Last sunday was a fingers up against pessimism day. I was desperate to go climbing this weekend. The weather report on Friday made Saturday look like a wash out, and a windy one at that. I was sure that Sunday was going to pan out there but there wasn’t going to be any rush as it was going to pretty wet in the morning but come the afternoon is was going to be OK.
Ken picked Pete up at the climbing wall, where he found Nottingham Uni writing the day of, even Derek raised an eyebrow to us venturing outside. The two of them then arrived at my house, where Ken still wasn’t convinced but I was going whatever. The drive to the roaches was in constant drizzle and when we parked up and made sure i packed two jackets just to be sure. But just as the weather report had said we were eating our lunch in bright autumn skies.
With no guidebook i launched myself at easy slab with an airy finish. Despite several attempts at the start (later in turned out to be E3 6a) i took a detour to get up the first bit, but despite the sunshine the going was a little greasy. With just one cam and not a great one either, I backed off. Pete then took up the reigns confirmed the going was a little damp but didnt bottle it like me, and battled on up.
By this time Ken was sunbathing, and the water was going down fast. We couldn’t believe how warm it was A quick blast up Pedestal Route and boulder on the blocks finished the day of nicely as the sun started to set.
You cant look back at a year and then moan at the bad weather, if you dont get out when you can. The sunset home was best i’ve seen in a long time.
Enjoy it while you can
Nick
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