Glendalough

Good session up in Glendo on Saturday, even if conditions were a bit greasy, and a good crowd too. Last few times I've been out it was me on my lonesome. Did the usual warm up circuit by the path and spotted a possible new line which looks kind of easy but still interesting. However there was a smell of *ahem* animal droppings coming from where my mat would have to go so I left it alone. It will go next time. I did get the path side traverse problem on my first attempt which I'm pleased with, tried Greg's Problem which I could hang but couldn't get the campus move. Greg's problem is basically a jump to a couple of slopers and then either campus or try and get a foot on under the overhang and slap for the next hold. Followed by the obligatory mantle.

We tried the fin slab (6a version) but it wasn't to go for any of us and neither were the Rails (for me anyway). Then we tried The Butcher of Glendalough AKA Howard's roof. This is a hand jamming crack along a roof and then up and around for a mantle finish. I got the first two moves before quitting but its on the 'To Do' list. It really is a butcher of a problem. We headed over to Big Jim to do the slab problems and give our hands a break. As long as I've been going to Glendo I haven't been able to do that fecken slab problem at the back of Big Jim and I'm despairing for any future attempts. A dew started to settle in the valley at this stage so we called it a day.

It's interesting how some problems that are easier than most just won't go. I'm sure everybody has something that they think 'For crying out loud I should have been able to get this years ago'. Try and try again you just can't do it. There must be a way around these mental blocks, a NLP technique or something. I'm going to start experimenting with NLP again as it helped me break into a new grade a couple of route climbing years ago.

Anyway I forgot my camera but Neal showed up with his so I've stolen a few from his photos below. You can find the full album here.

I've now got two short trips away planned: Bouldering competition and meet in Galway and The Burren 3rd/4th November. Then Fontainebleau 22nd-26th November. One of the things I love about climbing is the travelling. Admittedly Galway isn't exactly exotic but you know what I mean.