I think this is a bad idea…

What if Great White North wins, a bold and hard route. Does this mean safe and moderate is wrong?

What if Europa wins, a safe and moderate route. Does this mean hard and bold is wrong?

Climbing is about freedom of expression, not who is better.

my two cents
mm

There is nothing wrong with recognising accomplishments!!

I suppose the honourable thing to do would be for the sponsor to leave the company name/logo off the trophy but seriously, someone had to pay for it. Assuming that it is not ‘you’ , there is no excuse to be that opinionated (assuming you think the trophy is a good idea and not the sponsors logo).

Trouble is, sponsor names are on every event, ticket, poster, media, etc because every bit counts… having said that, and been someone whom has made event posters on Whistler/blackcomb, If you are the sole sponsor the more honourable thing to is leave your name off it and let word of mouth get you advertising. If multiple people pay for an event/trophy - some MORE than others - the greater sponsor should get the most recognition. I understand the inner workings of logos, sizes etc.

it’s capitalist for sure, but unless you pay for something through hard work or money, it makes it hard to argue against positive gesture such as a trophy.

word.

I agree with Matt,

To a point. I think for me the problem is that you would need to have awards for almost every kind of a achievement a climb brings.

Let us learn from past examples.

-an excerpt from Steve Houses’ commentary on the 14th Piolet d’Or Award.

The Piolet d’Or pretends to award ascents that represent the “evolution” of alpinism. I maintain that the Russian’s ascent of the north face of Jannu is irrelevant to modern alpinism. It is a big disappointment to me that the Piolet committee elected to glorify an ascent done in such horrible style.

At the very least, the jury was consistent. As last year they also gave the Piolet d’Or to an ascent done utilizing style that violates the ideals of the moral alpinist.

Perhaps my reader thinks that I am disappointed or bitter that I did not win the Piolet d’Or. No. This award is not my award and so my ego does not need it. The award belongs to and exists for its creators. Furthermore, it is obvious that with last year’s winners on the jury that I would not win as I am extremely critical of the style of their climb.

My award was successfully climbing K7; fulfilling my vision for alpinism. I went to Grenoble because it is important to represent my vision for alpinism to the public.

-in the end I believe(mm)that an award is only an opinion, one persuaded by politics and monetary value. I believe competition degrades the sport of climbing as I’ve discovered through indoor competitions where I have found myself wishing competitors to fall so that I may rank better, and also through working as a sponsored climber where politics and financial gain has created strife between friends. Once I removed competing against others in climbing, climbing became a whole lot more fun and fulfilling as a lifestyle while maintaining what I love about working in the industry.

Gee.. I feel a little sheepish now.  I completely agree with Chris..