Ralph’s Place

Life’s fast, busy and doesn’t leave much time to myself… but damn it if a good party (with a good theme ;)) isn’t just the best way to forget about that and have a good laugh! Was in Notts last weekend for the UNUMC fresher’s party… a great (and drunken) time had by all I believe.

This weekend, more partying! Not so well planned this time, but Mr Mayer himself is coming to join the London Krew (yes, that’s Krew with a ‘K’ :P) for some drinkies, climbing and general larking about without many cares.

Other news… despite getting the internet at home I’m still too busy to blog. Literally away or busy every weekend, and evenings I get in, eat, “sort”, then collapse in bed. I’ll catch up soon lol!

Phone’s ringing… bonkers!

I want to go back! So much there I want to do. Last weeks “I’m back” enthusiasm may have been slightly premature, but based on this weekend I’m confidently leading Severe at least. No trouble with the one’s I did, and they were both brilliant routes! After 3 weeks climbing in the last 4, I’ve really got the itch back, and with more classic routes, HS and below at the Roaches than I can count that’s one place I know I need to go back to… I think a weekend will have to be planned in the new year

The routes:
Fern Crack (S 4b) - The 4b is for the boulder problem start, which is basically a small overhanging section (maybe 3 moves) on huge jugs. After this there are some nice moves to gain ledges then the finish around a green corner (unfortunatly a necessary finish to keep the grade at Severe). Worth both it’s *s for the first section though, awesome moves and protection almost literally everywhere if you want to place it.

Black and Tans (S 4a) - The very start is a bit green and getting around the big holly bush can be tricky but after that the crack to gain the belay ledge is great, and the move around the arete on the 2nd pitch (crux?) was delightful. Fairly unprotected in the upper section but all the holds - despite being mostly rounded - were huge and kept the climb “safe”. A great route at the grade.

All in all a great weekend, despite being exhausted for most of it lol.

In other news… has my blog become a route log?

So there’s a chance this might get some more attention… but then, I’m a busy man

Photos from climbing in the Peaks will go up after this weekend… might as well take the best shots from 2 weekends!

Bed time now, more later…

Wahey! Just had a fantastic weekend climbing in the Peak District, which - among other things - drew out signs of my confidence on rock beginning to return. Not getting carried away just yet though, still some way from a return to “old form”

Managed to get 2 awesome routes done over the weekend. Black Hawk Hell Crack (S 4a) at Stanage, an incredible route and a good starter for the weekend. The crux was tricky for someone my height, and this meant that Katharine had to come up with something “special” (read: ended up almost horizontal for some reason!) to reach the good hold.

On the Sunday a trip to Wharncliffe provoked me into having a go at Tower Face (HS 4b), one of the more achievable routes on my wish list at the moment (but still requiring a jump in current grade from VD/S to HS). The climb was just brilliant! First the unprotected start was a bit airy, then the first gear was thought provoking (thinking about a fall around the arete ripping it out sideways), and after that the moves required thought but were easy enough that they just felt great

Hopefully this means my head is on it’s way back, just got to keep it up I guess!