Proximity to the crags is one thing, but when its always raining you could be forgiven for asking yourself - whats so good about blummin Sheffield? Its the people, and its the climbing walls. Today, I tried to go actual rock climbing. You know, outside - as in, actually on the rocks themselves. It does feel a bit as though I have been locked in that corner of the climbing works for about three weeks, so when today started sunny I was excited. Dave the racist, Dylog, Garry, Sam and Lu all met for a warm up at the works. To say we were frothing would be an understatement. The car park was dry, the sky was clear - all signs were good.
As Dave and I crested Dore Moor the sky didnt look so perky. We parked up and could see Sam and Lu and persons unknown over at the nose. We started out towards North, but quickly turned back when some light rain started gusting in. As we reached them at the Nose the heavens opened. "The jobs fcuked", and so it was - back to the Climbing works. Proud new dad Cofield is greets us as we arrive, flexing his guns in the doorway, I hasten to congratulate him before Dylog, Garry and I set about some of the yellow problems. To my delight I seem to be climbing well (its all relative!) better than monday anyway, and I manage to flail up a couple I'd dropped then.
If ever I become a publican (not likely), the public house I run will be named "The Flailing man".
Adam, Worm and Sam phase in and out and its like actually having a team session outdoors. Thats what I like so much about climbing. Those days when everyone is out and you are climbing with a team. And thats what you get so perfectly in Sheffield. There are always people about to go climbing with, your options sometimes feel limitless, but sometimes you'll miss the trend or others will be out when your not. Its not that people in Sheff try particularly hard, but that its easy to be motivated when there are so many people around you going well.
I've had a good day today, and I didnt even go on the board! to cap it all, as I was winding down I got to climb with Rob Smith, Andy Reeve and even the mighty Bogginator.
1 comment:
Worth noting that the team thing in Sheffield and indeed elsewhere works well for 1. Bouldering (and maybe sport) and/or 2. Going to fairly familiar places. Trying to get enough syked people to do trad AND explore off the beaten track is a very different matter indeed.
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