The past few months have
been busy! Some big changes have already happened and more are on the horizon.
First of all, and one of the
biggest changes for my climbing in the last year was deciding not to re-try for
the British Bouldering team. I really enjoyed being a part of the team and
loved having the opportunity to compete. Ultimately though, I felt I didn’t
have the time or drive to train in a way that would mean progressing further
with the world cups. It was a tricky decision but has been the right one and
has meant my climbing has changed quite a lot.
With less pressure (mainly
from myself) to train for comps I took a total break from training plans and
just went wherever climbing psyche took me. My ever-present route psyche won
out for a while and bouldering went on the back burner. This culminated in doing
my first 7c in the UK at raven tor (obscene toilet) and psyche levels were
high.
With a brief return to comps
in March I competed in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport)
competition for the last time. I came 3rd contributing to a 3rd
place for Sheffield uni overall. Another fun comp and I was happy with the
results.
One of the biggest changes
coming up is finishing uni. After 6 years studying in Sheffield I have really
been focussing on work this year and preparation for starting real work in
August. With a job lined up in Liverpool I am now into my last few months of
living in Sheffield which is a strange feeling. I’m psyched to check out some
of the North Wales rock though!
And finally, after my last
set of exams I managed to go on a last-minute trip to France and Spain for some
climbing and (attempted) surfing. First stop climbing-wise was Riglos. An
impressive crag but we were unprepared for the giant multipitch routes so would
have to visit again to make the most of it.
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| Riglos |
We also visited the amazing
Rodellar with its stunning lines and seriously steep routes. This was my first
trip there but I would definitely love to go back. It’s a beautiful area and we
were there at quite a quiet time. We only had a few days climbing so ended up
climbing 4 days on, which I never usually do. I spent a lot of the 3rd
day trying via viciosa, a bouldery 7c+. Although I was shattered, that night I couldn’t stop running through all the moves in my
head and I knew I had to try it again before we left.
The next morning my mind was
psyched and ready but I had no idea how much my body had left to give. After an
achy warm up and putting the clips in I was ready to go. It was a serious fight
to hang on but amazingly the moves stuck and I got to the top! It was a great
way to finish our time in Rodellar and so satisfying getting to the top of
something after such a fight. I hope I get to go back soon!
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| El Delphin (If only my pictures did the scenery justice!) |
