Bit of this & that

As for getting outside on the rock, well the weather again has been pretty unhelpful recently! When we’ve planned to head out its pissed it down and blown a tornado in, and when it’s been decent we’ve been busy doing something else! Quite a frustrating few weeks to be honest. But anyways we have managed a few ticks.

Last week I had a quick hit trip down to Nesscliffe, to have a couple of days climbing with globetrotting explorer Finn McCann. I hadn’t seen him in over a year as he’s been living in the jungles of Honduras and walking across the Greenland ice cap! Although he hadn’t tied into a rope for a year and had barely climbed at all in that time he was still as strong as ever and psyched to get back on the rock. So yeh we got a wicked E5 6b done, called Trouble in Toytown, which worked its way up an amazing corner. I also tried a couple of harder lines but they were just abit damp and green. Need to head back next summer! I also did the cool traverse Little Northumberland (V9), a great crimpy test piece.

Finn stetching out...

Top crux

Trouble in Toytown

Hey Pippa!

Since getting back, me and Ethan have been out a couple of times, ticking the savage crack climb Reticent Mass Murderer (E4/5 6b) up at Cratcliffe and a first visit to Hen Cloud where I managed to scare myself up the incredible Master of Reality (E6 6c).

Reality Success!!

Running it out...

Get that gear in!

Bored and cold!

Last but not least we have built an amazing new woody in our garage!! No excuses now hey, Gamba Gamba!!!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Raaaarrrr!

Board of Over Haddon!

Pinch dat shizz!

Churning Churnet...

So last weekend we headed up to Lakes to do a slide show presentation for the Fell & Rock Climbing Club, at a fancy hotel in Shapwells. It was all a bit unexpected but considering it was our first talk everything went pretty smoothly! We showed everyone some cool photographs and talked about some memorable routes and trips we had been on. Saturday morning we then headed over to check out the new Kendal climbing wall, which was having its opening do. The wall was awesome, very futuristic and definitely worth a look if you’re in the area.

Sunday we were back in the Peak’s, well actually Staffordshire were we headed over to check out the sandstone climbing of The Churnet. So, yeh we had a cracking day out with the first line to go down was the amazing The Pride (E6 6b). This ranks as one of the best routes we have ever done. An amazing solo through a steep roof and wall above. Ed stepped up first and cranked his way to the top, I then followed. What a gem! Next to go down was the Master’s edge of Staffordshire, Sole Survivor (E5 6b) in the dank quarry round the corner. This again was a wicked route up a steep arête, with fairly good gear and great moves the whole way. Was great finding these esoteric gem’s away from all the crowds! Last place on the visit was Wrights rock, which was brilliant bouldering venue with loads of steep, burly problems of all grades, all next door to each other. Did some cool lines such as Simple Simon(V8), Thumbs(V9), Wrights trav(V8), Bhodi(V7). This really was a class venue and one of the few places I’ve been to which got me psyched for bouldering! Keen to head back soon!



Scary V6
Simple Simon
Sole Survivor

The Pride!

the decent crux! Spicey times

South Side!

Have been out on the grit a few times this last week, with a couple of visits to Burbage South, sending the awesomely exposed Offspring (E5 6b) on the Cioch block and getting a team send of the notorious man eating, off-width that is GOLIATH (E4 5c). Well infact its not that bad and you can just layback it!! Unless your just plain wierd and like going deep!

Check out the video's too
Enjoy...

Sam Hamer,Spong from Alex Mason on Vimeo.

Silent Scream E7 6c from Wild Country on Vimeo.

Ethan discovering new Bloc's!

Autumn Update

Ed on Swonrn Enemy 8a
Ethan after the crux



Me!


Here's a quick update from what we've been up to over the last month since getting back from our summer roadtrip.

We've had a few sessions out on the limestone with the most noteworthy thing being our ascent's of JC's new route down in sleepey Dove Dale. Sworn Enemy must rank as one of the best 8a's in the Peak with some great moves through steep ground, on an amazing arch feature! Word up to JC for his vision in cleaning, bolting and sending this line.
Ed's also been ticking his way through the usual limstone boulder nasties down at Rubicon, Stoney and Nuda's. Hannibal V9 at Stoney and Dancing fish V11 at Rubicon being the 'favorites'...
Apart from that, just getting back into the training shizzzle.

Oh and I also spent the last 11 days out in the Horn of Africa visiting my dad in the amazing country of Eritrea and then the Sudan! Two incredible places with amazing beauty, history and culture. Check out all the photo's from the trip....

Yo!
Desert Tortoise chilling

Local welcome
Sudanese Desert

Hassai Mine

Port Sudan Airport

Our Ride!
Japanese Mine shaft
Asmara Lunch



Geo-Congress Meal