Summer 2020

It was a relieve to have the sun shining and things were looking up from what it was for the last few weeks of lockdown. Summer plans were bleak, not knowing what will be allowed and what restrictions will be in place but travel abroad was definitely out of the question.

Bright longer days were without a doubt better than the short ones with hard to catch sunshine while working at home all day. It was time to plan and get some exposure to the outdoor activities while all indoor climbing centres were still closed to public. So, climbing trip?

A few of us decided to head out to the Lake District when some of the restrictions were lifted, excited and hoped for a good week of climbing. It was a known fact that the Lakes do get a lot of downpours because of its location and the influence of the sea, particularly the Gulf Stream. There are more wet days than dry ones at the Lakes, so we were lucky that we managed to climb half of the time we were there and when we couldn’t, we went walking and hiking.

Since some of the restrictions were still in place, there weren’t many places available for us to stay in. YHA Borrowdale came with an idyllic setting, next to a river with a fire pit for us to use in the evening. The rooms were still out of bounds due to COVID and the only option available was landpod. It turned out to be a nice base for us to drive out to crags and there were trails around the area that start just a few paces from our landpod, although the sleeping arrangement was a bit less than desirable since there were four of us.

Before lockdown, I was dealing with my fear of exposure and falling due to series of events, and I knew it was time to take a step forward to regain my confidence. Daunting thought since lockdown means no climbing training and no climbing full stop, so I didn’t know what to expect. Beautiful lines, I thought to myself…beautiful lines, look for the beauty in nature’s architecture and climb it.

The first couple of days were for me to acclimatise myself with the rocks, it’s been a while and there’s no need to rush progress. It was the last climb day at the Lakes, I spotted the ONE, beautifully formed and calling me to climb it. Son of Oz (HS), a line with everything that I needed for an amazing first lead on trad after a long time. It was my style of climbing with bridge and layback moves, secure footing for placement and it gave me the confidence to deal with a bit of a runout in one of the sections. I think I’ve got my mojo back, my inner self stated.

Weather didn’t look good for the last day, so we decided to leave early and head down to Symonds Yat for a short climb session before going back to London. I led my second trad climb, Golden Fleece (HS), after a long drive down from the Lakes and that was it…a new beginning, a new chapter, a new leaf and now, I just need to find a way to harness it and progress from there.

That was the start of the season, I was adamant to spend more time outdoor after being confined for a few months. Though home was a nice place to spend the lockdown, my travel bug was nibbling at me, itching me to go and experience other places. And so I did.

I spent a couple of days in Dartmoor, visiting a friend that I haven’t seen for a long time and we wild camp, spent valuable quality time immersed in deep conversations on life and life experiences, past and present, and what the future may hold. Although I’m very comfortable in my own company but I do miss times like these, where nothing matters but the company that I’m with and nature’s serenity.

Since the Lakes, it was trip after trip out to various places including Harrisons Rock, Wintour Leap and also Symonds Yat, building on the confidence, skills, techniques and knowledge on climbing outdoors, especially for trad climbing. One of the best climbs of the season was in Symonds Yat, the Pinnacle and the climb, Whitt (VS 4c), finishes at the top of the pinnacle with a view of the valley and the river Wye while I belayed my partners. Though I was rained on midway through the climb but I was surprisingly fit and confident with what I could do to complete the climb with ease.

With every setback, there’s a way to recover and the trick is to find the way that works because circumstances will change the thought process, emotions will drive different outcomes and physical reactions will push the limit of the body’s coping mechanism. It’s something that I’ve learnt and practiced with climbing, the solution is always different and the ability to creatively adapt is vital for a successful recovery and to progress.

The leaves were changing when I looked out the window one morning, cold season setting in…something wicked this way come, I thought. Premonition? Or maybe it’s just Halloween…