Writing a climbing guidebook is serious business. Deadly serious. While there are opportunities for humor, I constantly remind myself that the lives of the users could be endangered if I make a mistake.
The rise of electronic social media has changed the way many people interact and how they think that others should interact with them. I was in on the social media thing from the beginning. For example, I followed rec.climbing early on, then quit reading it when the info-to-noise ratio got too low.
I’ve had many very good climbers who post online send me their suggestions. It isn’t possible for me to contact each of you directly, so I have to make impersonal pleas for info on these online forums.
Why don’t I just harvest info from the climbing web sites? Here are some reasons:
- I can’t depend on the comments of anonymous people. Screen names like ‘rokluver69’ don’t instill any confidence in your comments. I have no idea how long you have climbed or where you have climbed.
- I don’t have time to wade through all of the junk that’s online. Those who talk the most generally have the least to offer. Or there are trolls/ flame wars/ etc. that waste everyone’s time.
- Online reports are often filed in the flush of victory (or in the throes of defeat). You finally completed a project; what are the chances you’ll downgrade it or call it a crappy route? A more sober, balanced assessment is usually only possible upon reflection.
- There are legal issues as well. If I found parts of my guide posted on a web site, the publisher would take legal action against the owner of the web site. If I take from a web site, the same could be done against me.
Also, if I was sued over the guidebook I need to show that I practiced due diligence in assembling the information that was published. Harvesting info of unknown quality from anonymous sources online clearly isn’t the best approach for accuracy.
So send me info if you have it, but if you don’t send it to me I can’t use it.