfriend and I were sport climbing at a local crag. This is the situation we faced: classic harder climb, 8 bolts, 70? ft of climbing, one person in front of us getting ready to climb… on top rope, no big deal, sounds great, we have not been on it before, maybe we can get some beta, we will wait. The next hour (if not longer) was excruciating. I honestly have no problem with people working something on top rope and taking their time, but this guy had no business on this route. I do not think he completed a move without falling, his belayer basically pulled him up, he made endless excuses for how slow he was being, and he sat there, hanging on the rope swearing he would finish. We stayed quiet and hung out patiently. Well I might have gone for a walk but we said nothing negative to the guy. His saving grace was that he offered to hang our draws for us when he finally got to the anchor; unfortunately he hung them all backwards…. doh! But whatever...So tell me MP, what are your thoughts on top rope projecting? Side note: my best friend thinks I am being pretentious for even commenting on this, but I honestly want to know, what is the general opinion about top rope projecting? Am I a dick for thinking that you should not jump grades just so you can say you “projected a classic -insert grade- climb”?
"I honestly have no problem with people working something on top rope and taking their time, but this guy had no business on this route."

==>

"I honestly have no problem with people working something on top rope and taking their time [as long as they don't take *too* long, are sufficiently qualified and have business being on the route, or aren't otherwise keeping legitimate climbers off the route]"

Some thoughts:

  • Courtesy goes both ways.
  • What happened to good ol' communication? "Hey, since it seems like you'll be on this route for a while, do you mind if we climb through quickly?"
Glenn Schuler · · Monument, Co. · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,330

IMO, If you are siege top roping a 70' route for an hour while there are other climbers waiting to get on the route you are being an inconsiderate dickhead.

S. Neoh · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 35
Luc wrote:If you absolutely have to do this route today (because you're visiting and it's your last day or something) then explain your schedule issue and if they'd let you squeeze in a quick lead.
I have done this myself; wanting to squeeze a route in before a flight. And I have let people cut in when they have to leave an area early or if they have travelled from afar and it is their last day. It never hurts to ask, as long as it is done with courtesy and consideration, and without unyielding expectation.
Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520
Glenn Schuler wrote:IMO, If you are siege top roping a 70' route for an hour while there are other climbers waiting to get on the route you are being an inconsiderate dickhead.
I know. Was that so hard to arrive at? Seriously, who even enjoys hangdogging for that long? If something turns out to be whacky outta my reach, I'm done and onto something more my speed. I don't have all day.
Aleks Zebastian · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 175
ebethreegs wrote:So last weekend, my boyfriend and I were sport climbing at a local crag. This is the situation we faced: classic harder climb, 8 bolts, 70? ft of climbing, one person in front of us getting ready to climb… on top rope, no big deal, sounds great, we have not been on it before, maybe we can get some beta, we will wait. The next hour (if not longer) was excruciating. I honestly have no problem with people working something on top rope and taking their time, but this guy had no business on this route. I do not think he completed a move without falling, his belayer basically pulled him up, he made endless excuses for how slow he was being, and he sat there, hanging on the rope swearing he would finish. We stayed quiet and hung out patiently. Well I might have gone for a walk but we said nothing negative to the guy. His saving grace was that he offered to hang our draws for us when he finally got to the anchor; unfortunately he hung them all backwards…. doh! But whatever...So tell me MP, what are your thoughts on top rope projecting? Side note: my best friend thinks I am being pretentious for even commenting on this, but I honestly want to know, what is the general opinion about top rope projecting? Am I a dick for thinking that you should not jump grades just so you can say you “projected a classic -insert grade- climb”?
Climbing friend,

This is pathetic compared to a bold flash, but most fine indeed, as long as they would do the respecting of others. This climbing friend should just have gotten off the route upon your waiting and offered you to have a burn instead of struggle so long and weak. Then you may make bold flash for glory, be a god among men in this moment, and they would be so ashamed of their flailing toprope compared to your bold flash with forearms refreshed at crux that they would leave and never to return. That is all.
mcarizona · · Flag · Joined Feb 2007 · Points: 180

Maybe get offended that they offered to hang your draws.
Steve

Jon Frisby · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 270

Can you imagine how long it'd taken if he'd tried to lead it?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Sport Climbing
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