UKH

There have been a few photos in the gallery this week of some very short ice routes. Some look no longer than 3 or 4 body lengths (although that may just be a foreshortened view). Is there a general consensus for the minimum length of a winter route?

A few of the 'routes' photographed qualify for what some old timers would have called 'the approach".

It's the new sport of ice bouldering developing, surely?

So climbing some variable form of frozen water to not even the top of a mountain, by perhaps a non-logical line using steel aid for hands and feet needs more arbitrary rules? 

Minimum length is the distance required to give the climber a good experience!

The problem with ice bouldering is that the mats wear out too quickly.

Applying rock climbing standards works for me. I think the shortest I've ever seen is 4m.

Go "Old School" and loose the mat!

Winter bouldering is where it's at !  maybe my warped sense of humour, find this very funny, comedy gold from Birkett. 

youtube.com/watch?v=jNrdI1nUPmM&

Aladdins mirror direct when banked up, I watched Andy nesbit climb up past me in about three moves once, while I was struggling at the end if a rope

Brilliant!!!

Yes. Two inches

Not unless you want to apply them? I was wondering how long a route needs to be before a first (or subsequent) ascent(s) can be claimed. By your logic a simple step on ice can be a route if the experience was good. 

I will admit to having logged "From Culvert to Tree" it gets 12 m but in reality its probably closer to 6. In my defence however, I did continue up the ice line from the tree.

From culvert to tree (III)

I saw the photos with three lines drawn on a tiny patch of ice and felt a little sad.  Get a grip guys.

Alternatively there are few thousand first ascents still waiting for you on Ben Nevis.

6th March climbed,

6th March logged ay FA,

7th March someone states they previously climbed it.

Nothing like a bit of research before claiming a first ascent!

Claiming three routes seem a bit silly. I think it's pretty normal with ice just to count it as one route unless there's a clear obvious feature that is harder and regularly forms as such.

To be fair the actual climbing on Aladdin's Mirror Direct is about the same length. 

but really who cares? It's not the last "great problem" has finally succumbed, is it?