It's only a grade.... or is it?

The plan was to go to Aviemore but due to the bad weather forecast (snow and -7 degrees! brrrr....) and the bouldering competition being held there we decided to go to Inverness instead. I thought it would perhaps be quiet there but there was still a good crowd when we arrived. Luckily most of them left so there was plenty choice when it came to choosing routes.

Did a good few climbs on top rope and led three. It's going good :-)! The first two climbs were 6b. While the start went ok, I got a bit nervous coming near the the top where the wall was more overhanging and didn't feel brave enough to go for it risking coming off. Stupid really, this is where I should go for it. Neither did I want to hang about too long wasting energy, so continued on 'any hold' which was graded 6a. I really need to build up some stamina for this game. Maybe doing a kickboxing turn-up every day is not such a bad idea... It doesn't take long but it just doesn't happen outside the studio. One of these big ideas that never happen because there are simply more fun things to do, like eating chocolate...

But back to the action, I was well chuffed with the last climb in the right hand corner of the wall. I wasn't too keen on leading it because it looked tricky with the sloping wall next to it. But the more you think the less you do, so just had to get on with it. And I'm glad I did. It was another 6b and all went smooth until I struggled to reach the last hold. However after some guidance from Dave to bring the arm down in front of the body and then bringing it straight up in front (rather than out to the left of the body and up) which lengthens the body that extra inch, managed it fine and finished the climb. We drove home very happy again.

This weekend MMC weekend in Ballachulish. Not sure how much hill walking we'll be able to do. There has been a lot of snowfall over the last few days and as there already have been a few avalanches at Glencoe this winter, we won't be taking any risks. Whatever we end up doing, I'm sure it will be great, so watch this space!