CAWA

Thanks for the good work Mark.

Does anyone know why Wounded Knee is R rated? Is it due to the old homemade hangers or due to run-out or whatever?

I guess I am just wondering if it is still considered a risky option despite the new bolts.

We were asking ourselves the same question. It doesn't really warrant one compared to the 2 right most climbs on that face, as they only have 1 bolt on each at about half height. But Wounded Knee is heaps harder, more insecure and stays that way right to the very top(even with 2 bolts).

But i think the last bolt on wounded knee would just keep you off the ground.....maybe:)if you pitched off at the top.I don't think the R rating was for the bolt. If they were that bad(which they weren't)an X might have summed up the potential catastrophic failure. But they were in reasonable condition, even with their homemade nature.

I gave it the R rating when I did the '02 guide and it was for the potentially 5m fall onto a 20 year old homemade hanger. Not X as I did not think death/life threatening injury would result (flat landing), just broken leg/hip/arm or so. Now would be just 22.