New year, same country

Before the borders closed, Douglas, Emily, Melissa and I opted for the sunny climes of the Lake District.

Looking down at the lovely ridge of 'Little Chamonix' at Shepherd's Crag

Emily & Douglas overcoming the difficulties of the top pitch of Little Chamonix

I have no idea what we were talking about, but it looks exciting....Food?

 Our motley crew

Douglas reaching the top of the tricky first pitch of Fishers Folly, Shepherd's Crag

 And Melissa at about the same point

Melissa lead climbs Kransic Crack Direct, still smiling...

 ....Concentrating on the steep section of Kransic Crack Direct

 Sunday breakfast in Langdale

 Emily, Douglas and Melissa on the second pitch of our Sunday route at White Ghyll Crag

Douglas nearing the top of the beautiful second pitch

 

Scottish Tooling Series grand finale!

Saturday, 14th December

You wouldn't know it from this photo, but the weather turned out to be fairly atrocious on Saturday in Aberdeen. It was more than a gentle breeze: ropes and crash mats had to be tied in place so as not to lose them! Like Anna here, not all of us had outdoor clothing but pulled up our socks, begged other people's supplies, and got on with it! 

Once again, James pulls out the figure fours, many in a row in fact. Nice Jacob's Ladder route thrashing in the wind in the backgorund.

Dry tooling routes are usually set predominantly on resin climbing holds, with a few 'novelty' routes made up of logs, chains and funky holds. At the very last minute the Scottish Tooling Series organisers were given only the outdoor area to set routes in. They did a great job of setting all sorts of imaginative routes, such as this set of chains to hook. Another route consisted of all sorts of bicycle parts linked together. They make for some strenuous moves, particularly as they whirl around in the wind!

After getting a warm drink and some food at the climbing centre, not many ventured outside again, but here's Douglas, post warming up, clocking up some more routes.

Melissa on the Finals route.

Melissa goes to battle with the log.

And the log eventually wins. Nevertheless, a great climb and first place for Melissa in the Junior Girls category, and a well deserved one too.

James made excellent, quick progress up the Finals route, particularly the log section.

Ally makes a stealthy (hard to spot him in this picture!) attempt at the Finals.

Tim on his way on the Finals route.

Tim cruising high on the route.

Tim makes the final few moves and wins first place in the Junior Boys category.

The team relax now that their trial is over and enjoy the adults struggle on their respective routes.

Front row champions: Tim Miller (J17 1st), Andrew Halliday, Sophie F. (J17 2nd), James Mortimer (J17 2nd), Melissa Sleigh (J17 1st), Ally MacGregor (J17 3rd), Douglas Sleigh.  

The Festival of Ice, Kinlochleven

Saturday, 2nd November 2013

Not the greatest of images from this event, but it certainly was an outstanding weekend. Sixty competitors from across the country competed on 15 problems and the competitors ranged from first time dry toolers to the professionals and downright talented. It was a treat to see the mix and, in particular, the finals route which had Andy Turner, Greg Boswell, Steve Johnstone and Harry Holmes. The Festival of Ice was in aid of 'CAC': Climbers Against Cancer and was brilliantly organised with route setting from Karen McIntyre and Kev Shields.  

 

James and Tim got back in to the indoor winter groove and competed in the Junior Male category. Congratulations James for your excellent first place.

The Festival of Ice

Scottish Tooling Series 2: Glenmore Lodge

Sunday, 8th December 2013

'Our' team: Sophie, Melissa, James, Tim, Ally, Emma and Douglas.

Please take heed of the very carefully chosen colours, team: even clothing, hardware and ropes are matched! 

Douglas courageously striking wobbling logs!

Start at the start.

Yey: James' training pays off: after constructing a contraption of ropes under the stairs, following protracted negotiations with his parents, James can now do ten figure fours in a row!

The fully initiated figure fourer.

Melissa completes a stealthy traversing boulder problem. Please note the tentative onlookers.

Serious inter problem team chats.

Even this pup is prepared - plaster on her left ear. Figure fours?

Tim climbing a complicated double board contraption hanging from the ceiling.

Tim still hanging from the contraption. Yup, that's the ceiling. Tim reached further than anyone else on this set up and after having gained full points on all the qualifying problems - great effort Tim.

Not one of 'ours', but a show of the awesome talents of the other categories.

Happy but probably sleepy team. See you next wekend for the Aberdeen grand finals.