Didn't train, went climbin.

This weekend was meant to be the lead up to the comps, set it in my head to start dry tooling at masson lees.

Didn't happen, went climbing instead. It's really hard to make a set point when the weather is so good for rock. If it had been raining then it would have been different, but it wasn't and I did, climb that is.

So Corvus drew me into the hills of the Lake District, raven crag buttress was the target. Corvus is a 3 star climb and a must to do, so I am told. Winter summer spring you name it, so as it was summer off we went. Mega early to miss the crowds, even thou it is a good 45 min walk in, or an hour at an amble.

        

So what's this old duffer pointing at, oh yeh it's his future. John is on his first multi pitch trip, this should be the decider as to wether he is a single man or a multi man. Either way is fine by me, as long as he enjoys climbing alls good. So with Raven crag in the distance and Corvus waiting it's off up the hill.

        

John in the above picture studying the route.

To late, or not early enough. Anyway, not going to beat theses chaps as they were camping 50 yards down the hill, first hit to you boys then. We chatted away for a couple of mins looking at each other's guide books laughing at the way the route differed in each guide. So we wished them good luck and off they went. A couple of young lads from Nottingham, uni boys having a great time.

He's away, shoes on the back for a nice comfy return to tea and cake at the bottom.

I set off about ten mins later, I waited for them to clear the first pitch then I was off. I ran out straight to the second pitch as it had a better belay stance and I didn't see the point in crouching on the first. I also had to pick my stances as john was not leading any pitches, he was second only so I needed space to manoeuvre and to hand over the anchor and belay plate.

Johns gurrring himself up for the big push. I am at the second belay, all tied in and I radio down to john. A lot nicer and a lot quieter than baulling down the crag, climbbbbbbbb ONNNNNN.

Johns just round the corner doing well.

Result, johns at the stance. So how was it, errrr, ok I suppose. The old voice said it all, bit more chit chat and I am setting up an abseil rope for the acent back to ground zero.

Abseil set, I am on the ground holding the ropes so john can just ab straight down and I'll control his decent if required. I also do him a nice little video of the route for keep sakes.

Oh well alls good, at least we are down safe and john has been honest with him self and me. I wouldn't want someone belaying me if they felt uncomfortable. So all in all a good result,then