#climbingismypassion — Public Fediverse posts

Took a little solo trip to Harrisons Rocks last Monday and it was a remarkably quiet and chill day working my toprope solo skills and some interesting moves. After a few laps of warmup, I tried this little number and got a few tips to improve my projecting skills - like actually pay attention when you work out the crux so you're not too blasted to do the top the way you worked out when you get there in one! I was pretty close to calling it on account of being cream-crackered, but sheer bloody-mindedness fortunately induced one more attempt as the sun got full on it. Fun one to work, actually.
#Climbing #SandstoneClimbing #HarrisonsRocks #ClimbingIsMyPassion #SouthernSandstone #TopRopeSolo

An unexpected opportunity for New Roof Day at White Spider presented itself on Friday - I was expecting autobelay laps, but Jon and Simona showed up and the plan changed. These are as far as we got; the "medium" routes across the muffins. So far the routes are at least interestingly different from the typical roof set, though the grades seem a little "off", possibly in part because even jugs felt greasy and slippery. Good? Well it was a very hot, sweaty day up in the roof, and I was kinda tired from a high-effort outdoor day Wednesday, so for the moment I'll just go with "interesting"...
Will have to get up there again - hopefully when the weather's a little cooler - and try some of the harder ones (and, of course one of these again...)!
#Climbing #IndoorClimbing #LeadClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #Whipper

Last Monday was a "getting my trad on" day at Wintours Leap on the Fly Wall with Mark. I'd actually seconded this route before and remembered it felt quite burly in places. What I hadn't remembered, despite the guide's warnings, was that the top pitch required quite so much big gear - having run out of big hexes, overcammed my remaining big cam, and placing both a decent Tricam and a slightly dodgy nut in smaller placements, it still felt a bit run out towards the top. Still, comedy gear, confidence and a touch of hubris will see you right...
#Climbing #TradClimbing #TradIsRad #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #WintoursLeap #WyeValley

Thoroughly murdered by the menacing Avidya and not wanting to end on a frustrating-if-interesting dogging session, I plumped for something a little more in my wheelhouse for my last route of the day rather than Jeremy's maybe-even-more-menacing "Avidya Direct". Just as well, really; there are definite elements of tiredness to be seen! Did actually manage a bit of breath control en-route, though, which helped a lot - maybe all that time listening to John Kettle wasn't wasted!
#Climbing #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #Ban-Y-Gor #WyeValley #FindTheZen #PracticeActuallyHelps

Of all the people I climb with other than myself, it's usually Jeremy that pushes me to try hard stuff. Last Wednesday was no exception and Ban-Y-Gor is full of hard stuff - the "6a" we warmed up on was thoroughly sandbagged, for example... After spending quite some time working out Gordonzola and then sending it this, described in the guide as "expect to work for it", was probably a little optimistic. Insanely hard moves (especially for the alleged grade!) and I couldn't find a sequence to the traverse that worked for my strength and reach. Still, on less mind-and-body-blasted reflection, there were a couple of unlikely things I could try. The press and mantle after, which I finally figured *how* to do after lots of swinging around, left me so core-thrashed I couldn't actually *do* it - a shame as the roof section looked fun. One of those routes torn between "No £$&!ing way am I doing that to myself again!", and "Maybe if I try fresh and do something weird, it might go!". Being generally bats, I'll probably end up on the "ouch"-side... If nothing else, there's always the direct start and the Good Friday Agreement that shares the same start to try - Both harder on paper, but oddly looking more achievable than that blank section on the traverse... By the way, this video represents around 5 minutes out of almost 45 spent dogging the route!
#Climbing #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #Ban-Y-Gor #WyeValley #TryHard #Whipper #FallingIsLearning

Last video from the Gower series ("Oh, Goody!", I hear you cry!) and the last day of the trip; feeling a little thrashed... A few fairly easy climbs back at the Three Sisters to finish off a great trip, including this one. It's not as good a route as Scissor Sister next to it, or even Sister of Pain on the other side, but it was a fun route to end on. Thanks to Helen, Alesia, and Sarah for company and belays and especially to Sarah for doing all the organising!
#Climbing #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #GowerClimbing #GowerPenninsula #WheresMySkin

Castaway cove has is possibly the most photogenic cove on Rhossili beach with some fantastic routes in it, and I've done quite a few now; this is the hardest so far and lives up to the great movement of the others. The only problem with Rhossili is you're always racing the tide and this was a quick pit-stop on the way back from Mermaid - the last route of the day. Thanks go to Alesia for the spotting attempt as I wheel-spinned my way up to the rather high first bolt - from my perspective it didn't feel quite as sketchy as it looked (I'd actually allowed for possible barnacle-related foot-slippage with very good hands), but it was definitely a hairier start than I'd imagined! Looks like I'm running out of excuses to not try the harder routes in the cove next time I get there!
#Climbing #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #GowerClimbing #GowerPenninsula #RhossiliBeach #BarnacleFeet #ShouldaClipsticked

Next up from Sister 2.5 on the Gower is "Schmills and Boon" on the tiny, top section of the area. A short, little number with an obvious (though not to read apparently) crux that packs a punch... Didn't help that when I actually sent it, I was crimping on some sort of vegetation that was gradually sliming my hand off the hold. Thanks go to Helen for a solid catch and putting up with me faffing around with the start a lot.
#Climbing #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #FindTheFlow #GowerClimbing #GowerPenninsula #Whipper #FootworkNeedsWork

Another route from the Sister 2.5 area with Helen & Sarah - the hardest one I did and it'd be fun to go back and try some of the harder ones - and another one with nice moves. Again, actually felt kinda easier than expected - good day, getting stronger, or soft grades, who knows? - as, looking at it, I sort of expected a fall. The crux took a little working out, though!
#Climbing #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #FindTheFlow #GowerClimbing #GowerPenninsula

It's been a while since I've posted anything - partly because I haven't had a lot of outdoor time this year so far. That changed last week with great trip to the Gower with the White Spider crowd. This was day 3 at the three sisters area - in this case Sister 2.5 - with Helen (on tradding my gear to the wall) and Sarah (on belay). Probably the best weather of the trip coming after a tent-straining gale the night before, and moves felt easy and flowy. Got love a climbing day like that!
#Climbing #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #FindTheFlow #GowerClimbing #GowerPenninsula

...So yesterday was "New Roof Day" at @WhiteSpiderClimbing - always a fun time as it doesn't happen so often. So many fun routes and a great set, but 5(ish) laps of the roof didn't leave enough left in the tank to try the hard ones; next time, maybe! Thanks to Jon for the belay, company, and enthusiasm.
#Climbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #IndoorClimbing #LeadClimbing #TheSteeperTheBetter

Up on the left of "The Beach" main crag, where we did our warmup climbs, was this interesting, techy route. Evening was getting on, but we were having fun so Carole and I gave it a stab while Helen and Yoshi were down playing on Karpouzi. History suggests we had the greater fun...
#Climbing #Kalymnos #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion

Right next to Karpouzi at "The Beach" is this significantly thinner, harder, but almost equally fun line. Little disappointed not to get the flash on this one, but it was my own dumb fault... With maybe a little start-of-trip-low-mojo issue. Really good crag and a great climb, though.
#Climbing #Kalymnos #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion

Climbing day one in Kalymnos and we headed to "The Beach" near Palionisos. A couple of climbs in, we headed down to the "far right" sector for the fantastic-looking line from the picture in the guide. Seems like lots of other people have had the same idea, it being one of the more polished routes I've climbed in Kalymnos (even for flowstone), but the route lived up to the picture; lots of great, laybacking action. A fab start to a great trip, though group opinion was divided as to how good the route was!
#Climbing #Kalymnos #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion

Having got my sendgeance on Anonymous Bosch, we moved a couple of routes down to this thin, balancy-looking corner to step things up a notch. To be honest I wasn't actually expecting to onsight this, but was super-chuffed to get the send. Definitely a lot of try-hard and sheer bloody-mindedness to keep going towards the top, which I am also quite proud of. Surprisingly for me, my inner monologue didn't break and I didn't start talking and swearing at myself... Maybe because of all the helpful encouragement from Jeremy Donaldson that I was vaguely aware of in the background :-) Thanks also to Robin James for the patience watching us try this stuff after he broke himself...
#Climbing #Gower #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #TryHard #Onsight

Sooo… Ended up back at Watchhouse slab with top geezers @Jeremy & @Robin. Inevitably, I introduced Jeremy to "Anonymous Bosch". For anyone following along, you'll remember it spat me off at the crux last time before I worked out how to do it, so I was after sendgeance. Unfortunately, my memory was kinda faulty so I well messed up the crux first go following Jeremy's beta instead of my own. On the up-side, my mojo was stronger this time, as was my shoulder, so things were looking up for the second try of the day once the brain had been jogged. Great route, fun moves and good catches from Jeremy.
#Climbing #Gower #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #Whipper

Not the Gower, but still Wales; heading back from the Gower, Helen, Carole and I were set to do a crag "on the way". After debate, we settled on Ferndale, North of the M4 near Porth. Sandstone, it turns out - big, blocky, hard, sandstone, not the "crumble at harsh words", soft, Southern Sandstone - and a shortish approach (up a big hill, though!). This banging route had a slightly shaky start, an interesting puzzle crux, and a fun upper section.
#Climbing #Wales #SportClimbing #SandstoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion

"Oh, no! The sea! Run away!"... "...But not TOO far; just round the corner where it can catch us easily should do..."
At least Castaway Cove itself doesn't flood quickly in the tide, but on the other hand we did have to paddle out again round the corner - fun when there's swirling sand and one fairly narrow strip that's merely calf-deep when the rest is at least knee-deep. Totally worth it for this banging route, though, and probably the most picturesque cove of Rhossili beach.
#Climbing #Gower #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #Rhossili #LastMinuteRetreat

Rhossili beach is such a fun venue: Sharp barnacles for the first 4 meters of every climb, slippery, salt air rock, potentially corroded protection, slogging over sand to get there, limited time to climb, and a very real chance of being stranded or swept out to sea... What's not to like? Seriously, though, it's an epic location with some great climbs and it's even better with a fun bunch. I thought this one would be a fun challenge for said bunch to try - arete climbing being a style not seen that much in the gym - and thoroughly enjoyed it myself.
#Climbing #Gower #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #Rhossili

One from the "Try hard at White Spider" collection... Been a little broken since Nice; tweaked my elbow when I came back and it's been niggly since, so I've put the try-hard on hold a little. With the elbow complaining less, I figure it's time to apply a little and see. The cave was both a project and test - had had one session at it and struggled transitioning to the wall and also completing the final sequence but found it didn't tweak the elbow too much (no lockoffs!). Tuesday was cave day... Thursday was back to crimpy routes likely to tweak the elbow. Luckily the cave looks like it's up another month for another session, and the route seems doable with a little practice and try-hard. We'll see!
#Climbing #LeadClimbing #IndoorClimbing #ClimbingGym #ClimbingIsMyPassion

It wasn't all sunshine and sends in Nice... There was quite a lot of rain and whips too. The one had something to do with the other because damp limestone can be a little slick, though the reasons also included grade sandbagging, fatigue and just plain sucking. Anyway, I thought I'd post a little compilation of Nice whips because who doesn't like a bit of schadenfreude?
Thanks to Roy and particularly Alesia for not dropping me!
#Climbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #SportClimbing #LimestoneClimbing #Nice #LaTurbie #CoteDAzur #Whipper

Loving the new @whitespiderclimbing compwall set; nice progression and interestingly different from recent sets. Did all the "easy" ones last week and the wall's mostly been out for other setting when I've been in since, so now it's time to try nearer the top of my flash-grade. This blue has big @gazparry energy (lacking footholds, especially the crux!)... Or maybe @alex_patterson_climbing was just channelling him! 😂 Great route either way!
#Climbing #LeadClimbing #IndoorClimbing #ClimbingGym #ClimbingIsMyPassion

First send vid of the year, inspired by the upcoming cave reset. Actually pretty doable if you're only mildly wasted and not completely boxed before you try it... There's probably a lesson in there, but damned if I can spot it 🤣
#Climbing #Bouldering #IndoorBouldering #ClimbingIsMyPassion #WeaAeSpiderClimbers

"OK, so it was a hard upper-body workout yesterday and my shoulders are sore, but why don't I have another go at that roof I keep dropping? What could possibly go wrong?"
#TryHard #Climbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #IndoorClimbing #WeAreSpiderClimbers

The new @WhiteSpiderCLimbing comp wall set is rather fun. Bit of a grade gap between the (softish) 6c to this blue 7a+ (or nails 7a maybe if you have fingers of steel), but all top routes with great movement. This one is no exception with classic @YannGenoux vibes - tough, technical, interesting, progressively harder, and the crux at the top. Didn't feel up to trying this the first session, but did everything easier so now it's time to #TryHard !
#Climbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #IndoorClimbing #WeAreSpiderClimbers

Hardest lead of the day for me. Another epic line, if not quite as striking as the apparently famous Jean Jeanie just to the left. Definitely tougher, despite being the same grade on paper. Such an impressive face of rock and so many interesting lines up it. Weirdly, I almost found this harder than the HVS on the diagonal crack just above, which I managed to second clean despite a couple of awkward gear retrievals.
#Climbing #TradClimbing #ClimbingIsMyPassion #Kendal #LakeDistrict #LimestoneClimbing #TrowbarrowQuarry

Some pics from this friday's jaunt back to Fairy Cave... This time with the excellent @SueLambooij (unmarked pics by Sue), who suggested this fun, little number; "Equals Not" (18m VS 4b). Moves enough to be fun, gear enough to be solid plus bonus flowers and hex belay (love a good hex!🤣)
#climbing #climbingismypassion #MendipHills #rockclimbing #tradclimbing #MendipHillsClimbing #limestone #limestoneclimbing #trad

The first climb from #FairyCaveQuarry last Friday week with @HelenFinn. Another crag classic it seems and definitely worth a climb. 38m of balancy slabbiness.
#climbing #climbingismypassion #MendipHills #rockclimbing #tradclimbing #MendipHillsClimbing #limestone #limestoneclimbing #trad

A few shots from the rather fun Tricam workshop day with Rise and Summit at Wintours Leap on Saturday. Leads on Swallow's Nest (VS 4c) and African Killer Bee (VS 4c) including placing some of said (rather versatile as it turns out) pointy devices. Not shown; the faceful of hail I took 3/4 of the way up Swallow's Next - mostly, I suspect, because Kev was rather more concerned for my safety on the suddenly very slimy and rather exciting upper section than taking pics 🤣 Thanks for that, Kev! Also nice to have climbing pics that don't feature my backside!
Pics by https://riseandsummit.co.uk/
#climbing #climbingismypassion #rockclimbing #tradclimbing #limestone #limestoneclimbing #trad #wyevalley #wyevalleyclimbing #wintoursleap #tricams

Great day out with Helen Finn last Friday at #FairyCaveQuarry. Maybe the curse of it raining every time I go there has been lifted, maybe not; it didn't actually rain, but despite the forcast it almost did! Nice venue, great routes, fairly comfy grades. This 35m VS was well worth the 3 stars it gets and just at the right challenge level for me to improve my gear placements under a bit of pressure.
#climbing #climbingismypassion #MendipHills #rockclimbing #tradclimbing #MendipHillsClimbing #limestone #limestoneclimbing #trad

So, having finished with the Kalymnos videos, back in the UK I managed to get a bit of trad action in. This was from the rather nice Shorn Cliff Great Central Cave area. Bit of a trek in, but fantastic rock!
#climbing #climbingismypassion #wyevalley #rockclimbing #tradclimbing #wyevalleyclimbing #limestone #limestoneclimbing #trad

Last route of day 5 at Little Eden and possibly my fave route of the trip. Little frustrated with myself on this one, but that was made up for by really great moves on an interesting mix of limestone types. That and the gorgeous view from the top :-)
#climbingismypassion #sportclimbing #kalymnosclimbing #limestoneclimbing #outdooradventures #climbing #rockclimbing #Kalymnos

Between work, finding a free partner and the lovely, changeable, British weather, Sunday was my first day on rock this year... Also Shan's intro to polished British rock and sketchy bolting after the friendly bolting and grippy limestone of Kalymnos 🤣
Great day out and nice prep for the return to sun.
#climbing #climbingismypassion #wyevalley #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #wyevalleyclimbing #limestone #limestoneclimbing

Little bit frustrated with my project at the moment, but it's such a good route and so close to my limit (on the "wrong" side) that I'm keeping at it. Probably I'm nuts; there's another new "7a" just round the corner that I got all the moves in 2 sections on my flash attempt... But where's the fun in that? 😂
#WeAreSpiderClimbers #climbing #indoorclimbing #climbingismypassion #tryhard #projecting

So I haven't posted a project update in a while... Partly because I've not had the occasion to get on it (read: in part distracted by shiny new climbs), but also because my last attempt was dire. I wasn't going to post this, but then I thought; failing is absolutely part of the process of climbing better, so why hide it? Plus, I guess it's kinda funny? Good spot from Jeremy :-)
#climbing #indoorclimbing #WeAreSpiderClimbers #climbingismypassion #climbinglife #whipper

Well, didn't try my project at the end of sesh for a change! TBH I wasn't expecting to send (yep, that was probably part of the problem), but I was a little dissapointed with my focus all day and my precision sucked - a bad finger/body position is where I fell (good catch, Shan!). On the up-side, though, my movement was more relaxed and I didn't feel especially pumped approaching the crux, so small wins!
By the way, experimenting with a new font after constructive feedback from @optilude so please let me know if it's more readable!
#climbing #climbingismypassion #WeAreSpiderClimbers #indoorclimbing #projecting

Not sure if I'm daft, fooling myself, or actually making progress on this beast, but I choose to believe the latter (well, probably the former, too...) Think it might be time for another send attempt - with a good, solid fielder below for that scary whip off the crux :-)
#WeAreSpiderClimbers #climbing #climbingismypassion #indoorclimbing #projecting

So... Turns out when you do laps across the roof, you can't climb your hardest route afterwards... who knew? Still taking a bit of a win from the try, though.
#climbing #indoorclimbing #projecting #WeAreSpiderClimbers #climbingismypassion

Not fantastic form tbh, but well happy to get the flash considering a fair number of routes including a try-hard on my lead project before-hand! Enjoying the new cave set @whitespider
#climbing #indoorclimbing #bouldering #indoorbouldering #WeAreSpiderClimbers #ClimbingIsMyPassion

After a few kinda frustrating tries to stick the crux after doing the really short (🤣) 40-odd move start, I finally sent this beast! 🥳At White Spider Climbing, Chessington, home of the sandbagged bouldering grade 😂
#climbing #climbingismypassion #WeAreSpiderClimbers #bouldering #climbinggym #indoorclimbing