Change of pace

I can’t conclusively say my hair of the dog remedy yesterday worked.  True my arms were not as achy at the start of today as they were on Friday.  This may however have resulted from the muscles having naturally repaired themselves sufficiently for the achiness to subside.  The arms seemed to feel ready for another trip out, but my head was feeling a bit groggy.  Yet another saying that is linked to alcohol, this time originating from the substance itself.  Grog being the rum, which was diluted with water, that sailors in the 1700s commonly drank:

Feeling groggy is used to indicate a state of disorientation when your brain doesn’t seem to want to function.  I’m happy to report my state of grogginess had nothing to do with alcohol, and was more likely due to sleep inertia and possibly being a little low on energy.  With luck the sleep initiated state of mind would be shaken soon enough, which had possibly been exacerbated by getting up for yet another first light start.  We didn’t start climbing at first light, although Craig, David did step over the style at the car park as the sky began to light up:

In fact, what with the walk in, ablution pit stop, general phaffing about getting ready, and a bit of chit chat with Mario and Adrian when they arrived not too long after us, daylight was well and truly upon by the time David finally started up the first route.  He seemed keen to have a lead having already set his mind on the climb of choice.  However, after placing the first piece of gear and then needing to run it out a bit before more gear came into sight. it was his turn for his brain to not want to play ball.  It felt like it was going to be a slow day:

I’ve previously mentioned David’s psychological barrier, which he has not been able to fully shake.  Instead of fighting it he came down, offering Craig the lead.  Meanwhile, Adrian was also battling with his mind.  He and Mario had packed in a big day at Bobs Hollow yesterday on steep limestone sport routes.  Weary from that, he struggled to commit to the crux at the top of the route.  Instead sneakily escaping off to the right.  Something I caught Peter doing in early December, when he admitted having never topped out over the headwall:

Peter’s name came up a second time when I pointed Mario to line I thought he may enjoy, which he was unaware existed.  While I have only climbed with Peter for just over a year, I first heard from him just shy of ten years back when I was pulling together information for the local climbing guide.  Peter told me about a long forgotten climb that he had been involved in establishing.  Making use of two existing routes, linking them via a steep and exciting traverse.    Mario’s brain was firing as usual on all four, if not six cylinders, but other things plagued him:

He was picking the harder lines and it was a little sticky today, not a great combination here.  While he rated the climb, he had to resolve to not getting it clean.  The crew got bigger when Steve and Ange turned up.  The last time Steve and I caught up was just over three years back, and I was pleased to say that his brain was also working just fine.  Enjoying clean ascents helped by, like Craig, choosing moderate routes, unlike Mario.  It was turning into a bit of a social event, and as predicted we were not moving particularly fast:

Craig and I alternated leads, with a fair bit of inaction in-between.  This would normally irk me, instead I refocused my attention by scampering about taking images.  My sleep inertia was long forgotten, but the stickiness that was Mario’s undoing was not helping my energy levels.  Something that I really started to notice when I jumped on my second lead.  One of my more gnarly traditional creations.  Nervous moves in exposed positions, somewhat above the gear placements.  Making the risk of a fall that bit more of serious a consideration:

It certainly had me on edge, but this is the stuff I relish as it hones your focus.  Forcing you to switch off all the other things your brain may be trying to multitask on, including depleting energy levels, and only think about one thing.  Pulling off the moves, which thankfully I did.  Craig, David and I only racked up four climbs.  We were however not alone and everyone else also seemed to be going in slow motion.  I guess there are some days when you just have to accept the change of pace, kick back, and just enjoy being in such an amazing place: