"Sporty" pro?

If something is defined as having "sporty" pro, does that compare the protection to that of sport climbing, where as a climb is very well protected? Or does it mean spotty/scarce/fiddly pro? I've heard the term on more than a single occasion, and am just curious.

It means it is runout.

R/X

Sporty = fun!

Bryan Manning wrote:Sporty = fun!

If you like runouts and rusty, loose bolts then yes. A lot of us do.

So I suppose you're right. Sporty might very well = fun!

headead wrote:R/X

This.

Describes climbing like in the Gunks going from horizontal to horizontal with most routes limiting your pro placement for those places where you have those horizontals. Heading up you know the blank faces between won't offer any placements. Climbing a vertical crack you can plug something pretty much anywhere, 'sporty' describes the opposite IMO

I've never actually heard this term before.

Russ Keane wrote:I've never actually heard this term before.

sure you have. ever hear a car descibed as "sporty" same thing.

Russ Keane wrote:I've never actually heard this term before.

She was one of the Spice Girls!

I never took it to mean R/X. I think it's synonymous with spicy, approaching but not quite R.

I would use this term if it was well protected for a climber who is "on" the grade. It would certainly have at least one place were a fall would be...bad. May be more dangerous than PG13 but does not merit the risk rating for one or more reasons. I would also consider this term mutually exclusive with the term "sport".