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Slang for a Top-Rope Flash? Spark?

Original Post
Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171

I cant find an existing consensus or standing dialogue... my google-fu is either lacking, or this has yet to hit the ‘net?

Anyone have suggested term for a Top-Rope-Flash?

Top Rope Onsight, I like to call “Tronsighting”, which feels both obvious and fun.

But the obvious abbreviation for TR Flashing feels like it would be “Trashing”, which seems kinda dumb, since usually a TR Flash is driven by concern for safety or punching above once’s weight class.

It’s silly to try and establish a definitive term, but lexicology and inventing new jargon is fun stuff.

anyone have any notions?

Whats the origin of the word flash?

A flash is a quick burst of brilliance, yeah? Seems fitting, for a quick send.

So would a Top Rope Flash be a slightly dimmer flash?

What is that? A “spark”?

I‘m open to other ideas, but i feel like spark is super fitting. A spark in the right atmospheric conditions creates a flash. But a spark in a low-oxidizer environment is simply a spark, and doesnt catch as much attention. But a spark is also the ignition for fire, which is red, hence sparks precede the red-point.

All kind of brilliant, I dare say.

Any other notions?

csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330

TRash

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171
csproul wrote:

TRash

NO. See above. 

alt:

Haha! Great suggestion, kinda funny, but I do believe I called that out as suboptimal for well-expounded reasons and asked for alternative ideas! Would love for you to sincerely contribute more expansive thoughts on the matter.

Double alt:

[angry rage text in massive caps-lock-on paragraph ending in “...THIS IS WHY WE CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS.”]

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171

Also, you guys have heard of “Flash it or trash it.” comp training, yeah? It’s pretty rad. I’ve never been cool enough to actually give it a legit go, but those young crushers seem to get a lot out of it.

Calling top rope flashes “trash”es is misnomering an established term in the lexicon.

I TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.


Edit: points i’d like to come back to when i’m not (appropriately) red-labelled for spending too much energy on this: cold couch dad fuckin did it, the tribe has spoken and i am ignorant i suppose - but my emphasis is that top rope sends DO count for shit and its cynical humor at best to belittle them as irrelevant, “tredpointing” is magnificent, WTF Caillin youre a genius and I’m stoked to have rediscovered your content, brownpointing is way funnier and i love it but ethan needs to adjust his justification, trevor in todays climate please clarify for me why a blackpoint is appropriate for  “unsending”,

JonasMR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 6

Top rope flash is "Trash." I appreciate your desire to change that, but I think it may be too late. We've all heard it too often, and it's funny.

You can still try to head off "TRedpoint." If you want.

PatMas · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jan 2017 · Points: 40

I think it was Ethan Pringle that called it a "Brownpoint - cause it don't count for shit" and that always seemed the best to me.

Onsight > Flash > Redpoint > Pinkpoint > Brownpoint

Princess Puppy Lovr · · Rent-n, WA · Joined Jun 2018 · Points: 1,756
PatMas wrote: I think it was Ethan Pringle that called it a "Brownpoint - cause it don't count for shit" and that always seemed the best to me. Onsight > Flash > Redpoint > Pinkpoint > Brownpoint

What about blackpoint where you unsend a route

PatMas · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jan 2017 · Points: 40


Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

What about blackpoint where you unsend a route




OOOhhh I've never heard that one, I'll add it to the list! I'm also a fan of the "Amnesia Onsight" when you think you onsighted a route only to check your mountain project ticks and find out you did it 4 years ago.
J P · · Portland, OR · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 474
Brent Kelly wrote:

Also, you guys have heard of “Flash it or trash it.” comp training, yeah? It’s pretty rad. I’ve never been cool enough to actually give it a legit go, but those young crushers seem to get a lot out of it.

Is this the idea of climbing it the first time, and if you fail, never coming back to give it another go?

WillF · · Sacramento · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 30

Brent, 

You might not want to lead that route, because you will blow your TRonsight. I have been using TRonsight, TRedpoint, and TRash as a way to make jokes about climbing for years. Whenever I take newer climbers climbing, I realize how absurd the concept of redpointing/ onsighting some rock climb is. I actually really like the term brownpoint, because nobody cares if I spend two weeks redpointing some random 5.12 sport climb, no matter how meaningful it was for me. At least I enjoy playing the game and poking fun at ourselves at the same time.

Will

shredward · · SLC · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5

I disagree with OP, and I will continue to use the term "Trash".  It think its funny, and it is a good description of the significance of flashing on toprope.  

John Reeve · · Durango, formely from TX · Joined Nov 2018 · Points: 15

"Damn, I should have just led it"?

simplyput . · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 60
shredward wrote:

I disagree with OP, and I will continue to use the term "Trash".  It think its funny, and it is a good description of the significance of flashing on toprope.  

Agreed. I don’t see the need to change something that’s already in existence.

Drifting, but what’s with the whole restricting who can reply to a thread? Admittedly, I’m not the most active MP poster, but it’s a new to me feature.

Cron · · Maine / NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 60
Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

What about blackpoint where you unsend a route

A blackpoint is actually when you’re blackout drunk and have no memory of sending it. So technically, you can flash a route after blackpointing it.

RRR · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2020 · Points: 0

I think there should be a distinction between a TR "send" "while removing the draws" vs "only unclipping" vs "climbng on the free end".

Brownpoint vs TRedpoint vs TRash, maybe?

Cherokee Nunes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 0

Regardless of what you call it, merit badges will be issued and achievers called out on our weekly Status Update conference call. You top ropers are ALL WINNERS, each and every one of you.

Remember, even Jesus top roped a little.

Sawyer W · · NH · Joined May 2018 · Points: 0

It's called a brownpoint

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171
Cherokee Nunes wrote:

You top ropers are ALL WINNERS, each and every one of you.

More of my excessive thoughts on the matter soon, but just to quickly say...


I agree with this wholeheartedly   

june m · · elmore, vt · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 116
PatMas wrote: OOOhhh I've never heard that one, I'll add it to the list! I'm also a fan of the "Amnesia Onsight" when you think you onsighted a route only to check your mountain project ticks and find out you did it 4 years ago.

Grey  point,   when you go back to your  paper  journal  , and find out you  onsighted   a route 25  years ago.  

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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