About that FA You Think You Did

People have been climbing hard and pushing national and international standards at Devil's Lake since the 1930's. In that time, the Lake has been host to waves of incredibly talented people, and a tradition of squeezing in routes soon developed in order to make the most use of the somewhat limited amount of stone available. People have been seeking out the first ascent (FA) of independent routes and insignificant variations for the better part of a century. It is of course possible that you did find the brand-new, never-been-done-before, 5.12b variation of Acid Rock (5.12a), but it is highly unlikely. Even if you did, would it really be worthy of posting a new route on Mountain Project telling the world that you did the first "croutonless" ascent of a 50 foot route at Devil's Lake and have now narcissistically dubbed it Soggy Salad Toss (5.12b) First TR Ascent - Breast Headswell.

Before you name and claim do the necessary research. Start by asking around and finding out if what you think is a significant FA is both significant and indeed a first ascent. Respect the legacy of those that came before you and the legacy you will leave for yourself. A lot of things at the Lake were probably done for the first time many years ago, but the real first-ascensionist probably did not make a note of it, because they did not think it was important. In 25 years, do you really want to be the guy sauntering up to the base of Mouse's Misery (5.10a) spraying about the 10-foot, 3-hold, indirect 5.10b variation you did the FA of on a top rope 25 years ago? I know my personal answer to that question is a firm "No." - but maybe your answer is "Yes."

Creating a new route is cool, but it is a process. That process involves a lot of blood, sweat and tears that all-too-often end in disappointment, but sometimes...just sometimes, it ends in something amazing. Do not make the mistake of short-changing yourself by rushing that process. Do not rush the research, the work and the discovery - that is the journey of the first-ascensionist - and in the land of FAs, the journey is the destination. Enjoy the process!