Indoor climbing

OK I'll get picture of locations and send them when I'm back

Wow, that's pretty awesome. You need to meet my missus, she's
a) always climbing at the Reach and the Arch
and b) wanting to change her career into something that involves making shit. Would be ace for her to see someone who builds her hobby, i think!

Cool, does she cycle? Would be good to get you both along for the next Arch climbing ride.

Comp wall was reset the other day at the Castle. Plenty of hard as shit problems to play with and fall off.

On the plus side, I cracked a V5 I'd been struggling with yesterday. Did it three times in a row just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Nice bit of progress - it was one of those ones where you keep trying and failing one day and then flash the next. Sometimes it just works like that.

Still haven't climbed with any of you lot yet...

Good work, consistent v5 is a dream right now but my trad game is coming along nicely.
Should do another climbing holiday next summer. Portland a few years ago was rad.
Depending on weather il either be at the Castle or Fairy Cave Quarry in Bath on sunday if anyone wants to tag along?

I haven't been for a couple of weeks. We're moving house in the next week and haven't had time for anything but logistical stuff.

I can already feel how bad my next climb will be.

V5 is impressive. I reckon I'm climbing a Castle grade below you at my best.

Hard Moves at The Arch were pretty fun this morning. Though I only managed a couple! :)

To be fair, Castle grading is really variable, depending on who set the routes. I can do a few of the V5s but get spat-off some weird V3s...

We're moving soon as well so we can swap :)

Where are you heading? I may be starting to use the (SE) Arch more regularly than the Castle.

Nah, hardly at all, despite my trying to persuade her!

Anyone fancy Arch North on Sunday? Kazakh and I riding up from Daslton at 9am.

I'm nowhere near you london types anymore, but did a flash comp the other week here in sunny Exeter, didn't win but didn't come last either, so that was nice.

And in more stunningly uninteresting news, it turns out I'm no longer afraid of heights. After about 8 years of regular bouldering and barely any rope climbing (due to heights) I've joined a mate for a few eves on ropes and suddenly, without any cajoling or stress whatsoever, my rope game is way strong. So that's nice.

Rope climbing is still, and will remain, secondary to bouldering though.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAMri29n-h-/

Finally ready for the top coat of paint on the two new islands at Bermondsey. Really fun to build as we got to make it up as we went along, with some input from the setters. The paint company sent the wrong paint a week late, so sorry about the delay...

Nice!! I may be heading down on Friday daytime if anyone's about?

When is it supposed to be up and running?

It's a very durable oil paint that takes a week to cure. They are setting it on Monday, so it should be ready Monday evening. It may take a while to set the whole thing, so if you don't want to be disappointed, play it safe and come Tuesday. Centre is open from Midday.

Going for a decent daytime session at the Castle on Friday if anyone's about.

Fun leading session at the castle today despite the epic crowds.
Haven't climbed indoors in a long long time, too many people, much chalk dust in the air but still had fun. LadyLiz lead her first 6a+ and got most of the way up an overhung 6b as well. Pretty chuffed with what we both managed.

Does anyone have any size 13/12.5 (UK) climbing shoes. Looking to get into it a bit more and shoes are quite essential. Not looking to spend much.

Anyone ever climb at The Reach, Woolwich?

Not yet. I've heard that it's quiet.

Yes, it never gets busy like the arch or the castle. I have only bouldered there so far, I have a new harness on order. The bouldering is interesting, the structures have alot of opportunities for varied moves, lots of corners, little roofs, and changes of angle. The grades are not as clearly and carefully spaced as the arch. It definitely has the best (home baked) cakes and food in general of any climbing centre.

The roped climbing is also really varied, and the warehouse space is much more open and nicer to be in than the castle. Can get cold though.

CAKES?!!! I'm there.

Heading to the castle after work today. Anyone around for a bit of bouldering?

Avon gorge tomorrow for meandering multi-pitch fun in the sunshine. Win.
Castle can bounce now spring is here!!!!