not wanting to start a flame war. Not trolling.

just curious about the rational to new bolts and chain at the top of third described pitch of Indian summer on the pipes. Awkward belay option. Is it just a rap anchor?  Belaying a  bit higher- moving onto cracked pepper to the new anchor there seems a better option.

cheers

dave

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3 Comments

  1. Doug Bruce

    Hi Dave

    My memory is a bit hazy about the anchor at the top of Indian Summer but I think it was put in so that you could rap straight off and not interfere with anyone on Cracked Pepper, the rationale begin that they'd both become quite popular routes. Indeed, one day we were climbing Indian Summer when another party was on Cracked Pepper and yet another party waiting - all quite coincidental (and bizarre is what I remember thinking at the time). 

    Cheers

    Doug

  2. dave james AUTHOR

    ok, no worries.

    my personal view is they are a bit  'over prominent' (would look a touch better with a bit of paint) and it seemed like a strange use of a  good anchor when the new ones on cracked pepper are visible from the top of indian summer and relatively easy to access from that point also. I hadn't thought of  congestion.

    Our ropes pulled well straight back to our bags at the bottom.

    cheers

    d

  3. Doug Bruce

    I agree wholeheartedly about the paint. (I've got another set of anchors I've painted up that are ready to go in somewhere else.) We need to try to minimise visual impact of any anchors, including those put in for protection. I'd be very happy to see all anchors on the Pipes painted to blend in with the rock. In regards to using a good anchor on top of IS when the one at the top of CP is clearly visible, I think the more we minimise traffic across the top of climbs the better. I'm all for keeping climbing (rock) climbing routes clear of vegetation  but am very happy for the vegetation to grow up between them - and not get damaged (much like what we're trying to do with the track network at ground level).

    Regards

    Doug