28/07/07
Balance of Power Video...
For those of you that enjoy the vicarious experience of watching internet climbing videos, Gavin Symonds has placed some hair-raising footage on YouTube of his first solo ascent of 'Balance of Power', at White Hole. Click on the thumbnail link on the right! In other news, local BMC rep Steve Taylor has managed to secure 122 bolts from the BMC 'local bolt fund' so that the remaining old 'through-bolts' in the area can be replaced. Well done to Steve for arguing for our corner on this one! It has also been observed that the belay bolts on some of most popular routes are becoming worn because of climbers top-roping directly through them. Obviously these will eventually need replacing also, but in the short term, please use a screw-gate/ quickdraw for top-roping routes. DCWEB is in the process of compiling a database of routes that need retro-bolting, or the replacement of the odd bolt. This is partly as a means of identifying all of the routes that need attention, and also as a means of recording the inevitable ongoing wear-and tear on fixed gear. If you like to help in compiling the database, or have any concerns about any fixed bolt protection, you can let us know at the usual email address, below. If you would like to make a donation to the Dorset Bolt Fund, a PayPal account has now been set up. The PayPal email address is "climbersteve**at**googlemail.com". Don't forget to remove the stars with an '@' sign, or it won't work!.
Gav Symonds on the first ascent of 'Enter Shikari',
Godnor North
