Within a few months of starting climbing I was sketching my way up the odd VS and bouldering at about 5a/b. Several years later I am leading the odd VS and bouldering at about 5c/6a! I've plateaued massively, preferring to stay at my comfortable limit (I'm steady on VS now) rather than risk failure on anything that requires a modicum of effort. I don't think my problem is technique or even strength, although I am pretty weak, it's a mental issue. I've hit a wall and need to try something a little different. To this end I am hoping this blog will help inspire me to push myself a little more, to try a little harder. After several months of very little climbing it's time to get active. I'm writing this at the start of my push to improve my grade, have a more adventurous attitude and hopefully achieve some of the goals I set myself when I first got into this game. I hope there'll eventually be some exciting exploits here for you to read about.
Bit of a double meaning to the post-name here anywho, here's a bit I wrote beginning of the year about some indoor antics :
I rarely go to climbing walls but hearing about the new bouldering centre in Middlesbrough I thought Id go check it out on the day it opened and I have to say, I was pretty impressed. Although it isn't particularly large there's a decent variety there with a few slabs and vertical sections and lots of overhangs. I have heard the number of routes has increased dramatically since my visit (one of my main criticisms) and I aren't too sure about the system they are using for the circuits and grading but the holds are rough as ya like and its a good height. If anything it felt a little too high but that's just me being a wuss.
In the weeks after visiting Middlesbrough I had the opportunity to go to a similar centre in Durham. This place is amazing. Loads of wall space, really high but with good mats, a coffee shop, music, I can't praise the place enough really, and it was very reasonably priced (cheaper than a first visit to boro!). The problems here are graded with V grades which I like, but with no technical grade. I was chuffed to flash some v3's and 4's but I would guess they're a little on the soft side.
Although I doubt I will become a regular wall user this was a bit of an eye opener for me, if I wasn't so skint all the time these would be excellent facilities for wet weather and evening training.
I'll have to get myself a fingerboard!
