What is this? You may have noticed that all the routes on the wall are now labeled with a 4-digit code.  These are unique identifiers for each route we build.  With this identifier, you will be able to:
    - find the new, or popular, routes that match your ability
    - give feedback about the routes to The Front and our route setters
    - rate the routes, and see the ratings from the others 
    - track your workout; see the grades of the routes you climb
    - compare your progress (anonymously) with others
 
Why is this good?  You get better, and The Front gets better.  You get better because the system will challenge you to try routes that are slightly harder than the average routes you're currently climbing.  Think it as a personal coach, moving you to the next level.  The Front gets better because we get your feedback on the routes.  Our route setters improve their technique; popular routes stay, new routes get better and match the abilities of our climbers.
 
What's Next.  If this works out as planned.  Not only will the system be your personal coach, it will automatically grade every route, not based on one person's opinion, but on how everyone actually climbs that route.  Once we have an analytic method for grading for each route, we can compare your ability with the other climbers, and we can create a fair grading system for comps -- much like the Golf Handicap.   Like a golf handicap, people of different abilities can then compete with each other on equal terms.
 
What you see here is just the beginning.  Feedback to the concept and implementation would be greatly appreciated .
 
The Front Staff