I'd been climbing for around a year when two friends invited me to Wharncliffe crags for some trad climbing. I turned up late, well into the afternoon, suffering from too many shandys the night before. On arrival, I was baited into a solo. With no more than 2 top-roped grit climbs under my belt, I began my ascent. The route: Suspense (VS 5b) is well named, since the last move of the 6m climb is the only place for gear. Using the good break I carefully reached for the top, mantled and finished the climb.
Now for my next route, one that was worth placing gear on, Puttrel's Progress (S 4c).
I prepared, meticulously racking my gear. I had been building to the moment of my first trad lead. I was ready.
I moved off the floor and began to climb. The rock wasn't just warm, it was baking hot. That and the nerves were making me sweat so much that no amount of chalk would dry my hands. I traversed, and prepared to place my first wire. With frantic efforts I attempted to seat the wire. Finally it bit, but by this stage I was so scared that I was shaking and couldn't clip the draw. I moved into a cave and hid. I clipped and rested.
I don't remember much of the rest of the climb, but I did finish it clean with no falls, lucky since I'm certain none of the gear would have held. Anyway, now I've done some 40 trad routes in little over 4 months and I've got to say, I love it!
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