Mental Clarification

After more work on my presentation this morning went climbing after lunch with Lorraine and Rich.

Decided from the off it was time I Lead Climbed some routes. Last time I lead a route on rock was ten years ago.

Found out half way up the first route that the rock at Markfield quarry isn't blessed with many places to put in protection (the metal wedges as in my pic). Only got one in at half height so a fall from the top would have meant hitting the ground! The climbing was easy with lots of holds so wasn't too much concern.

My second route was good and fairly short, then decided to finish with a fairly long route up a slab. There was a ledge a bit of the way up, which I climbed to quite quickly without putting any protection in. Then two good pieces at the ledge protected the next section, then there was nothing. Suddenly I felt rather exposed.

I managed to wiggle in the smallest metal wedge (the blipped one) in a very shallow crack. This is what most climbers would call "marginal" protection. If I fell, it would probably pull straight out. It was more for mental comfort than anything else.

As I climbed further, I started getting the jitters, it occyred to me that if I fell I'd hit the ledge below and possibly break both ankles. Hmm this is not the sort of thoughts to be having in my current position. With panic starting to rise I looked for alternative ways off the face, but they all looked more difficult than continuing.

After I few deep breaths and a little internal pep talk - "time to Man Up a bit! That climbing is well within your abilities, you're not going to fall so get on with it you wuss!"

Then with a clear, focussed head, I made the final bold moves to the top. (With only a small attack of disco knee!)

Climbing Rocks!

It makes you so focussed on what you are doing at that particular moment in time, it completely clears any other thoughts and worries from your mind.

A great day.