Any rock climbers here?

[doctornige]

Same here. All my tapes and quick draws need replacing, big rocks and walnuts re-roping and Friends back to the factory for new slings, plus new ropes. I've taken to hiring a rope at the climbing wall now.

I used to think the same of bouldering but it's become a sport within a sport. My youngest,13, got third place at the winter bouldering league in Liverpool last night. Won himself a hat and a chalk ball and is still wearing a big grin today.

Whatever you think of bouldering it's an excellent activity for core strength and flexibility.

I asked Wild Country to resling the Friends, but they asked some questions about the devices to determine their age. Once they had established that they were more than 10 years old, they flat refused to do the work because they felt they could no longer guarantee the integrity of the metal.

 

[Crackle]

I asked Wild Country to resling the Friends, but they asked some questions about the devices to determine their age. Once they had established that they were more than 10 years old, they flat refused to do the work because they felt they could no longer guarantee the integrity of the metal.

Prompted by your post I checked their website and it says non-repairable after 10 years. I've e-mailed them anyway as I reckon they've only had five years of use but I'm not hopeful.

In a way it doesn't matter, I'm not sure if I'm going to take it up again and if I do, it will be in a strictly limited capacity to teach my kids lead climbing and ropework but I can't decide one way or the other.

 

[SlowerThanASluggishSloth]

Having been mentioned by ColinJ, above, I think it’s only polite that I, too, come out as a climber. Please don’t say anything to the mods, because I really like the people round here on CC, but cycling is really only my second interest after rock-climbing.

I started climbing when I was 25, in 1863, and I’ve been climbing on and off since then. Some of the ons have been wonderful, some of the offs not so wonderful. Now with advancing years I have an incontrovertible reason for failure to add to my already extensive repertoire of excuses. My strength is failing (I used to be able to do one-armed sit-ups); my usual technique is based on that of a drunken three-legged sloth (is there a recurrent theme here?); and I am now as flexible as the Angel of the North.

The Bumper Book of Climbing Fun, which Colin referred to, is unlike any other climbing book currently in print. It’s a collection of humorous items which has had some excellent reviews (from total strangers, I hasten to add):

"Wonderful, irreverent, and hugely entertaining book... Brilliantly observed... quick-witted genius... "
Dave Pickford, Editor, Climb Magazine

It's a great book ... and had me sitting laughing away. The two authors have done a great job and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Karin Magog

PRETTY FUNNY! The perfect antidote to a standard 'get strong, stay fit' climbing book.
Hazel Findlay

Good reading!
John Dunne

If you’re tempted, you can get a flavour of the book by clicking on the preview on the kindle page and you can by the paperback there, too. Details other formats, background info, full reviews, etc. available from our web-site.

Since my regular climbing partner moved to Kendal (why would anyone want to do that?) I’m climbing a lot less, but cycling a lot more, and thanks to the efforts of people on here have been enjoying some awesome rides in the company of some really friendly cyclists. Now I climb when I can and cycle when I can’t – best of both worlds!

 

[ColinJ]

My strength is failing (I used to be able to do one-armed sit-ups); my usual technique is based on that of a drunken three-legged sloth (is there a recurrent theme here?); and I am now as flexible as the Angel of the North.

I think I have enough strength in my arms to do a few one-armed sit-ups.







I reckon I'd have a big problem with one-armed push-ups (press-ups) though!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

In my younger years i used to climb a fair bit. I had the advantage of living just over a mile from Harrison Rocks in Tunbridge Wells (Groombridge really).

I was ok not brilliant.

Switched to scrambling back in the late 80's.

As time went on the novelty of standing on-belay for an hour halfway up some Scottish peak in mid-winter lost its appeal.

Also the rock climbing 'scene' was becoming just that. Lot's of young guys and girls dressed in 'pretty' climbing gear standing about posing and talking about E6's & E7's (not a clue what level they are up to now) as though they had the ability to do them when they couldn't.

Maybe I just got too old for it. That and the fact that I dislocated my shoulder on Ben Nevis in 2003 which stopped my half-hearted attempts to give it one more go.

Now my mate and I are happiest getting up to a summit by the most difficult route that doesn't require a rope.

 

[Crackle]

Having been mentioned by ColinJ, above, I think it’s only polite that I, too, come out as a climber. Please don’t say anything to the mods, because I really like the people round here on CC, but cycling is really only my second interest after rock-climbing.

I started climbing when I was 25, in 1863, and I’ve been climbing on and off since then. Some of the ons have been wonderful, some of the offs not so wonderful. Now with advancing years I have an incontrovertible reason for failure to add to my already extensive repertoire of excuses. My strength is failing (I used to be able to do one-armed sit-ups); my usual technique is based on that of a drunken three-legged sloth (is there a recurrent theme here?); and I am now as flexible as the Angel of the North.

The Bumper Book of Climbing Fun, which Colin referred to, is unlike any other climbing book currently in print. It’s a collection of humorous items which has had some excellent reviews (from total strangers, I hasten to add):

"Wonderful, irreverent, and hugely entertaining book... Brilliantly observed... quick-witted genius... "
Dave Pickford, Editor, Climb Magazine

It's a great book ... and had me sitting laughing away. The two authors have done a great job and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Karin Magog

PRETTY FUNNY! The perfect antidote to a standard 'get strong, stay fit' climbing book.
Hazel Findlay

Good reading!
John Dunne

If you’re tempted, you can get a flavour of the book by clicking on the preview on the kindle page and you can by the paperback there, too. Details other formats, background info, full reviews, etc. available from our web-site.

Since my regular climbing partner moved to Kendal (why would anyone want to do that?) I’m climbing a lot less, but cycling a lot more, and thanks to the efforts of people on here have been enjoying some awesome rides in the company of some really friendly cyclists. Now I climb when I can and cycle when I can’t – best of both worlds!

Do you remember the Art Of Course .......... whatever books. Your book reminds me a little of them and appeals to me for that reason. I was never a pretty climber but at least I spent a lot of time talking a good climb.

 

[SlowerThanASluggishSloth]

Do you remember the Art Of Course .......... whatever books. Your book reminds me a little of them and appeals to me for that reason. I was never a pretty climber but at least I spent a lot of time talking a good climb.

Yes, I do remember them! Long time since I've seen one but they were a hoot, weren't they?

 

[Gixxerman]

Yeah I do a fair degree of climbing / mountaineering.
I am also a member of the Lincolnshire Mountaineering Club (stop laughing at the back).
At the climbing wall my limit is about 5c. In the real world I can lead S and second HS. Would like to get to be able to lead VS as there are many more good climbs at this grade.
I go to the peaks (Stannage / Burbage etc.) every month or so. Over the last few years my climbing buddy Dunc and me have started doing a few multi-pitch routes in Wales, the Lakes and Scotland as I find them more more fun and worthwhile than just climbing a crag. Last year we managed to do the complete traverse of the Black Cullin ridge (report here). I have also done tower ridge on Ben Nevis. We are planning a jaunt to the Picos de Europa in June time. My first climbing trip abroad! Well that is if we can both shake off our respective injuries (my calf, his knee).

 

[Globalti]

Anyone got any guide books for the Dutch Alps?

 

[Rikolet]

Old post! Any climbers at the moment?

 

[Dave7]

Old post! Any climbers at the moment?

When I was 10 yrs old I climbed Grannies rock (Wallasey) and sat in Grannies chair. Does that count .
I sometime watch clips of people doing 'impossible' climbs, mouth hanging open while asking HOW do they do that.

 

[PaulB]

Old post! Any climbers at the moment?

I've done a bit in my time. Did more out of necessity during the great Foot and Mouth outbreak where it became about the only thing you could do in the outdoors. Or indoors! What are you looking for?

 

[Rikolet]

I believe everything is possible if you believe you can do it!

I don't aim to climb hard grades, I just love climbing in any aspect (rocks, trad, sport, walls, bouldering, scrambling) and would like to keep it in the pleasure zone.

 

[Rikolet]

Planed last August cycling in the Netherlands and climbing Excalibur... All canceled obviously.

 

[Drago]

Im not but one of my neighbours is a Major in the armt and keen rock monkey. He has a mercedes camper and every spare moment hes away sleeping in his van ready to leap forth with the sunrise and climb up something.