A new rock star is born....

Close at the heals of Adam Ondra is climbing sensation Rachel Blackwood- rarely has such natural talent been evident- Rachel cruises a 3, making the grade look easy. It's only a matter of time before Rachel is the name on everyone's lips, forgotten will be such dinosaurs as Sharma and Andrada- make way for the new generation of superclimbers....

Recently

Dinbren, climbing until it's dark, a summer evening's climbing at it's best

Climbing at it's worst: a climber is injured by a rock fall, and rescued by helicopter (the climber's ok-and making a full recovery- no serious injuries)

Some graphic flower shots from Trevor Hall today

Viva Catalunya!

Ricard and I head to his home in Catalunya for the most intensive climbing trip I've ever had- about 1600ft of climbing, 18 routes, in 3 1/2 days. Climbed with David and Olga whilst there, meeting up with quite a few familiar faces from friends who visited them in Chester too. I had a lot of fun :¬)

(coloured text are links to videos)

Day 1: Siurana
(Sector La Siuranella)

Below: enlarge the photo, and spot the climbers in the middle- this is one BIG cliff..

2 French Mountain guides were trying this 7c+ route all day- they tried VERY hard

Day 2: Margalef

First view of the stunning conglomerate rock of Margalef

David Climbs

Below: No trick photography- there is a route accross this 40m (130ft) overhang- 8c+ apparently...

Below: Ricard climbs what was one of the finest routes all weekend, an incredible 6b+

Olga pleased as punch to have made the best progress on this 6b+ that she's ever made

Ricard and I climb this fantastic 7a

Day 3: La Mussarra
(Sector TV crags)

Another handful of long, very high quality routes- glad I had a 70 meter rope for this trip- most routes were 30 meters+. View from the top of the crag here was incredible- you can apparently see the Balearics on a clear day.

Below: Monastero De Poblet: 5 mins from Ricardo, David and Olga's home town of L'Espluga De Francoli

Day 4: La Riba
(Sector La Directa)

Still had time for three 3 star routes on this incredible crag before eating our lunch by the river and heading back to the UK (and rain).

What an incredible trip- so many thanks to Olga, Ricardo, David, their family (for making me so welcome, letting us run around in their car, and running us to the airport, and giving us food and drink and a place to sleep). - I miss, and will miss my Spanish friends so much. In fact so much, that I'm already planning my next visit- I hope you're ready ;¬)

May Bank Holiday

Bank Holiday weekend in South Wales with Ricardo, Lee and Paul

Witches Point

End of a beautiful day with 3 star climbs on less-than-inspiring looking crag

Sunday: Oxwich turned out to be another crag with some great routes- beautiful location:

Oh dear, not the best start to Monday, but somehow Lee stayed positive, and found us a superb crag to climb on: Dinas:

Lee's best impression of Jesus.


Lee's "climbing super power"- the ability to bridge onto the neighbouring crag

Ricard tries the same route

Paul powers through with a clean ascent.


All in all a great trip- and the area definitely warrants another visit.

April

Portland , Easter weekend with Ricard, also Mark Glaister and Mark and Ksenia

Sunset on Good Friday

Saturday: Mark Glaister puts a rope up Englands Dreaming 7a+ - great route- good to catch up with you Mark.


Sunday: with Mark and Ksenia- hopefully we'll have many more climbs and curries :¬)

My view from the top of Englands Dreaming- last climb of the day- very proud of my lead.

Monday: My first Deep Water Solo! (also my first E3 6a!) Thanks to Rich and all for the encouragement, and helping to end mine and Ricard's Portland trip on a high note, after the terrible accident earlier in the day.

Jim Houghton follows my lead and climbs the route- I had just been in for a dip- I can confirm that the water was indeed 3 degrees- an incentive I believe helped Jim to complete the route without a fall :¬)

Rich Simpson climbing for the first time in six months after retiring from top level routes (9a).
Very friendly chap indeed, who I think really enjoyed the weekend- I hope you keep climbing Rich.

March

Shots from Dinbren and Trevor Quarry in March.

Me working Fat Boys (7a+), photos courtesy of Patricia

Cheesy grin from Lee after success on Elite Syncopations (click here for video)

Me belaying Ricard as he works Fat Boys (7a+)- Photo courtesy of Gabbi.