Are there advantages to having bolts on a climb?
Having bolts on a climb gives a climber confidence that the anchors he uses are sound. This generally allows the climber a margin of safety that allows him to push closer to the edge of his climbing abilities with less worry of the consequences. Most climbers climb one grade higher on sport routes. Bolts also free the leader from the chore of having to establish natural anchors. Fishing around to find the correct piece of protection and fitting it into the crack just right takes time and energy. It’s much easier to come to a bolt, clip a carabiner to it and move on.
