Duchy AITP Climbing 28 Jan 2011

Guess what? Yeap, it's another freezing day. Still, the guys and girls are keen to get on the rock, especially as they are looking at doing some multipitch routes for the first time. We went down to the Dewerstone, a delightful riverside crag, located up the secluded River Dart valley, near Plymouth. I first climbed there nearly 25 years ago and have been back there sporadically over the years. Its home to some great climbs, including the Classic Rock route, Climbers Club Ordinary (VS 4b). Well, we had the crag to ourselves and the guys did brilliantly, with ascents of Colonel's Arete, Mucky Gully and Central Climb. It was a fitting end to a good couple of days and it's nice to see the student's enthusiasm for climbing grow and grow.

Duchy AITP Climbing 27 Jan 2011

Bloody Hell! It's ffffffrrreeeezzzzing! There was ice on the crag and the ground was solid! Had a short day out on Kesstor, a steep little crag. There's a couple of easy routes on one side and a tough little severe up the middle. Spent most of the day wrapped up in 2 duvet jackets. Now suffering from the onset of manflu :-(

Duchy AITP Climbing 26 Jan

Well, the weather was better today. As these guys are working towards being outdoor providers and require experience and qualifications in various activities, climbing being one of them. They all hope to undergo Single Pitch Award Training and need to be able to lead climb on real rock, with leader placed protection. I was working alongside Mark Garland, a long time Culm Coast pervert, who suggested we headed up to Millook to check out a small crag that might suit the student's needs. Needless to say, it was the usual North coast pile of rubble, but the guys and girls had a good time and got a route or two under their belts.

Duchy AITP Climbing - 25 Jan

Weyhey! Its back to work again. This time the weather was terrible. I tried to convince the students that it would be a good idea to go and climb in the rain, but they were having none of it. Wimps. So it was off to The Barn for some indoor climbing and plastic pulling. Ouch! my arms hurt!

Surf's Up 20 Jan

Managed to surf twice today. At South Fistral in the morning and then again at Watergate Bay in BIG surf! Sets were double overhead and the sneaker sets even bigger! not many out, most of whom were sat inside, catching the smaller waves. I was out on the rhino chaser and managed to drop into some BIG waves. Haven't been out on the Chaser for a long time. Great fun. More please

Surf's Up 19 Jan

Mellow waves at South Fistral with my mate, Jez (SUP rider). 'Twas sunny too. Happy Days :-)

Duchy AITP Climbing - 17 Jan

Well, its back to proper work. Had a day working with fellow MIA and all round climbing loon, Mosseeee, with a small group of students from Duchy College. Pity it was damp and miserable. Still, undeterred we headed down to the Dewerstone (lovely crag by the River Dart, close to Plymouth) and got the guys and girls to solve problems and escape the system!