Brim Ham-fisted

What is it about Brimham that seems to act as something of a reset switch? I have previously lamented how several years worth of climbing experience once opened a session at Brimham with little better than standing and butting our chests against the various walls, and tonight was little better. I blame how much I'd eaten today - I'd been at my parents' place, where food isn't backwards about coming forwards.

I was the last - of Rob, Al (good to see him out on the rock, it's been a while since I'd seen him climbing at all), Sammy, Rob and Dave - to turn up at the Pommel area, and the various problems - probably all named 'Easy arete', 'Uncomplicated roof' or similar - did nothing but vex me for quite some time. And these were all problems that I'd climbed before. The first to fall - other than me, several times, though gently (at first...) - was the classic arete in the small quad-like area, and that by unconventional methods... Which I suppose could be a good thing! Next up was a session on - yes - Easy Boulder with Al and (big) Rob. Took a few attempts, but a couple of problems went in the end. Small Roof was last in this area, another one I'd done before but had some trouble with. Everyone seemed to have their own method, and it took some moves for me to find mine - left foot high in the big break to set up for right foot on the little hook on the arete. Nearly lost it as I gained the groove on the top, but held on and finished, less gracefully that I have in the past. But I'd needed to do it, so I was more than content, and laden with some fine rock rash as a trophy.

We all moved then to the Cubic Block area. There's a problem to the left of Cubic Block that I'd wanted to try, but I wasn't feeling it at first, so went to play on the big traverse and the mantle opposite. Tried too hard on that last one, and had a couple of bad falls on to my ankle - I felt it twinge, and any further would have been a full-on twist, so I took a rest. But not for long enough, as I tried-too-hard it again, and fell again. Well, that was enough of that. It seemed that the smallest of moves up the crag had knocked the wind out of pretty much all of our sails, and we soon wrapped things up.

So, no ticks, unless you count overcoming those barriers you place in your own way. And frankly, as I always say, it all counts.

Al on Cubic Block traverse.

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Cool for May

I was alone on Swastika Stones for 10.30 it was grey but dry. A smeary arête  started proceedings. It was manky on top so I gave it a good clean. I wrestled with it for a bit, my right foot breaking away time and again. Third go and I got the top, my feet slipping on lichen as I rocked tenuously on to the top heart in mouth, grand, Hard for Yorkshire grits V0 more like V2 I reckon.

Next up the smooth tease of Christmas Day arête, which had beaten me on a bitter February when heat and light were thin on the ground. Today was warmer. You pull on, step up on to an edge and throw for the top all in one easy, silky movement, well that's the plan. Timing is all, and fourth go I latched the top. I threw a leg over the top as my calf cramped solid. I managed to hang on and wait for the muscle to free up and topped out. Happy with that. So two more arêtes to add to my collection.

I was over in Ilkley today because I had been asked to be in some photographs for the new grit guide after Adi Gill and Robin Nicholson took a shine to my review of the first volume. Disappointingly rain was now falling and the forecast looked grim.

I drove up to the Cow and Calf in the now steady  rain. I was just getting into my excellent bacon butty from the grumpy man in the cafe, when Stuart and then Robin guidebook guru and photographer Mike all wandered over to say hello.

We cursed the weather decided to abort mission and sat around getting wet. We nattered, the sun came out, things dried and before I knew it we were back on again. Soon I was racking up for S crack in a cold and windy quarry, with Stuart holding the rope. I was good for the "tricky" start and to the halfway ledge then my lack of any trad stamina in the recent past took its toll and I had a proper punter's pump on. It was bitter and my fingers were present but I couldn't feel them at all.

Suffice to say Mike provided soothing words from his rope and got me to a point were he could get some decent shots for the guide, before the rain really came down and I made a quick get away.

All in all a good, if strange day out, thanks everyone.

Christmas Day Arete

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Sunset Supermen (That's us)

Okay, I know, I know. Last night would have been better, weather-wise at least. Well, I couldn't make last night, I had to go and see my family. I'm as frustrated as anyone at myriad enjoyable things getting in the way of each other, but I hadn't seen them in a while, so it had to be done (because I wanted to do it).

So it had to be tonight. And you know what? It was okay. Sure, it started off windy, but we found sufficient nook and cranny based climbs to keep us going - or just got on with it despite the wind. Roll call: me, Bryn, John, Sammy, Rob, Rob, Chris, and Stella. Stella is Chris's dog. Stella is great fun, and makes for a fine mascot. If we threw a stick up a problem, she could probably out-climb us as well. Anyway, the wind affected my first climb, the finger pocket on the warm-up wall - I was conscious that John (who hasn't climbed outside in a while) was climbing just to my right, so when my hat started to blow in that direction I had to pluck it from the air - yes, mid-climb - and then throw it to the ground. All pretty much done in automatic mode, and I'm sure I would have just let the hat fly away if catching it had meant falling.

Next up was more Hanging Rib, and the series of problems to its right. I got as far as I had done the other day, which - by the by - is about the same distance Rob got, so it's a fair standard. The height is the issue - were the key move lower down, it would be well worth a go, but much more is at stake up there. Chris was the hero tonight, though he did have a sidekick of sorts - his knee. I'm sure he'll eliminate that next time...

Morrell's. All the mats were down, and everyone crowded round. Only Rob ticked it (not his first time) but we saw a bold move from Chris, some definite progress from Bryn, and solid attempts from everyone else on their first sessions at this particular problem. As for myself, I got the first crimp a couple of times, got my right foot up at least once, and briefly had my right had free to move for the second crimp (though it didn't reach). Definitely my best efforts this year, helped by modifying the start in a pragmatic fashion - breaking up the starting moves slightly in order to make them a little smoother, rather than trying to do all the reaching at once and end up flapping around.

Rob is not actually climbing air here. Though I wouldn't put it past him.

Morrell's Wall sheltered us from the elements, and by the time we emerged they had more or less calmed down entirely, delivering a splendid sunset, appropriate lighting for our Herculean endeavours. We ended proceedings with a play around boulder 10, Sloper Patrol and Low Man Slab. Lots to dabble with for everyone, though nothing especially radical - just a nice warm down with a delightful view of the twilight sky.

And from here, a busy schedule - The Depot on Friday night for the last night of their bouldering league. Dave has some sort of climb lined up for Sunday. And there could well be more than one night to climb on next week, due to schedule clashes and the like. Personally, I could do with some Brimham...

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Alm's way/Bridestoned

Almscliffe has seen a few smaller visits recently, but tonight I had a mind to stay close to Morrell's Wall, to really session it. The unlogged visits over the last few weeks turned up some reasonable results - no new ticks, but a good return to grit after the indoor season, and notably the problems were seeming easier. Had a bit more time and light to play with this evening, so tried to play a little longer. Bryn, Cosmo and Hebe were along for the ride, with James and Louis following. Most of the problems just above Morrell's went easily, with only the Postman proving awkward - can never seem to get comfortable with hanging my right arm on the top, making the next move for the hold on the corner a sketchy one - and one that I used my right arm for this time, almost resulting in a barn door.

Anyway, some play near Hanging Rib. Ticked the overhang just opposite - from a standing start, sit start to be considered later - after several efforts. Not the slickest, particularly getting over the hang, but pleasing all the same. Hanging Rib itself then got some attention, as we encouraged a random boulderer through it and dabbled ourselves, getting pleasingly close to the crux move - it was at this point that James showed up and flashed it, and then Louis showed up and flashed it. Too good, too good.

That said, I felt I got closer on Hanging Rib than I eventually did on Morrell's, which I seem to have gone backwards on since last year, barely managing to reach the first side-crimp, and having to do more to get there. I'd really like to see it go, so I guess I just need to keep working at it.

Just below my main tick of the night, at this stage being attempted by Louis and James. A harder version for them though.

In other catch up news, there was an opportunistic visit to the Bridestones on the North Yorkshire Moors recently, Bryn and I ducking out of our stay at the British Juggling Convention that was held in nearby Pickering. We got a good day for it, weather wise, and a good companion in Robinson, a juggler we know from the scene. We made the most of the first rock, Bryn spotting overhangs, pockets, lay-offs and rockovers all around it - this was my second visit, so it was good to have Bryn's eyes along this time. The rockover was the highlight - it had a slight overhang element to it, as well as some mantling. I think I may have been more or less balanced on left hand and right foot at one point, experience that could come in handy for the back of the Virgin, direct version, at Almscliffe, one of the last projects we started working on at the end of last year, and not one we've returned to yet...

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3 aretes, 2 woods, 1 punter

Raining as I get to Pately, bugger the weatherman said dry until 3. I drive up to the Nought Bank boulders on Guisecliff's west end and wander down to them. I realise I have left my phone at home or dropped it walking in, no pictures then. Its a strange dry rain, its failing from the sky, its wetting me but the rock stays magically dry.

Maybe the bitter wind is blowing the rain away? I sort out a few warm up problems but don't have the stomach for some of the bigger and harder problems as the rock, though good, is pretty green and scrittley, not many have passed this way for a bit and I'm cold in the wind.

Off up to the folly and into the woods in search of some promised north facing jungle delights. I blunder around for a bit. With no phone Yorkshire Grit is offline and the new guide has decided to omit most of the boulders in the wood for reasons unknown. Eventually I stumble across the Mop Top Block its bilberry haircut making it easy to identify.

Its maybe 12 foot high and has a perfect sharp, clean arete with a flat landing, at one corner. The arete goes from both sides. The right side of it succumbs first with a little low cunning and a thin crimp. The descent is memorable, you hang from a handful of the bilberry "hair" and drop back to the jungle floor all a bit Indiana Jones.

The Left side of the Arete I thought was one harder, with a pretty powerful move to get your foot up before throwing for the top, but it was just as good. Worth the bushwacking for these two alone.

I headed on into the wood in search of A Little Sparkle.  Andy Crome's genius problem from a few years back which seems to get a lot of love from those that know it. An impending slab with one real hold on it and a dyno for glory. I found it, cleaned it and had a few pulls but I couldn't get my feet high enough to go for the dyno, one to go back for.

It was raining harder now, the dry rain turning wet, I headed back to the car. I drove out, as I got to Summerbridge the ground was dry again so I headed up to Brimham. I tried a few things on Joker's Wall but it was to steep for me. I wandered up to the the Blacksmith and had a go at Swing Arete a flake/arete/scoop thing that is balancey and thin for the feet. I have tried it a few times in the last couple of years. Today third go with magic dry rain falling around me. I bridged and slapped for the top and it held. The new guide reckons 6c which seems generous, but it seems hard for Yorkshire Grit's 6a, 6a+ seems about right.

I was supposed to bothering Whisky Galore but was feeling tired and was supposed to be on call if the kids got into bother at their Nan's. So I headed back, to find my phone on charge where I had left it. Not by any means a bad day out in the wind and the dry rain.

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Bob's Otley Bastard Wall

Caley late in the grit season, no bracken yet but its coming. James arrives, in the playground we play. Chicken Heads are bitten off directly. On New Jerusalem the sloper is hung, the gaston fondled but no further. King Louis and Dave arrive bringing the newly acquired secret of man's red fire with them.

Otley wall on the last burn of the evening King Louis finds a foothold and he's soon topping out. The rest of us are shrugged off due to short necks and poor technique. A brute of a roof provides some sport and Louis and James have the grunt for a low start.

Finally King Louis flashes Bob's Bastard using some weird sideways guerilla move. Off he burns into the gathering dark.

All together now.

Now I'm the king of the swingers

Oh, the jungle VIP

I've reached the top and had to stop

And that's what botherin' me

I wanna be a man, mancub

And stroll right into town

And be just like the other men

I'm tired of monkeyin' around!

Oh, oobee doo

I wanna be like you

I wanna walk like you

Talk like you, too

You'll see it's true

An ape like me

Can learn to be humen too

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Only the crumbliest, flakiest gritstone

We get spoiled living in the midst of a gritstone paradise- sure, the well-worn holds of Almscliff can get pretty polished, but you don't have to go far to find sticky, gritty rock- just try more than an hour on Lord's Seat without getting full-hand exfoliation. However, start to head east and things start to get sandy. Last week we had been out on the North York Moors on the Bridestones, and at times had wondered if we should have brought a bucket, spade, and a deckchair. But you don't have to go that far to feel the sand between your fingers- closer to home lie the Spofforth Pinnacles. I've been a few times before, mostly on a lunch break when I've been driving past. Their location on the Harrogate bypass makes them very easy to get to, and the walk in from the layby takes only a few minutes. It's also a very pleasant spot, especially when the sun is shining. So it was a no-brainer when Louis, who was supporting the troops at the nearby Yorkshire Warrior event, suggested meeting up to enjoy a fine Spring afternoon.

Josie ponders the sit start.

Spofforth offers a wide variety of shapes of rock, but it's unlikely you'll want to climb all of them. Many are too crumbly, too dirty, or too easy. However, some of the free-standing rocks offer the best climbing. We started on Scoop Block, easily identified in the centre of the field by looking like someone has just scooped a big dollop of sandy ice cream out of one side. Apparently the scoop goes at 7a, but it would involve bridging and smearing up a wall that looks particularly unsmeary! Louis quickly got stuck into either side of the scoop though, which go at much lower grades. They too, however, offer their challenges being both high and rather sketchy. Both Cosmo and myself started with a more sedate play around elsewhere- Cosmo loving the stepped arete to the right, and myself finding a nice 4b (?) on the opposite side. We then moved on to Green Wall around the corner from the scoop, working up slopey breaks to a top out that got the adrenaline going- it's been a while since I'd got that buzz from being high up and slightly tenuous. Louis got tempted across to the a neighbouring scooped out roof for a quick mantle, ably assisted by Dave's dog Josie.

Cosmo tops out Tower Block arete.

We finished the session by heading over to Tower Block, probably the largest rock on offer, and certainly the best preserved. The wall as you approach is striped with diagonal breaks and riddled with lovely bullet-hole pockets, and last year I had managed to get stuck at the top out of the centre of the wall for what seemed like an eternity. This time, we moved onto the right arete of the face instead, which offers lovely climbing all the way up and a cracker of a jug at the top. Louis tried the direct ascent, which proved a bit too physical, and Cosmo and myself took a less strenuous approach. We found a lovely route to the right, with a nice layback start, before heading back round the corner.The centre of the wall remained unclaimed, and Louis headed up only to find the top as unpleasant and sketchy as I had done. Unlike me, however, he managed the retreat a lot faster, and we decided to call it a day.


Had we climbed this sunny Saturday at Almscliff I imagine we would have shared it with a few dozen others at least, and it was nice to enjoy some peace and quiet instead. The only other sign of visitors were some offerings that had been left dotted around- donations of cash left to keep the spirits of the rocks happy? The rocks are often the site of more bloody sacrifices, where birds of prey leave the remains of their dinner, so getting rid of your small change seems a much more tasteful way to pay respects. We left the cash, along with a few chalk marks, and plan to come back to see if there is a return on our investments.

Pagan crucifix cash converter?

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Sypeland - This contest is set for one fall...

Given the time off that a number of us had over the Easter weekend, a new crag was hard to resist. James and Louis were first off the mark, and I found James' car a bit further away from the crag than the parking guide on Yorkshire Grit might have suggested, and with good reason...

That's the supposed access road on the right.

Heck of a walk-in. The crag was visible from quite a distance, but it took a lot of time and effort to get it to appear closer. When I veered from the farm track, over banks of drifted snow, I found two sets of footprints to follow. A call from Louis confirmed these were correct, and I spent a while tracking them along the crag. Many of the rocks appeared somewhat snowed in, and I frequently fell through snow that James and Louis had evidently walked over. I caught up with them at the far end of the crag, where they had barely started climbing.

Almost straight away, we moved to the next rock back along. I was too cold to get involved with a slight overhang that was exposed to the wind, but moving around the rock and out of the wind looked more favourable. James and Louis had a play while I sat on a nearby rock to put my climbing shoes on. Here's a bit of a look at what we were dealing with:

James, several feet off the ground.

The mat there was sitting atop a wave of snow, changing the nature of the problem a little. When it came to my turn, the cold was affecting my ability to hold the breaks. Basically, I just didn't make sure of things as I should have done. As a result, I fell. I bounced off the mat (right, as we're looking at the photo) and down a bank of snow. I seemed to land on my feet, but the impact caused me to shift my weight, and I fell again, right onto the same rock I'd been sitting on moments earlier. Fortunately, I landed on something soft - my right buttock. I could tell straight away that there was no serious injury, but I did begin to feel somewhat sorry for myself. I sent Louis and James on to the next rock while I took a moment to recover. I caught up with them, but called time on my presence straight away - with the wind and cold, the excess of snow around the boulders, and my painful buttock, I just wasn't getting the experience I wanted. And off I went, trudging a more direct path back through the snow.

So, not even one problem climbed. Why still blog? Because it was my first time there, because we gave it a go, and because it looked as though there could be some worthwhile rock there. Like Widdop before it, Sypeland will be one for a summer's day.

When it's not like this.

More photos here.

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Slipstones Quest - Intercommunal Climbing

I know Mr Prince has already posted, but I've resolved to myself to blog as much as possible, and this is the place for outdoor climbing, so here I am. I haven't read Dave's post yet, so as not to colour what I write, but I'll probably try to put my own slant on things.

The day began with a logistical farce - Louis had apparently recently drunk all of the alcohol, and was having difficulty stirring from his slumber. James and I were at Bryn's by this point, and although it looked like we would need to go in two cars - Bryn would need to get back to walk the dogs, and James would want to stay till the bitter end - we decided to wait for Lou. And wait. And wait... Eventually, I sent Bryn and James on while I carried on waiting. Louis arrived soon after, and we hit the road. All that, and we ended up beating Bryn and James to the crag - road layout changes on the A1 vexing Bryn. Fortunately they weren't too far behind, and the four of us took on the not insubstantial walk-in together (ante upped by snow, but still far warmer than recently at Widdop).

We found Dave already at the rock, along with Pete and Kirsty. Whilst we are (Facebook group) 'Communal Climbing - Yorkshire', Pete and Kirsty are from 'Yorkshire Climbers with a day off', so collaboration was order of the day. And whilst it was very pleasing to have such a delightful secluded crag away from the bank holiday public, it's good to share climbing with like minded people, and Pete and Kirsty certainly fitted that bill.

Not Pete or Kirsty

The climbing began with an attempt on a flake that I'd failed to get on our last visit - likely some three years ago. Today, it still proved a challenge, but it pleasingly went easily enough, setting a good tone for the day. Bryn and I found a little slab to play on while the others went at something beyond our level, but we soon hooked up again for some action on Tea Party Slab. Lots of options here - an enjoyable face at the left hand end, with a lovely flake/mantle in the middle; a huge ledge to mantle and stand up for the top; a smaller ledge immediately to the right; and a series of  problems with tiny holds as the only options. I got the face - which I believe I did achieve on the last visit, but which felt much more comfortable this time - and the two ledges. The large ledge was a doddle - I even stopped there for pasty and tea - but it was the small ledge that was most rewarding, needing some big use of some tiny holds in order to stand up for the top - I may well have been pulling myself up by my fingernails.

Around this time, Pete and Kirsty moved on, with Bryn and Dave following soon after. This left me, Louis and James. And although Slipstones catches the sun all day, it hadn't done enough to remove the snows, which created issues at the bases of many a problem - and was beginning to take its toll on our toes. I struggled to keep up with Louis and James, but pointedly I did mostly try to do so, save for a moment where I left them to it and went back to the first flake in order to duplicate it, which I managed. The highlight of this stage of the session was a monster roof problem, tucked up at the top of the crag. A short slab led to a gap before the roof loomed out, and I followed James and Louis' attempts with some fine encouragement and pointers from them, James below and Louis above, Louis in particular letting me know how far off a move I was. James, meanwhile noted that a rather large section of the shelf on the bottom of the roof had moved when I smeared off it - a fraction off falling away, apparently. I was already in a mantle by then, so I like to think I would have been okay... Anyway...The lowlight was... well, it was the cold toes, but climb wise it was a high arête which frustrated me by refusing to let me get started, and teased me with quality looking holds higher up. Ah well, an excuse to go back...

The roof in question. Wobbles not visible.

The pub beckoned - we were near Masham, after all - and the three of us tackled a slightly different version of the walk-out, the prospect of my rather warm car being all sorts of appealing...

Full photo set here.

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Good Friday

Slipstones, the clue is in the name, more like font than grit I reckon. Helps if your strong with good core strength, I posses neither. Walked in as an advance guard this morning sombre, grey, cold . Pete and Kirsty beat me to it. Pete sorting Davies Ramp with little effort. The rest of the team arrive in a variety of footwear some suitable for wet, shin deep snow.

We hang a sloper on Supple Wall but I cling there like chad "what no progress." Louis sorts out the left finish to Slanting Flake  with his gallon drunk head on, Pete gets bitten in the finger. We skulk beneath Sulky Little Boys and it laughs at us, "come back when your stronger little boys." It hisses.

Tea party slab loves us more, A Question of Balance is just that, thin crimpy and excellent. We fill our boots. The Right Edge seems thinner and just as crimpy, it goes if you pull hard enough.

Bryn and Stu take the slabs name to heart and picnic at Hanging Rock.

Finally Micro Corner which nearly succumbs but shrugs us off. We cannot summon the power to lock out and up, so I shuffle off home leaving James and Louis cursing and trying and cursing and trying.

Slipstones then, nothing given away but if you keep coming so will the results. Just don't expect any favours. Remember your not from round these parts, were tough round here.

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Interesting Times

The day started with a drive to Bingley to take the Boys to their Nanas. The road is closed near Dick Hudson's, had to divert via the Glen, all good until a huge drift is blocking the road. A few folks with shovels dig it out and through we go, the boys awarding adventure points left and right.


On the way back in the same place, I meet an in situ VW golf  resting on a bed of compacted snow. Another 4 x 4 arrives and in stinging arctic spindrift we get a strap on it and try and tow it back. It won't budge.

I strap my truck to the first 4 X 4 and add to the tug of war and out it comes inch by inch. I'm just about to go through the gap when another black VW golf goes and gets stuck in the exact same spot. I curse internally, then try and fake a smile. I get a rope on the car as the driver can't open the doors as the drift is too high. He too is dragged out. Time to Caley from my house via Bingley, 3 hours quite good fun though.

I wander into Caley by the roadside kicking steps in the knee deep snow. Everything is plastered the only thing in anything like condition is Forked Lightning Crack but the top has a huge wet streak running down. I wander up to the Crag, well you never know,

Not much doing here, all plastered and then that low overhanging wall on the back of Suckers Wall is dry except for a layer of snow on the top. I brush some snow off from the lip and hope the sun will dry  it, then  have a coffee and watch the sun nearly break through.

The moves off the sit start are thin, crimpy. I have tried it a few times in the past never getting off the ground. Today with super cold friction I can pull on it. After a few goes I can hold the second oh so thin crimp, if that is I keep moving through the first move.

Next I suss a sequence for my feet and start to try and link it all. A few goes no good. Finally I get the link and slap for the top and it sticks and I have no choice but to mantle in to the snow, should have brushed more snow off I think as my face goes in. I roll onto the top adrenaline pumping and all the nerve endings in my upper body screaming as the snow sucks the heat out of me. I laugh like an idiot and jump off into a drift. Cold now, time to get home, marvellous.

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Morrell Values

After some playful dalliances last year, work has now started in earnest on Morrell's Wall at Almscliff. I'd had it earmarked on my to do list for a while, but felt this was going to be the year for it to fall.

I've just been up for a fun little session with Dean and Louis, and with some good tips, and a bit of fiddling about, I've established myself comfortably on crimp A. Next step is going to be a bit of fancy footwork, crimp B, and it will be mine. That is all.

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Widdop - Full version available for download soon

Downloaded 'Widdop - Trial Edition' today. 3.5GB download, took about an hour before it was ready to boot up. Once it was loaded, Bryn and I signed into a two-player session - mostly cooperative, perhaps a hint of competitive. First impressions - the graphics engine was superb:

Excellent lighting.

Some trial versions limit the area you have access to, or only give you a limited timespan. Widdop Trial Edition locks certain environment variables and user settings down - the realtime weather system is set only to 'Arctic', with no option to access the 'Tropical' or 'Mediterranean' settings. While this served to show off the physics engine to its best, it also reduced access to certain challenges that would otherwise have been available. And since players are unable to level-up their characters, basic extremities were the only ones available, with the super-heated models off the table. I've since heard a rumour that these have actually been removed from the full game, leaving players at the mercy of ambient conditions - this is an outrage, and this isn't the last you'll hear of it from me.

Still, Bryn and I ran through the game's tutorial, which allowed us to get to grips with the physics:

However, we suffered a data bottleneck which lost us control of our character's extremity units, meaning we needed to try to reinstall them for our players. Bryn attempted to install a patch - CoffeeV1.1 - to boost his character, but the weather variables somehow seemed to become more extreme - possibly a time limit, stealthily introduced? Despite only having completed a part of the tutorial, our players' energy bars were drained - game over.

All in all, it was worth giving Widdop TE a go, and I look forward to accessing the full version at some point this year. Apparently the full version will be able to support more players, so it'll be good to see if a number of our clan can get online access at once.

Not wanting to log off entirely, Bryn and I ran the simulator/training package 'Harrogate Wall'. A handy little app with a decent soundtrack, but lacking the far greater interactivity, feature sets, physics and graphics of programs such as 'Almscliffe', 'Brimham' or 'Caley'.

All data logged on Bryn's cycle initiation date, version 41.

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Constant repetition brings rewards - Getting the Horn

Cold and crisp, wind from the East, snow flurries. I went running with Rachael this morning. I had nearly warmed up after half an hour. Round five at Harrogate wall is on, but what if its good at Caley?

James answers my post on Facebook and then there are no excuses. By one the snow has stopped, I'm warming up in the playground. James arrives with youth and enthusiasm, he will do for me. We sort out the thin playground traverse which is getting some sun.

Bob's Bastard next, James has been wrestling with it for a bit, but first go he got on it, turned his hand to throw some weight over the slab and he was good, nicely. I finally got the pocket with some beta from James, nearly sent it but couldn't quite get my weight over my feet, best go by far though.

Next down to Low Pebble wall a steep slab all crystals and smears. James sorts the start move, I add a step up and then we are both at the point where jumping off gets a little more serious. Next go and I have two pockets both taking the ends of two fingers and about a metre more to the top. I work my feet, get a poor half pocket for my right hand and know when I take my hand off and go for the top, I will be falling and trying to spot a good landing. I mutter "catch me" then the hand comes off and there I stay, slap the lip and its done. Chuffed, a rare moment of commitment.

James gives it best and we have a go on New Jersualem. We are both getting the Gaston with today's super friction but neither of us do a lot with it. Finally we try some painful jamming on Cruel Crack but jamming this vicious needs a warmer day I reckon, nice problem though.

James has to be at work at 3.30, so he heads off and I take the well worn path up to the Horn. Its looks green, it isn't its dry as a bedouin's water butt. I recognise my chalk marks from my last few sessions, this isn't funny anymore, this needs to be done. I strip off socks and thermals, coats and chalk bag and all my pocket change, then its starts to snow.

Hands touch, first go, nearly get the pocket but off, didn't squeak my boots, "punter".

Second go clean boots, got the pocket, got the sloper, feet up, sod it lets throw for the top. Arms extend, whoosh, done, massive jug, easy. What was all the fuss about? Benchmark V4. Life back, off hold.

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