Spain - July 2014

At the beginning of July I headed to La Manga, Spain for a family holiday. Although this was not to be a climbing holiday I knew I had to keep training, as I had an European Youth Boulder Cup competition on my return. I was lucky to be able to train at a local boulder wall, in La Union, owned by Club de Montana, Roller Masters, which I really appreciated. It was a great training wall, although very hot in the summer weather!

Club de Montana, Roller Masters

The Boulder wall, La Union, Spain

Working hard!

I also managed to climb at an indoor Lead wall in Murcia and do some outdoor climbing at a crag at Mula. As it was so hot during the day we climbed in the evening and looked for routes that were in the shade. Although I only had a short time climbing at Mula I managed to tick Sogun 8a, Sucina 8a+, and a bouldery climb through the roof of a cave, Lula 8a.

Here I am climbing at Mula -

Climbing Sogun, 8a

Sucina, 8a+

Mula is a winter crag, but I'm pleased that I braved the heat as the climbing was fun. I would like to return sometime to this area, during the winter, and climb at another local crag, Leyva.

EYCC 2014, EICA / Demoing at YCS Final, EICA / Fun at Dumbarton, June 2014

I have had a very busy summer of climbing, competitions, and fun. During the weekend of 14th/15th June I competed at the European Youth Climbing Championship, for Youth A boys, where I was delighted to make finals and finish in 8th place. I include the link to a BMC film of this event.

ifsc-european-youth-championships-2014

On the 28th June I was busy climbing again, this time demoing the routes for Youth A boys, at the British Youth Climbing Series Final, at EICA Ratho. The GB Junior Climbing Team were asked to volunteer at this event and demonstrate the routes. It was great fun and a privilege to demo for this category and the BMC organisers.

The following week was the start of my school holidays and I had lots of climbing friends from the GB team to stay, Molly Thomson-Smith, Jim Pope, Pete Dawson and Angus Davidson. We had great fun climbing during the day and watching scary movies at night. We climbed at Dumbarton Rock and I was delighted to climb my first 8A boulders (Pongo SS and Sabotage.)

Dumbarton Rock - 8th June 2014

On Sunday 8th June I drove through, with my Dad, to climb at Dumbarton. It was the first time I have climbed there and I really enjoyed it. When we arrived there was very heavy rain (typical west coast weather - it was sunny in Edinburgh) and we got very wet. However, where I was going to be climbing was sheltered and so the route I was keen to try, Sufferance, was dry. I got on to the route and worked the sequences, which I found quite tough as there were no chalk marks and the holds were not great.

Eating some lunch - as it was so wet underfoot it was easier to stay clipped in!

I worked it for a while and eventually found sequences that worked well for me - I was pleased to climb the route on my 2nd attempt and really enjoyed it.

Nearing the top of the route

At the top

Sufferance, 8a, is a very good route. I will definitely go back to Dumbarton soon.