Team Geared Up

DUBLIN, IRELAND (Team Geared Up) - Here’s a brief update on the last trip to Siurana in Spain with Rob. Firstly, who’d have thought we’d spend the whole trip looking for the SUN while there?! Usually it’s the complete opposite with an almost allergic reaction to sun in Siurana due to it being way too warm. I should have known it’d be different when I arrived at the crag wearing a t-shirt, two thermals, a hoodie, scarf, hat and a down jacket? :) Still though, once you’d gotten through the first few minutes of coldness (on every route you started), it was brilliant. Amazing actually!
I was only getting over an injury, and suffering seriously from a whopping cold/flu before I left so wasn’t expecting much. My only aim was to avoid Anabolica, the previous 8a which would affect the injury again, but try another one and try another harder route I’d been on only briefly previously. As for Rob, well it looked like he was game for anything which was always fun :)
Siurana was sooo quiet in comparison to last time, but we were lucky enough to bump into a small crew of Brits (Hi Dan, Tony, Sophie!) who were keen also in the cold weather to get out on rock. Due to the conditions, anyone who was motivated helped.

Dan on a 7b+, Monstant, Spain

The general routine? up for 8:30ish, climbing by 9:30ish/10 until dark (5:30), and then recover for the evening. Over the week Rob successfully ticked Bistec de Bicep, the classic, short and burly 7b+, and numerous other grade 7’s. A great week considering the conditions, and the general sluggishness that came with climbing in freezing temperatures!

Rob warming up (note the gloves) for Bistec de Biceps, Sector L’Olla, Siurana, Spain

I got to follow my aim, trying a new route on the big wall in Siurana. Crimpy and technical with a disappointing drilled mono pocket to overcome a blank section of wall. The problem? I can’t reach the mono either (Who measured it?!?!) so have to do some emmmm, entertaining maneuvers to get to it :)
I also got to try my other out-there hard route in Monstant. I’m in awe, slightly humbled due to it’s difficulty, and more inspired due to the fact that I could deal with it’s difficulty. It’s the 8b+/5.14a that can be seen in the Extras of that DVD ‘E11′. I wasn’t sure I was ready to publicly mention it here as it’s pretty out there in grades (for me at least), but what the hell, it’s on the wish list for a trip next year. Lots of work required to get myself to standard though, but if I needed an incentive to continue my training, this is it! Speaking of which, if anyone wants to do some virtual training by sharing knowledge and benchmarks, do let me know……

As it happened, it was wild weather the day we landed (the worst landing I’ve ever had), and on the final day it started snowing! Talk about a perfect week. I got word that no one could climb for the next week as there was no sunshine for heat. Talk about a fluke week for us.

Since then, well it’s been back to the drawing board, sorry fingerboard ;), and a lot more running! The more I talk to Dave and some of the other runners I’ve gotten to know through TGU, I’m starting to get into the running scene. Oh oh……

By the way, Happy New Year to all!