I am finally getting my head sorted! No, I'm not getting my brain surgically removed - I know that a lot of people would prefer that - I'm finally getting my head into gear with all this climbing really high stuff. Alex and I did a classic 7a+ the other day called "Surveiller et Punir" which I think pretty much did the trick. It was awesomely technical and fairly exposed - it got me into a better place with regards climbing 120m off the ground and today I certainly felt the difference on "Tom et je Ris" (8b+). We've had two... Continue reading

Hey Guys So we've been in Verdon now for two days. Alex (Barrows) and I had a crazy drive down filled with hours of endless motorway, lots of winding country roads and one very unfortunate encounter with French 16 year old chavs! I left on a train from Edinburgh one day after Me and Nats Yorkshire trip. I travelled down to meet up with Alex in Sheffield before driving down to France the next day. I have never driven such a long distance before, of course I did none ofnthe actual driving, but sitting in the passenger seat took a lot... Continue reading

This weekend was our last in plum jam lovers country. After a whole month of camping, I can tell you we are both looking forward to getting home for a bit of rest (even If it's only a day for me). After my successful ascent on "Zoolook" (8a), I turned my attention to another popular Malham classic, "GBH" (8a+). After having a bit of an epic on "Zoolook", I was a little worried as to how "GBH" would feel. I think though that our previous rest day did us some good as we weren't nearly as tired as when we where... Continue reading

The last few days have been very productive and exciting for me, as we come to the end of our trip to Yorkshire. Yesterday I ticked my project "Zoolook" 8a (just after Robbie - team ascent!) - a route which had taken a fair bit of patience to learn the sequence and cope with polished footholds! The route finally went down on our 3rd attempt of the day - something just seemed "right" and both of us focussed on doing the move rather than worrying about our feet slipping! Straight after ticking "Zoolook", Robbie put the clips in "GBH" 8a+ and... Continue reading

Since our last coaching trip, Nat and I have been pretty much knackered! All our energy, all our skin and all our motivation has dwindled and fallen away, we are empty shells of our former selves... I think a mixture of camping, cooking, climbing and coaching has drained us, without a car we can't get much new food, of which we've been running a little low recently (thanks to Dalvinder for the groceries) and sleeping in a tent has definitely taken it's wear on us. Anyway, enough moaning... I decided next to face a route that has looked good ever since... Continue reading