Winter Update

Autumn 2011 was a bit of mixed bag with warm and damp conditions much of the time in North Yorkshire. At October half term we headed to Font but the humid weather seemed to follow us across the Channel. We had a great time nevertheless climbing lots of 7's (Fourmi Verte was the bloc of the trip!), relaxing and drinking wine. 'Barbara' our 'new' T5 gave us great service...thanks to 'Tako Vans' for the conversion!

In November I attended the Robins' stag gathering and in between the usual debauchery and gritstone squeezes, I managed to scrabble along Grand Theft 7c and quickly up Columns 7c+? Richie and I managed a rather cold and jaded Sunday afternoon ascent of Valkyrie which was great. Considering I first did Valkyrie with my Dad about twenty years ago it had lost none of its quality or exposure! Great memories.

In between training power endurance at 'the Barn' and enjoying the comp problems at The Depot I've been trying to improve core strength in my cellar, I'll see if it's been worth it in the Spring! Whilst visiting the in laws in Mid Wales at Christmas I popped to Tan y Grisiau and although most things were wet and I struggled to warm up, I managed to blast up Flick of the Wrist 7c? second go...what a great bloc and with more potential here, I'll be back! Over the rest of December and January, Brimham/Whitehouses have been reliable as ever, giving lots of 7cs etc. SD and I also headed to the newly developed Eavestone 'Crevasse' and I managed to surmount Get a Grip 7a (excellent), Sky Diamond 7c and Digital Delirium 7c+/8a? Steve smoothed his way up a wall project around the corner giving 'Diamond Lights?' hard 7? With the cold weather now being back in full force I put an old nemesis to bed last week and took down Growled 8a at Whitehouses. Hopefully more left to right action before it gets too warm!

The Yorkshire scene is potentially more vibrant than ever in 2012 with 'young turks' Dan Turner and Dave Jones moving to the area and the hugely powerful Dr Palmer is also back in the Shire plus 'old twinkle toes' Dunning is helping keep the end up for the 30somethings, by being injury free and nearing full power. There will be more to follow!