Last Sunday we had our second Mountain Club meet. Eleven pupils, Iain and I set off to Ratho - the biggest indoor wall in Europe and the site of many international climbing competitions.... It's also a quarry with a lid on!
Hannah boldly sets off on a warm-up lead climb.
I can't say it enough times: Ratho is enormous - the routes are much longer than other indoor venues. Some people find it quite intimidating to start with. This didn't seem to hold Hannah back.
Fresh from winning second place at the Climb Scotland Finals, Jack eyes up his next route. Hannah can be seen in the background - yup, that green dot - on the furthest left wall.
Jack leads on the 'comp' wall (climber in black clothing on the right). This wall is articulated - the top half can be tilted even further over to make it steeper still.
Blythe practises her lead belaying on Jack.
Blythe gets ready for a rematch!
Very recently, Blythe attempted this route and was spat off on the top, steepest section.
It's hard to get your head around how steep this route is.
Blythe makes it to the top hold! Meanwhile, Jack, Elliot and Marcus are trying their hands at 'speed climbing'. Two identical routes are set side-by-side with a clock on them both. This is a whole different style of climbing - huge, dynamic moves which look fluid and monkey-like.
It's hard to get a photo of Alix. She always seems to be moving fast, and usually laughing a lot!
Iain, Findlay, Ruaraidh and Jamie (a brand new one to our club and climbing) attempt a traverse challenge beneath the huge, corner overhangs.
Jack attempts an arrete route.
This boy has power!
It's essential to 'demo' (well, it's hard not to surrounded by all these lovely routes)! Okay, I just wanted a little go.
Climbing is serious!
Jack progressing well on his arrete route.
Aisha boshing out a steep route after a sleepy start. This girl can! This also marks the completion of Aisha's Nicas Level 4. The NICAS and NIBAS Awards can be undertaken by any of our climbers. For more details, look here.
This is the tallest wall at Ratho - the routes are thirty metres or so. At the top, looking down, your belayer looks so small.
This gives a little perspective, and she's not even at the top.
Hannah and Elliot have fun on the central boulders.
Elliot is another one who is hard to get a focused photo of!
One...
Two...
Three...
Three!
Alix, Hannah and Elliot cruise on the mega overhang.
Bouldering is most definitely a sociable activity.
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