Rock Climbing
I took my first steps climbing in November of 2001 , an old friend suggested I
might like to try rock climbing as I have always loved the outdoors and done lots of hiking around the
fells in the lake district , I wasn't too sure I would be able to do it let alone enjoy it but as Dennis said
you live in the perfect area its
seems a shame you don't have a go , and as he was looking to get back into it he
would need a climbing partner
My first outing was with a visit to ccc in Sheffield whilst walking round the
outdoor shop my 2 kids suggested they would like to go climbing at the edge which is an indoor climbing
wall in the cc shop building anyway we signed them in and hired some gear and they had a great time
for the next couple of hours climbing in the lift shaft area , this was enough to convince me to at
least have a go next time and I bought a harness and a pair of rock boots the next week along with the kids and
Shirley
We had already done some messing around outside sort of bouldering on the rocks
of birchen and Curbar although the cold made it uncomfortable etc , we headed off to the edge and
despite my initial fear of the height etc we all learned the basics of climbing how to tie on a belay etc ,
after a short while I found I really liked this sport and started to visit the edge every weekend
My next purchase was a rope and an economical choice of a Mamut tusk was
purchased from the Jagged edge shop in the edge (Well Recommended) , as soon as the weather allowed we
made our way out doors to birchen edge and climbed green gully , Dennis led the climb I seconded and
everyone else climbed it too , it was a simple diif but it started a whole new addiction to me
The rock was freezing cold but I had found a new sport that was inexpensive,
close to my home , kept you fit and in shape and could be done almost every weekend and week night
........well almost training continued at the wall every weekend and sometimes on any other days off that I
could find and drag Shirley along to , as soon as the weather allowed we moved outside and in march I led my
first climb on Gardoms edge Apple Buttress a simple Diff but it was the first time I had place the pro
, the lovely shiny cams and nuts etc that were trusting lent to me by Dennis
Shortly after I realized that I was well and truly hooked and decided it was
time to bite the bullet and buy some of my own gear and so I bought a set of HB Flex stem cams , locking krabs
and some Lyon deama slings from Needlesports , half a dozen quick draws to compliment the
DMM nuts I
had received for Xmas , with a few other bits , one sunny evening in may Shirley and I set off for my
first lead with my own gear without my regular experienced climbing partner Dennis
