25 Aug 2015

WET WET WET!

For those that can't tell, I've only just recently started blogging and have been filling out this blog with previous post starting from earlier this year, but I have finally caught up with the most recent events. I also apologise for my poor English skills, but I hope everything is fairly understandable.

From the beginning, I knew the Autumn months were going to be a pain to find dry land on England to go outdoors for this challenge, so I decided that Wales would be a good idea... Enjoying the last trip to Portland, The Tribe (previously mentioned from Into the Drink) joined me for this months adventure. Unfortunately, Hayley, the mother figure of the group had an operation and couldn't join us this time but was joined my Emilie instead! Picking up Jeremy and Emilie from Edgeware, we begin the long supposed 4 hour trip to South Wales to meet up with Rebecca and her family where we'd be staying. Not realising that Emilie was bringing the extra boulder pad (thought Becca had it), the car was rather squished on the way up but still managed alright and making the journey in about 3hours! Picking Becca up from Starbucks and heading to her parent place we dump most of the gear off, plan our route out, pick up her brother and leave.

Dinas Rock was our place to go. Unfortunately, it had been raining the day before and although the guidebook said seepage, I didn't expect the whole roof to be dripping and have as what I can only describe as a layer of water stuck to it. Luckily, we came prepared with plenty of rags, chalk, brushes and socks - for those that have seen Adam Ondra's video of drying rock. Starting the day off struggling with the 5+ on the far left due to the conditions we then tried moving onto the 6a/6a+ in the middle of the roof. This we had to work on for a loooooonnnngggg time as after every minute all the holds would be soaking wet again, but nevertheless we carried on still trying to crush it! Eventually I managed to get the sequence right from the start, with all the holds being dry enough and managed not to catch my hand on the other parts of the rock that were dripping wet, getting to the top. For a 6a it was more of a 6c+ in the wet! Breaking for a little bit of food while the others carried on I had a quick gander at the 7a on the right which didn't look too bad. With only 5 attempts due to time I gave it a shot but failed, partially due to wetness and partially due to the end of the day after 4 hours of driving (1 hour to Dinas). Heading back to Becca's for some late night climbing videos, beer and a BBQ as well as planning for the next day.

 
Sunday. Rain. Lots of Rain. Unlikely anywhere will be dry and a long drive ahead, we stuff the car with everything and only just managing to fit it all in, we plan to climb at some indoor walls on the way back. Being Sunday, not many places had decent opening times so only managed two walls, TCA in Bristol and Reading climbing centre as they were on the way. Pretty fun short sessions of about and hour and a half at each we set off and nearing Edgeware, we make a rash decision to hit up XC in Hemel Hempstead that closes at 10pm. Jeremy and Emilie had to head home before hand though but Becca and I carried on with our Wall Crawl. Pretty tired and struggling our way up some 6b's we call it an end, with me trying to destroy myself on this 7b+ that I set in June - 2 falls which for me isn't that bad considering a long drive and 3 climbing sessions in a day (1 strength boulders and 2 enduro - done in the wrong order too).

 
A little rant before I finish up... For those people that drive on the motorway, can I make you aware that the LEFT lane is for normal driving while the other lanes are for OVERTAKING, not CRUISING. Once you have finished overtaking, please move into the most left lane that you can, so that other drivers can overtake and so that you don't cause traffic for others! One last bit, for lorry drivers, you're normally limited to 60mph, so please don't try and overtake the lorry in front as it will be a long struggling battle that'll also cause traffic. Thank you.

Anyway, shattered but back at home, resting and planning next trip. "Where?" You might ask... probably some Yorkshire Grit with Tom 'the Boss' and maybe a few other followers. Possibly even another Tribe trip. Who knows?

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