Curbar Field – the Severe climber

Between the Rain

June 3, 2019the Severe climber

I climbed around the rain this weekend. Rain often either forces me to not go climbing at all, or forces me to finish climbing before I’m ready. This weekend looked like it was going to go that way again when it started raining after I had only done two problems at Stanage Far Right. It was particularly annoying as rain (and snow) had stopped me climbing in North Yorkshire a couple of months ago, and for some time I’d been wanting to go back to Stanage Far Right to see if I could finish the green circuit.

Me climbing Snout Groove at Stanage Far Right.

Climbing Snout Groove (VB 4a) at Stanage Far Right. This was my first climb of the day, and I got rained off after completing my second.

Me climbing the problem Steps at Stanage Far Right.

With the weather completely changed, I went back to Stanage Far Right. Here I’m climbing Steps (VB 4a).

Me climbing Front Flake at Stanage Far Right.

Climbing the fun Front Flake (V0+ 5a) at Stanage Far Right.

Climbing Pert Bloke at Stanage Far Right

Pert Bloke (V0+ 5a) is a really interesting, fun problem (I didn’t even mind the sit start).

Climbing the Gripple One problem at Stanage Far Right

Me climbing the problem Gripple One at Stanage Far Right.

The far right hand end of Stanage is a brilliant place for easier bouldering. The problems are varied, interesting and (usually) above good landings. The views are brilliant. It’s also only a ten minute walk from the car parking (which is a definite plus when there’s a chance you might get rained off). Read more →

My Climbing 2018 in Pictures

December 28, 2018December 26, 2018the Severe climber

With a knee injury (and resultant surgery) I didn’t get out as much as I would have liked in 2018. But I still had some great days climbing and walking. These photos give a sense of days.

Abandoned Grit

A view of the Derwent Valley from Derwent Edge.

The trig point on Back Tor with Derwent Edge in the distance.

Ladybower Reservoir.

Trying unsuccessfully to do a dyno on the problem Steep Side (V0+ 5a) on the Lone Boulder at Stanage Plantation.

Me trying to climb Centre Whale (V1 5b) on The Whale boulder at Burbage South Valley, and not getting much higher than I am in this picture.

Climbing Peasy Flake (VB) on The Useful Boulder at Burbage South Valley.

My first outdoor climb in a year – Bore-hole Wall (V0 4b) at Curbar Field.

Snow covering the path up Waun Fach.

Aber Falls in North Wales.

A rainbow above Nant y Geaullt, near Capel Curig.

I’m Finally Back

October 1, 2018October 1, 2018the Severe climber

It’s been a year since I climbed on real rock and six months since the accident. After lots of physio exercises, surgery and weekly sessions at climbing walls to remind my body how to climb, last weekend I finally got back to climbing outside. It brought a smile to my face and reminded me of why I love to climb.