NGB Weekend and Some Window Cleaning

Over the weekend I ran an SPA Assessment in the Peak.  A big congratulations to Lyndon, Lee, Nick and Tim who all put in a good performance to pass.  Good weather on the first day meant some nice routes got led, and despite overnight rain.  Dry weather on day 2 made for a less stressful affair.  Good news all round really.

Yesterday I was hanging off some high rises in Leeds cleaning a whole lot of windows.  Nice weather for the most part made it a pleasant day with some good tunes to keep me ticking over.  I will be back there tomorrow to finish off.

SPA Training

Over the weekend I ran an SPA Training course in the Peak.  It was an excellent course, with good input from a strong group of candidates.  The first day was spent at Stanage to cover the personal climbing aspects of the syllabus, before heading to the wall late afternoon/evening to cover using climbing walls and introducing some of the group work skills.

Day 2 was all about the group aspect of the syllabus.  We went to Lawerance Field and Millstone, which worked well as they are quite different venues with regards rigging.  A good weekend, with a lot of info shared.

I even managed a few easy routes after three weeks rest for my injured finger pulley.  It now time to work on strengthening it, with loads of easy routes etc.

Work and a Finger Injury

I have had a busy week, which started on Sunday when I ran the second day of an SPA training in the Peak.  A full day where we visited Lawrancefield and Milestone to cover all the group aspects of the award.

North Boulder, Honister Pass

Monday was the first day of the George Watson's College summer rock week in the Lakes.  As the weather was due to be mixed, it was key to make the most of each day.  We managed to climb 11 routes in Dalt Quarry in the afternoon when they arrived.  A great starting venue for half a day, with short technical routes on slate.  As the evening was good, we had a pretty full bouldering session on the Honister Pass boulders.  Problems were set from VB-V5 by the kids, and I managed to sneak in a few problems for myself, with a cheeky V6 flash being the best.

Chris pulling hard on the V5 Eliminate

Tuesday was totally Ming, so we ended up having a full day at Kendal Wall.  This was based around doing routes, and everyone managed to last well throughout the day.

The weather had improved massively for Wednesday, so we headed to Upper Swirl Crag on the West flanks of Helvellyn.  This turned out to be a good crag in an awesome setting, with Thirlmere in the background.  Here we climbed 10 routes ranging from HS-E3 on good rock, with varied climbing.  To make the most of the good weather, we had another evening hit on the Honister boulders which went well.

Unfortunately, Thursday was wet to start.  A left helmet at the wall meant it was not too bad to return for a morning boulder session, with the view to head out in the afternoon.  This worked well for everyone, except me.  I was taking it easy and warmed up well, but unfortunately tore a pulley on the last move of a 7b circuit.  Totally gutted, as it will probably cost me all my main goals for the year, but I am trying to focus on healing and staying as fit as possible.  Who knows, things might heal quicker than expected.  We did make it out to Badger Rock in Kentmere, for a quick afternoon boulder, before fish & chips and a movie in Ambleside.

Hamish sending a nippy V2

Gemma cruising

Friday took us all to the Bowderstone (gutted!!!) for a morning session before they made the journey back to Edinburgh.  Despite the hard nature of the problems here, most managed the V3 traverse and another easier problem.  Euan pulled it out the bag on his last shot to send a tricky V4.

Alan bringing out the Gun Show on the V3 Traverse

A nice way to wrap up a good, fully packed week.  Bring on Yorkshire again next year!