Checking the weather all week and only seeing the rain icon on the iPhone was kinda getting to me, another week not getting out on the natural rock, very frustrating.On Saturday morning I check, hoping for some good news and the weather has turned for the better. I confirmed with Tommy and we agree bolt clipping at Winspit, Swanage is on.
We headed straight to the crag and set up camp underneath two nice 5a routes. One called "plaice a bolt" and the other "fishy business", perfect for getting back into leading. I thought they were really nice routes that challenged me, I felt I was putting good sequences together and climbing well, the conditions were perfect too.
Now warm, Tommy encouraged me to attempt an on-sight of a 6c "silver bream machine", a big jump in grade, but I was feeling rather psyched and confident. I got 3 1/4's of a way through the route to a point which from the ground looked like a let off for a bit of rest, but Nope! After this section it was the crux and I was pumped and could not pull off a crimp to the finish of this route. To me the top section looked blank, I tried but to no avail, I was off. Tommy managed to get up it, finding a little under cup that I missed. Next time it's mine.
We then went and played on another 6c "gorilla tactics", by this time I was out of gas. Tommy had a good go at it screaming and shouting his way to the top, managing to finish the route, next time mate without a rest!!!!
Less bouldering and more bolt clipping is the plan now, as my endurance on longish routes needs to improve. I feel I'm climbing well and positioning myself a lot better on the wall. It's just a case of climbing more and more and building confidence and endurance.
A nice day out with some nice routes done, nice weather and good company.
Just a mention all photos were taken by Tommy's daughter Alisha Harris, awesome work.
Back in Guildford my fiance Natalie was on a climbing course at Craggy Island. Natalie seems to love climbing which is a result, maybe we can spend our honeymoon climbing the Matterhorn or Eiger!!!
It will be nice to share this sport that I have become so fond of with her.
A new climbing partner and one that's a lot better looking than my present one!!! (that's you Tommy)
We headed straight to the crag and set up camp underneath two nice 5a routes. One called "plaice a bolt" and the other "fishy business", perfect for getting back into leading. I thought they were really nice routes that challenged me, I felt I was putting good sequences together and climbing well, the conditions were perfect too.
Now warm, Tommy encouraged me to attempt an on-sight of a 6c "silver bream machine", a big jump in grade, but I was feeling rather psyched and confident. I got 3 1/4's of a way through the route to a point which from the ground looked like a let off for a bit of rest, but Nope! After this section it was the crux and I was pumped and could not pull off a crimp to the finish of this route. To me the top section looked blank, I tried but to no avail, I was off. Tommy managed to get up it, finding a little under cup that I missed. Next time it's mine.
We then went and played on another 6c "gorilla tactics", by this time I was out of gas. Tommy had a good go at it screaming and shouting his way to the top, managing to finish the route, next time mate without a rest!!!!
Less bouldering and more bolt clipping is the plan now, as my endurance on longish routes needs to improve. I feel I'm climbing well and positioning myself a lot better on the wall. It's just a case of climbing more and more and building confidence and endurance.
A nice day out with some nice routes done, nice weather and good company.
Just a mention all photos were taken by Tommy's daughter Alisha Harris, awesome work.
Back in Guildford my fiance Natalie was on a climbing course at Craggy Island. Natalie seems to love climbing which is a result, maybe we can spend our honeymoon climbing the Matterhorn or Eiger!!!
It will be nice to share this sport that I have become so fond of with her.
A new climbing partner and one that's a lot better looking than my present one!!! (that's you Tommy)
Good Day mate.. Much enjoyed.
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