I've been spending much of my time van hunting and on the associated paper pushing that goes with that. We think we've tracked a good one down so hopefully next post ill be in possession of the keys and can stick a photo up too. I mean anything has to be better than those Beetles doesn't it.
In the meantime my quest to get back some fitness continued in earnest. I had that other sess at the Bowderstone last Tuesday and managed to shake my way through Coming Up For Air without quite so much pump as before so that was good. Since then I've been dabbling a bit in the Peak but temps have remained stubbornly warm (cue global warming comment) so its still been a bit of a plod.
Ticked everything at the Clifftop boulder Sunday and had a short session at the Tor today. That Bashers problem cannot only be 6c+ can it? It felt like the living end, but then I could only link 2 or 3 moves on the Powerband today, despite being close earlier this year, so that may well be why.
If high temps/humidity continue into early October another edge type problem you can get away with is the Stump Hole Cavern line, near to Gardom's south. Ok the setting is horrific (think Roadrunner Cave when it was alive and kicking) but the moves are pretty nice and interesting, bit sharp tho I suppose. I did the 7b+ sitter on Saturday when temps were around 20 degrees, it felt hardish for that grade but the crimps had started to tear a little by then. Still worth a visit I think especially on a day when there is very little wind going around up top.
Despite the general feel that the weather has yet to whole heartedly give its backing to the proper start of the bouldering season, I did get a sniff of it yesterday up in Yorkshire. A cool wind and overcast skies meant the Almscliff rock felt pretty good. Only ever been here once before, very briefly, so I was determined to climb a few of the classics.
Flying Arete (first pic below) is a really great line as is Morrell's Wall. I flashed the 7a traverse into Morrell's, which is not so good to be honest. Demon Wall Roof was next, the rock is elephant man ugly, but the moves are really cool, as is Dolphin Belly. However my main target for the day was The Keel. A really striking fin of rock that is the real classic here. I sent it pretty quick which was nice, id like to come back one day and try it sans the chip as that looks more technical. Grade wise I thought low end 7c but perhaps the better conditions helped me more than I realised and its only 7b+. Who knows, seems lots of grade debate on this problem.
Before heading off for a beer in Harrogate I wanted to give a quick go to Jess' Roof. Its really rare that you get long roof problems on grit so this is a bit of a gem really. I mean you know your in Yorkshire as you wade through broken glass to find the sit start but once you pull on the moves are really tensiony, like the granite stuff I like. I ran out of steam before I could complete the send, falling on the last big move into the pocket jug, so I rekon ill try and get back up to Almscliff at some point to finish this one off. All in all a decent crag and no cow crap or a midge in site.
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