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Well what can I say; Lucinda and I had a great trip to Spain. We took the long ferry from Portsmouth to Bilboa which took about 36 hours, it was certainly an experience!

We cruised down through Catalunya checking out Terradettes, Santa Linya, Rodella and Beilsa. All of these crags are awesome especially Beilsa which was my favorite. It was a bit more adventurous with 35 metre run out tufa routes! And there was no one there.

We then headed down to Albaracin which was about a 5 hour drive to meet up with some friends. We had two quality days bouldering and chilled out in there wooden shack, eating and drinking… bring it on.

Four weeks had flashed by and we decided to have the last week flexing on a beach and getting psyched for the cold wet November ahead. We push on down south to my Mum and Dads small holiday farmhouse nr Catagena. The sea was warm and the beer cold.  We did have a couple of days climbing and checking out some new areas.

All in all it was a an awesome trip and smashed in 5 8a's one 35meter 8a+ and two font 7c's.

The last month has been great, I have not got loads to show for it but I have been very busy training and getting psyched for my 8c goal!! The weather crapped out a bit over the last 3 weeks but that has meant I went back to Malham slightly sooner than expected, I have despatched the Thumb at Kilnsey before north buttress got wet and I was getting close to Unjustifield before it got wet again! Oh well I'm off to Spain for a month to clip some bolts and catch some sun.

Talk soon, cheers

Sam

I have had a busy last couple of months sport climbing. I came back from the frankenjura due to bad weather and terrible mosquitos. Since I got back I have been psyched for Yorkshire limestone, Lu and I have had some regular visits to Malham before it got too hot!! Ticking the following classics, Herbie, Raindogs and Austrian Oak!

I have also ticked Minos (cheedale) and Biological need (Kilnsey)  both second go.

Its all a bit hot out there but when it cools down hopefully things will feel slightly easier..

cheers Sam

Lucinda protecting against the Mosqitos in the Frankenjura!!!!!

This last month has been crazy, both of our big competitions at the works were awesome. The CWIF was a huge success this year with over 200 people attending the spectacular final where Jerome Meyer and Maud Ansade came out top, narrowly beating Dave Barrans and Leah Crane. The week after we held the BUCS student championships with Sheffield Uni continuing there unbeaten record to 3 years in row. Good work Sheffield.

While these big events have been on at the Works, I have been trying to train as much as possible and keep on the program for the Frankenjura. I had a good day at raven tor ticking Bens Roof, Weed killer footless and the Direct start to Weedkiller. Then had a good day on the fingerboard managing to do 3 one armers in a row, this is the first time I have ever done three and five is now the new target!! Roll on the Beastmaker.

Lucinda and I went up to Northumberland for a few days with Lee, Andy and Adam, we went to Shaftoe and Bowden the 1st day and Kyloe in and Hepburn on the second. I despatched a cool 7C at Shaftoe and did some other classics. Lu got very close to Purely Belter but had to give in as her fingers were bleeding. We then headed to Bowden to have a look at the crack a classic 7C+ / 8a I had tried this problem once before but could not relly get off the ground. After a beta from Adam and Andy I despatched it second go.. Get in.

Day to was awsome too after working out all the moves on the sit start to Hitch Hikers I had one good go but I was feeling a bit tied, its a cool problem that felt like perfect training for the Frankenjura. On the way back we stopped off at Hepburn to have a look at a classic highball called Northern Soul, I worked out a slightly diffrent secquence to Adam and then sent it next go a very cool esoteric 7a+ problem that was very similar to some boulders in Font.

After a couple of rest days Lu and Lee were keen to get back on Purely Belter 8a at Shaftoe, we headed up at 7.30 am from Sheffield to get some cooler conditions. We arrived at about 10am and it was in the shade and cold, the friction was really good. After a couple of very close attempts Lucinda stuck the crux hold and dispatched her first 8a. I had been resting most of the morning and taking pictures and after Lu's strong display I got psyched for the flash. I brushed the holds and sqeaked my shoes and then despatched it, carefully trying not to fall off the mantle. Lu and both agreed it was soft for the grade but a very good problem in a superb setting.

Talk soon