Livin it large on the blocs!

I've been carrying on the bouldering front just lately, mainly because its quick and easy to bail if the weather craps out. Had an awesome session last weekend with Ted again, this time at Burbage South where I came super close to flashing Zorev, 7C only to fall slapping for the top. Managed to get it second go and my brother was standing by with the camera, so check the video below. We then carried on to tick Trellis, Electrical Storm, Attitude Inspector, and Iain's Roof. A pretty good day doing some classics in the sunshine!
I also did the cool bloc of Tetris a few weeks ago now, another one of the essential peak 7C's and something good to take from an otherwise wet day up at the Roaches!

Earlier today I headed to the Tor with Ed and met up with Dave and Zippy for a first sesh of the year at the place. I was pretty psyched to go on Ben's Roof, having never really put any proper time into it before, and Ed was interested in giving Keen Roof a blast with Mason.

After a good warm up and some banter I ticked Ben's, and Keen Roof wasn't far off getting an ascent from Edwardo, but something that will have to wait for another day. Very pleased to get this famous essential tick and feel the benefits of the training.

This weekend its all about the CWIF, and we are all looking forward to watching the finals on Sunday, along with a free burger... and hopefully getting out on the Saturday for some routes! There are going to be some big Wads in Sheffield and it'll be a cool few days hanging out with the crew, with lots of rock climbing!

Oh and I finally managed to upload the video of Gasper doing Thumbelina, take a look at the lad crushing.

Out

True Slovenia

So as I mentioned briefly in the previous post our super strong Slovenian friend, Gasper, spent the last week kicking it in the Peak with us geezers and learning what British climbing is all about, along with what us lot have to deal with on a daily basis.

Bearing in mind this guy climbed 8c when he was 15 we were all syked to see how he would get on! For his first ever 'trad' route he boshed out the highball E6/7 Thumbelina at Ina's Rock in the Churnet! Check out the pics, and I will upload some video when I get around to it.
It was an awesome day out with a big crew, and huge crush fest with us all sending this scary classic. Cornelius was up next just to the left, Dave led the way and soon found himself through the high crux and topping out. We'll be back to finish this off soon, that bloc is high!

Being mainly a sport climber, Pinti was especially excited about checking out the Tor, however we arrived and the place was soaked, but he was happy to have seen all the famous lines and to experience his first taste of fish and chips after!

We then took him out for a crash course in proper trad climbing on the grit. The guy turned out to be a natural and you would have hardly guessed he'd never placed a cam or nut in his life! Respect bro. See you again soon, hopefully for some hardcore euro style training in Slovenia! Peace

River of Life

Ed, Bailes and myself headed to try this problem the other week so here are a few shots that my sister LYDIA took of us getting involved. Cheers youth.
This last week we've had our good friend Gasper Pintar staying with us from Slovenia, its been awesome to see our true homie again and show him around the Peak. I'll get onto writing something about what we've been up to shortly.

Keeping it real

The cold weather and snowy conditions we'd all been wishing for all winter finally arrived but unfortunately didn't bring quite as many amazing days as hoped for! Nevertheless we've still all been getting out and digging deep! It can be hard to maintain motivation sometimes when every visit to try a route turns out to be dog weather, but you just have to learn to get on with it and be super patient because eventually it'll all come good. I've been getting stuck into the bouldering the last week or so and had a really good weekend sending some stuff on the lime! Most of the grit was pretty much out on Saturday so me and Ted ended up retreating to the grotty local toilet of Toms Cave to check out a few things. After warming up and a good brew I was able to get the fairly new problem of Hannibal (V9) done before heading for cake, tea and rugby with the Hamers. Sunday Ed joined us for a sesh at Stoney, a place I've not climbed at in years, and it turned out to be a brilliant call with most things bone! We must have ticked close to 30 odd problems between the three of us, mostly down to Teds excellent knowledge, nice one homie! Few 'highlights' included Power Allowance, Swing Thing, White Ladder and a total of four V10's for Ed! Good un youth.
Anyway check out some video from the weekend and the pics from Tom and Pete's birthday bash at Millstone, no idea how those guys found the psyche to tie on and get up that thing in those conditions, but waddage to them both for the effort!

Some blonde chic going for it on Masters

Banana man

Ted the Hannibal

Sending fest

Even though the weather still hasn't been too great we've still been getting out a lot just lately and managing to get stuff done. We took a trip to the Churnet last week with the Hamers and alongside getting pretty soaked we got a fair few classic things ticked. Sends included: Simple Simon 7B, Sam Sam Tan 7B+, Wrights Traverse 7B, High Speed Imp Act 7A, Martins Mono 7A, Fifty Pence Problem 7B, and a few other things.
Anyway I thought rather than write much more I would just post up a load of video that we've taken from the last week, so have a gander ya'll.
Seems like the UK is set to get pretty cold in the coming days, lets see what happens... Out

Sam enjoying the rain

This is what it's all about...

The cold, crisp conditions finally arrived at the weekend with Saturday ranking as probably one of the most memorable days on the grit ever. I was super syked to get involved and meet up with some crew from London along with beta master Ted at Stanage and hopefully take advantage of the perfect temps. First up was Stanage Without Oxygen, E5 6c which went down within half an hour and a route I was very stoked to top out on! Shortly after Ted joined us and we ventured off to the classic 7C, Brass Monkeys. I came close on the flash and dispatched it 3rd go, another wicked line ticked and in the bag!

Brass Monkeys

We decided to take a walk over to Big Air E6 6b, with the hope of giving it a blast if we could get syked for the leap of faith across the gully. After a couple of test jumps Ted showed the way and went for it, cranking his way to the top with a round of applause! I then found the psyche, dug deep and soon found myself topping out as well. Always wanted to do this old test piece and we even had the privilege of seeing Will make the the FA of the direct start! Big waddage for that man!

Going for it on Big Air! Cheers to Stu for this shot.

Further sends from the day included a flash of the 7A+ Help the Young, a team send of Captain Hook 7B, followed by Glass Hour and Help the Aged.

Ted boshing out Born Slappy

So in the end a truly sick day out with a really good crowd. Definitely have huge motivation for more! Big up goes out to my Dad for his belaying and to Ted for all his knowledge.

Finally would just like to send best wishes to a girl from the London party that fell and had to be air lifted out. Peace out and crank through it! X

J'adore l'escalade

Here is a quick video from Adam Bailes of us boshing out Mossatrocity at Grindleford last weekend. I do freaking love this problem and this compression style climbing! Nice one Bailes!



Also, I came across this sick video yesterday that has some pretty mental footage, nothing climbing related but check it out anyway.


More Surfing Videos

Peace ya'll, have a good weekend!