I am a bit removed as of now having moved far away from my favorite place to climb. However, I will chime in with my opinion.
Primarily, I have always sought FA's, everywhere I frequent. Yosemite, southern yosemite, pinns, sonora, j-tree. I don't climb many established routes anymore, and always figured I would climb what interested me in order to find my own adventure.
I have never rap bolted, used a power drill to establish a climb, pre-inspected, or cared what anyone thought my motivations were. This limited my reach in terms of new routes.
In Pinnacles, there is a long standing, ground up tradition. This has been vehemently enforced by "locals" dating as far back as bellizzi's POD. Yes, rap routes have come since then, but without the staunch efforts through discussion, and at times removal of rap bolted routes, the park equalization to a ground up arena would have been lost. It is better for it IMHO. Had these efforts not been managed, pinnacles would look like Atomizer said "Castle Rock".
New wave FA's, in the last 10 years that I have been visiting pinnacles is very far from a numbers chase. It just makes sense that going ground up will inherently limit the "quantity", proven by looking at the number of new routes in the last decade. Having a sense of adventure by choosing NOT to pre-inspect, drill from stance, run it out, etc is all part of the tradition. Entitlement is a word I have recently been hearing in regards to the current FA'ist and new routes that are attributed to them. This word "Entitlement" has been used as of late and I am a bit perplexed.
Entitlement to what I ask? The "right" to establish new routes? The right to discern what is acceptable quality, length etc? Absolutely. Everyone is "entitled" to do as they wish, keeping in context the rich history in an area void of massive rap bolting onslaughts. The problem is, those that are vocal, tend to not be interested in the grades of what is being established.
I have done plenty of dangerous FA's in pinnacles, but at the same time, found gems that were overlooked and classic. "King Lines" as one might say in terms of quality, not numbers (I am not that great of a free climber). All of them were uncertain from the onset, yet many yielded the adventure, quality and suspense I was looking for. I have only left 1 project unfinished due to a rock quality I was not into. That to me is saying something. If nothing else, that I finished what I started out of respect for the process.
I challenge those who are not into FA's at pinns to climb some of the newer routes (last 10yrs), that have been cleaned up. Many might be surprised with the quality, some may not. Most people don't put quality in the same sentence with pinnacles. However, doing a SA of a new route, one must appreciate the process of it coming to equalization. This takes time, but generally works out for the better with traffic. Royal Flush on Casino rock is one of the best plucks I have ever had. Those that have climbed it like it. JOE D even let me pass without calling it "Garbage"! LOL.
I say, keep new routes in context with the pinns fabulous history, and push each other to climb what makes sense. Many are going to argue what is worthy, however it is up to the FA party to do the best job as pioneers.
This is a age old discussion. Sometimes people get butthurt, sometimes they are jealous, other times they are "entitled" due to how hard they send. End of the day, those who are putting up routes, will always be in the limelight. They should be prepared to answer questions if those questions are posed in a thoughtful manner, just as the routes that go up, thoughtfully.
I can assure any naysayers, that the majority of new routes, especially those in recent years, were done thoughtfully. This I know from experience, having personally climbed with most regulars on this site, and the park over the last decade.
Then again, it is just my opinion. If you don't like chossy routes, then don't climb early ascents, stick with the milk runs I always say.
Or go and find you're own adventure.