A red hot evening climb after work. I lead the first pitch and we swapped leads at the stance. Justin made the first move out of a very small belay stance but just couldn't bring himself to keep going, After the third return to the stance and with the sun starting to drop he passed the lead onto me. I lead the next pitch and after getting him up to the belay I pushed on. Rope drag was horrendous with 2 brand new treated ropes and a slightly wandering route. By the time I got to the traverse right time was running out and with not much gear below to protect the traverse out to the right I decided to push straight on up to the top and then hack out through the bushes to the road. It seems the lack of climbing over the last 18 months has caused a drop in confidence. I certainly don't feel as fit, my climbing and my grip, body position etc are not as good as 2 years ago.
Area :The Wye Valley, Monmouth, Gloucestershire and The Malverns
Includes Symonds Yat, Wintour's Leap, Shorn Cliff, Wynd Cliff, Windcliff Quarry and many other smaller crags.
A red hot evening climb after work. I lead the first pitch and we swapped leads at the stance. Justin made the first move out of a very small belay stance but just couldn't bring himself to keep going, After the third return to the stance and with the sun starting to drop he passed the lead onto me. I lead the next pitch and after getting him up to the belay I pushed on. Rope drag was horrendous with 2 brand new treated ropes and a slightly wandering route. By the time I got to the traverse right time was running out and with not much gear below to protect the traverse out to the right I decided to push straight on up to the top and then hack out through the bushes to the road. It seems the lack of climbing over the last 18 months has caused a drop in confidence. I certainly don't feel as fit, my climbing and my grip, body position etc are not as good as 2 years ago.
