Having reached halfway through autumn, a few noticeable differences are creeping into our early morning starts. The nights are cooling off, which means the rock during the first few lines can make the fingers feel a bit tingly. This is due to the rock having radiated out more of the heat it had captured the day before, and as such is colder to touch. But also, as these are quick fire sessions, we tend to jump on and start climbing before our blood circulation has increased. This makes the extremities, such as fingers, more vulnerable to feeling the cold:
On weekends we could start a bit later to least allow the air temperature to warm up. That would however result in missing out on the glorious spectacle of watching the world wake up. Friday driving up the hill for another before work climb, the sky had a big patch of cloud that looked like it was going to be set on fire as the sun worked its magic. It was not to be, but there was a bit of colour as the session started. This time with three, as Josh gate crashed the party. Having set himself a challenge meaning he needs to build up his contact time on rock:
He’s decided that by the time the year is out he wants to climb one grade 20 route clean, and now it is print there is no backing down. He has not gone so far as to say he needs to lead it, making it more realistic in view of his limited ability to get out. Today he joined us for the first two climbs. The first he went well on. While he persevered to get to the top of the second, the start gave him a bit of a spanking. Coming down toasted, he opted to head off for a run allowing Howsie and I to crank on a few routes at Josh’s desired grade and above:
The above route being the stiffest opposition that saw me fly a couple of times. Six routes down and it was time to get to work. But I was not done with the quarry walls yet, as a window of opportunity for a short session on Sunday arose. Rongy was keen but we needed to be back at a reasonable time. Later than when we squeeze in before work trips, so we had a slightly later start. Made a few minutes later when we got caught at the training crossing. And for the first time that I can recall we got caught at the crossing on the return trip too:
Arriving this time after the sun was up. It again felt cold in the quarry, so before hitting the walls we went to watch the mist drifting, swirling, and rising above the reservoir. Back at the walls, where the sun doesn’t reach, it felt like there was another sign of Autumn. The air felt damp. Fortunately the rock was mostly dry, so it didn’t hamper our climbing. Starting sensibly but keeping the momentum up, and throwing in a few more demanding routes as we went. Today’s tally was seven lines, and as weariness crept in we both got spat off the last line:
A sign to wrap up and Rongy was done. But I was keen to get it clean and as we had time I led it again, allowing me to even up my numbers. It was another two very successful and fun mornings at the dam, a place that never disappoints. Mind you I would say that about every place I climb at, so maybe I’m biased. Better still the old body held up well with two pretty demanding sessions, which is a great sign. While the changes Autumn brings are now being felt in earnest, I can safely say that there are no signs of the Autumn blues creeping in here:
Sandbagged 