Team reunited at Sella

Our penultimate day threatened rain throughout, according to the forecasts. A fine and fairly local crag called Sella was in our sights. This was the second visit for some of the team, which didn't bother them: Sella is in a beautiful location, a selection of pretty crags and great lines all over. 

Dom and Callum opted for a second 'introduction' to multipitch climbing, while the rest of the team cranked out the moves on all sorts of single pitch routes beneath us.

Marion is another 'Top 50' route in the guidebook, which means it's a four star route (the most recommended a route can be). We'd been warned that it was terribly polished and may be tricky to get on at all.

The coaching and mileage must be paying off however, because Dom and Callum were straight off the ground.

This is the second pitch. What was surprising was the exposure on Marion. 'Exposure' in climbing terms refers to how much you feel the distance to the ground. This route wasn't particularly high, but it did feel like it and that's an important difference. Climbing is all about perceptions and your 'mental' approach to the challenge.

Callum looking cool and collected at the top of the second pitch.

 At the second belay.

This gives some perspective of the exposure by the top of the second pitch. The vehicle in the car park is looking smaller.

Dom cruising up the third pitch. She seemed completely unbothered by the environment, happily concentrating on working out the climbing moves.

Top of the route with the pretty valley of Sella and some of its other crags in the background.

 Time to descend back to the gang.

The requisite daily, self-imposed by Melissa, Dom and Douglas. Poor Dom: what you make yourself do huh!

 The leap took a bit of prep.

Post leap. apparently the water hole wasn't half as cold as our pool!