SYCC 2012; Kenton Cool; and my brother, Alexander.

Sometimes its hard to juggle homework and training and writing my blog! So apologies for this combined entry.

Last weekend I competed in the Scottish Youth Climbing Championship. The competition was for lead climbing and/ or speed climbing. I decided to enter both. In my category Youth B boys I was competing against Angus Davidson, fellow GB Team member, and Dominic Burns and Jamie Rankin from Ireland. All three are really strong climbers so I knew it would be a tough competition - we all topped our two qualifier routes and were through to the final. Our final route was a tough green 8a. I was last out from isolation to climb. I knew I would have to get high on the route and also do it quickly as time was being used to separate climbers who were tied. I climbed this route well (and tried not to rest too much) and was pleased to top out. Once I was lowered down I heard that I was the only one to top the route and so I was Scottish Champion! Neil McGeachy one of the route setters was surprised I had managed the last move as they had deliberately set it using a horrible foot-hold as a hand-hold, in order to throw off climbers!

2nd Qualifier

High up on 2nd Qualifier

Youth B Boys podium

Next was the speed finals. Through out the day you were able to post your two qualifying times - I had managed to set a PB of 15.47s - which was the second fastest time for my age category. I was up against Jamie Rankin in the semi-final. I was pleased to come through this round safely and be into the Finals. This time I was up against Dominic Burns and I knew this race would be very close. This race was very tight and a slip at the top meant I finished in 2nd place. However, I was really pleased to post another PB of 14.1 seconds.

Boys 12-15 years Speed Podium

My brother Alexander won his category for speed and also posted a PB time of 13.037 seconds during the competition. Well done Alexander!

Alexander trying to be as tall as Calum!

On Thursday 20th September, Alexander, my Dad and I attended the Sherpa Adventure Gear Lecture Tour with Kenton Cool and Neil Gresham. It was a really interesting evening and I especially enjoyed hearing about Kenton's summit of Everest. Here I am with Kenton after the lecture.

with Kenton Cool 

Finally, congratulations to my brother Alexander who has met the BMC Speed time requirements for his age group and is to compete at the European Championship in Gemozac, France in November. Well Done!