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I don't know if Aid climbing is the only sub-sport of climbing that one can become world class within a year or two, we live in an age were 14 year old girls are sport climbing 8a+ .
I think that it is rather bad form to be-little a climbing dicipline, like that.
I think aid climbing takes a particular talent and lots of training.
There's alot of equipment involved, all of which you should know how to use,
and be able to use it effectively, efficiently, and safely.
There are systems you need to understand, and be able to put together in an organised fashion. As well as logistics that need to be worked out, and arranged properly.
I think the Idea of a dirt bag aid climber tripping on acid, whilst drunk, a little out of sink.
so, for viruk :
Viruk, Aid Climbing is a form of ascending a rock wall/Cliff face, with the use of equipment to 'aid' in the ascent.
Generally aid climbing is not done on single pitch crags, like peers cave.
This style of mountaineering is usually used on Multi-Day ascents, were there are sometimes no bivvy Ledges.
Often, one can free certain parts of the route, and harder sections are "Aided".
If you are a sport climber, and you pull up on a quick draw, you are in essence "aiding", some people call that "french free" as it is aid climbing, without the initial intent. I.E. you are not using etriates, which are big slings with leg loops, that can be quite precarious balance in. Stretching to placing a delicate wire that will not fail, standing in the top loops, whilst trying not to swing too much, least you pop the sky hook, (which is another devise) can be quite strenuous too.
Once the first climber aids to the belay station, He then needs to start hauling.
A good knowledge of hauling systems, should be helpful in raising the large haul bag, filled with your psychodelics, booze, maybe water, food and a sleeping bag. you want to get it right, if you smash the bag, you could loose or break something you need, if it gets caught, that'll slow you down.
(you want to be efficient, because your supplies are for a limited time).
The second (belayer), will then Climb the rope that you have fixed to the anchor,
he should also be a little savvy, especially with traverses, when you don't want to leave gear behind, and /or take a huge pendulim, and when i say he should be savvy, the first climber needs to be too. In how he protects the seconds rope, remember this rope is going to be loaded, almost all of the time.
Once the second has arrived, there's a change over and it all begins again, untill you've reached the designated 'end of the day'.
Then you can settle in for the evening, have a glass of wine.
The thing that can appeal about aid climbing is the problem solving,
your turning the vertical world into home for a little while, and gravity presents some challenges.
You need to think about what your doing, i.e. if you clip the haul bag into the anchor, how are you going to get it off the anchor again ? You're not picking up 80 kg's with one hand...
You need to be efficient with rope work, with gear, with everything or you're not going to get very far.
It's slow going, as it is.
If aid climbing really required so little talent and training, people wouldn't carry all thier sh"t up to places like Fernwood Face and then turn around, Beaten.
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