Bolts on Broad Stand

[FellMonster]

I'll go for Foxes Tarn on my next BG. Far safer and quicker than faffing on Broad Stand!

Why on earth would you seek to do it again Andy?

Some more helpful and sympathetic posts, which is good.

The history and tradition of the BG is important, certainly to the vast majority of those who chose to become involved in it.

Bob Graham didn't use bolts; neither did Alan Heaton.

They have set a standard of moral and ethical behaviour in connection with the passage of this obstacle that all future contenders, in my opinion, should at least adhere to.

It it frightens you or you cannot protect the corner in an ethically acceptable and responsible manner (which in my book means includes removing your gear after you have passed by), go by another route.

Did Bob Graham ever state that he didn't use ropes out of ethical or moral concerns? A genuine question because I don't know. If he didn't state any ethical or moral concerns then perhaps he simply didn't use a rope because (for example)
A) He was a competent climber
B) He and or his helpers couldn't be arsed taking the gear with them or pre-rigging it

Come to think of it, did he intend for his "round" to become a hallowed running challenge? Perhaps he did. perhaps he didn't. I'm not decrying the achievement or questioning it's authenticity...I am however questioning the use of terms such as "moral" and "ethical" in connections with the concerns about the evolution of the event....so maybe he didn't use ropes and put Bolts on broad stand but then he was a walker, not a runner and did his round in tennis shoes, long shorts, and a pyjama jacket..........

The point I am making is that the event has evolved, and u must either accept that or you don't......it seems wrong to accept bits of the evolution and hint that others are "immoral" or "unethical". Because, if you follow such criteria then you must therefore consider the ethical issue of attracting a large number of people from all over the UK to trapse all over the fells creating mass erosion during the summer months in particular........after all erosion's a naturally occuring event