I promised someone I would 'blog' my travels. Blog? What is this thing? Why would anyone want to read an online journal? Aren't journals meant to be your deepest darkest secrets? Where you bring up your innermost feelings about everything and everyone. And therefore, if someone were to 'accidently' stumble upon this journal, they experience the thrill of reading about the authors..lets say..5 lives? Yet- with an online journal- you know people will read it, so you only say what you want people to know? Where's the fun in that?!
But anyway! Let's try my first ever blog!
So I have been spending the last year and a half frantically trying to save money- juggling three jobs (sometimes 4). Watching fat people drown in pools. Little kids poo in water. Helping my favourite 96 yr old lady go for walks in the sunshine. Instructing corporate middle aged people to run up the stairs 10 times then do 10 push ups. Then have a coffee with them...lots of fun. Waking up at 5am. Doing the work thing, then maybe socialising a bit. Then maybe doing a bit of a boulder. Or a swim. Or some running. All in hope of getting euro strong.
It's all pretty exciting. I never thought I would be able to climb the stuff I have recently. I suppose it all started a year and a half ago in New Zealand. When I tagged along with some strong men from Melbourne. I thought to myself, I've just spent the whole year studying for my final year of uni, been outdoors twice, indoors maybe 10, so lets go on a 4 week bouldering trip to Castle Hill with strong guys! Good way to boost the ego. By the time I got home, after all the stories of Europe travelling I knew I had to go. But before that, I had to be able to climb past a 23 (my PB).
So I started a strict training regime. I put a hangboard up in my house (when I say 'I', I mean Josh helped me) and I started bouldering at the Lactic Factory. After all, I have always lacked power, and it's more fun climbing there than anywhere else around Melb!
Training regime was- organise work and social events, and see where the climbing fit in. So that left me 2 days a week, sometimes 1. So I would send a text out, and rock up for a few hours to crush. That hangboard- I still don't think it has any chalk on it. Dust musn't be mistaken for chalk.
This 'training' was supplemented by a once a month Gramps trip. First time to Muiline/Gallery and I was getting absolutely spanked on the supposed 'warmups'. Again, going with fat Nick and Josh boosted my ego. I managed to scramble (use knees/elbows/grunting) my way up crank'n'dangle (24). Woohoo!
Eventually, I ticked some classic routes- Invisible fist, Mr J, Labrynth, Chasin the Shadow. Then, I was totally inspired by Ross on Eye of the Tiger. Grade- who cares- hard. But it looked awesome and I wanted to play. So I did, and I s-t-ruggled. Each and every move. BUT 6 months later (6 trips) I made it to the top- knee bars/knee pads and all!
Next was Monkey Puzzle, I thought it would be nice to do a 28 before I left. It suited me really well- all the bouldering training I had been doing helped me with the 100m endurance fest. Sweet.
Easter- I had high hopes. I had 4 days and I felt fit. Yet- I did nothing. As stated in previous blogs- absolutely nothing. I tried Venon, but got to the last draw. So I thought I would try to finish it before I left the country. Some Tasmanians were around during the week, and so was Gay Dave. And seeing as I had to work weekends, I thought it would be great if I drive up by myself, tick Venom and get ready to pack. Alas, this isn't what went down. Those crazy kids convinced me Slurp'n'slime (Serpentine) was easier and better. And being the gullible person that I am, I believed them. First day on- again- s-t-ruggled. Couldn't get to the top. First crux, yea ok, hard. Second crux- not so bad- did it first go. The 'easy to the top' part- couldn't get past it. But, it was the most fun I had had on a belay ledge- Gay Dave, Dough, Grug and myself balancing up there with 3 slings each...?
So I left, dejected...3 more times. And 4 days before I was to get on a plane, I got out of bed midday. Had some breakfast, strolled up to the best cliff in the world, and tip toed my way to the top in the glorious sun (after almost coming off after the last draw).
I thought I was ready..for my first stop in the UK. After a few crazy days in Dubai, it was London next. I had no accom booked but my friend had a nice single room booked. It was my lucky day, coz the power was out in Russel Sq, leaving all fire stairwells not alarmed. Making sneaking up the fire escape to sleep on the floor far too easy..
5 hour bus ride later- I arrive in Sheffield for a long weekend/bank holiday. I walk into a house full of climbing people and get asked 'pink champagne?'! Party time. Till 8am the next day. Earlier for some. And even later for others (11pm next night).
First day was solo/bouldering at Burbage Nth. Left the house at 7pm hungover and feeling about 20%.
Second day- Trad climbing at Rivelin. My head was a mess. Fumbling up HVS something somethings. Grading here is bizzare. It was the hottest day of the year. Girls were sunbaking in bikinis and boys were shirtless and in shorts. I on the otherhand was in pants and jumper- 'boiling hot' was 20 deg.
Third day- Stanage- Marble wall. Fell off some great E2 crack thing. I'd never fallen on my gear before, but I suppose it works hey! Comes with courtesy bruises and blood on the back of your hands..
Fourth day- Millstone. My favourite so far. Stunning 20m lines. Regent Street- alot of fun!
Fifth day- rain and wind meant we went to Malham. A shiny polished limestone sport crag. hmm. All that fitness I thought I had? Lies. Wet shiny rock proved to beat me back down to reality.
So I've decided to have a rest. Drink some tea, read a book and test this blog thing out...and ponder on the fact that everyone here is so lovely. And don't work!? Definately a lifestyle I could get used to...till I run out of money. Then they have all sworn to keep me captive as a sex slave/steal my passport and chain me up as a belay slave...
Until the next time, I'll be heading to North Wales and Pembroke for the next few weeks...in this life anyway. Who knows what's going on in my other secret 4 lives! One can only imagine.
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