My thoughts are slow and sluggish but it’s 7.45am, I’m at the cove and it’s one of those days when everything feels like hard work. I try and wake up by getting on the traverse but after yesterday’s dawn session at Chudleigh my skin feels like it’s on fire. I move round to the sloper traverse in the hope that it won’t hurt as much and that I’ll warm up, which I do, slowly.
... my skin hurts...
Though it's gloomy over Anstey's the view out to sea takes
my breath away; a container ship sits out in the bay silhouetted against the
early morning sunshine that breaks through the layer of cloud in rays
covering the scene in a soft orange glow.
... it’s beautiful
here...
Under Ferocity Wall the cold easterly wind whips
along the base of the cliff stealing the last of my psyche and body heat but we
set up anyway as there’s not a lot else to do. I put the clips in Tuppence trying
to link sections of the route but the moves feel hard today, especially compared
to my last session. On Sunday, back on the project after 3 weeks away I felt fit
and strong, possibly the strongest I’ve ever felt on the route; today, however, every
move is a challenge.
... but so cold...
After a stint of belaying I’m climbing again, trying to
ignore the pain but each hold bites into my skin like a piranha, if my fingers
pop off a hold the pain increases leaving me hanging on the rope cursing
quietly but the move at the bottom of the route is the worst. The big slap to a
razor sharp hold requires all-or-nothing commitment, I settle for neither and
my fingers catch but don’t quite hold the edge...
...*&@%!...
Thought it feels unusually hard and painful today, somehow
it’s still worth it; every move I try and make with tired arms and worn-out
skin will feel easier next time, at least I hope it will! Despite it all it
feels great to sneak in a climb before a full day’s work, like I’ve manage to
cheat the system just a little.
... I wouldn’t miss this
for the world.
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