Good pro or easy runout

So while I was climbing an easy but rather runout multi pitch today I got to thinking, which do people prefer: runout, easy climbing, or harder climbs that have better protection?

R U N O U T H A R D C L I M B I N G

No hesitation from Josh!

I would rather run out some easy stuff

If it's at my limit I like it well protected, or runout at a grade just hard enough where I start to get excited (say 5.8 or 5.9?). There are a lot of amazing 5.7-5.9 pitches here in the Gallatin Canyon in MT with sections of 40-50 runout. Easy is fun either way, I've been on awesome 5.7 clip-ups and SUPER runout 5.5 slabs. All good fun.

Judging from Crack Swindler and similar routes the last few weeks, I'm leaning toward runout easy terrain. Perhaps a fair number of low experience trad leaders lean this way?

Harder climbs with good pro. I most prefer very long, continuously difficult multi-pitch climbs that protect well.

Harder climb(for my ability) with good protection would be my preference.
Something that plays into this, for me, is the increased likelihood of an injury on a easier climb in case of a fall(ledges).

Hard climbs with "G" pro 100%.

Agreed.

Harder climbs and easier climbs are all made better with a GoPro... oh, wait, wrong thread.

90% of the time I'd rather have run out easy terrain. 10% of the time I want to try hard, and when I do I like for it to be well protected.

Christian George wrote: If the pro isn't good enough, wait a few hours and someone from Boulder will be by to bolt the piss out of it.

Runout hard stuff!

Seriously though, there's just something about running it out near your limit...

Josh Kornish wrote:R U N O U T H A R D C L I M B I N G

I like easy climbing that is easy to protect. I've found that my "style" involves low angle slabs, but with big holds that are really close together. Yay!

Leslie McG wrote:So while I was climbing an easy but rather runout multi pitch today I got to thinking, which do people prefer: runout, easy climbing, or harder climbs that have better protection?

Why not both? Enjoy it all.

RIGHT !!! But the occasional good whipper keeps you "enlightened"

I tend to gravitate more to slab where you can find a stance to look around and enjoy the view.

I know lots of people love the intense focus and rush of overhung climbing where you are fighting the aerobic/anaerobic and lactic acid clock, but that isn't quite me.

I've done some lead top roping on G rated routes at my limit. You know where you always have some pro above you on the way up. I don't really feel that exciting now that Ive fell and think the gear won't rip out. So for me runout easier climbing gets my vote.

Go check out the final pitch on The West Ridge route on The Wedge in the Organ Mountains of New Mexico. 5.7 terrain, but with a huge runout above spotty pro and exposed as all get out. Exciting moves, and blowing it means a high probability of potentially serious injury. Very exciting. So my vote goes for runout on easy terrain, but terrain that will put those tingles in your belly you have to put down in order to make the moves. I was solid leading at 5.8 when I did this line, but this pitch got into my head. I like that.