Unlike many other people's first leads, mine was one full of lies and deceit....

"Muuum"

"Yes dear?"

"Can I go walking with Kieran today? We'll just catch the bus out to the Fox House; will be back before its dark."

"Ok, make sure you're safe!"

"OK mum... " I said innocently, grabbing my unusually large bag for a days walk in the middle of summer.

Finally! I'd been planning this for the last couple of days; eventually I could get some 'real' climbing done, and my 'it's too dangerous' parents were none the wiser.

To be honest, although it was fantastic weather, which I find special every time I'm out in the Peak, the day was nothing out of the ordinary. There were no birds singing louder or rocks sparkling in the sunlight any more then usual. We hopped off the bus at the pub, making a few comments about having a well deserved pint-or-three after a days climbing, and set off on our unnecessarily long walk in to Burbage Bridge then on past the popular end of Stanage. Dumping our bags down we excitedly glanced at the well-thumbed pages of the guidebook. Kieran danced up a couple of routes, in the fantastic mid-summer sunshine, then handed me the guidebook, pointed at a route and instructed me to get my arse up it.

Racking up I was looking at the route, it didn't look hard, in fact it was only a Severe 4a, but I was well up for it. At this point in a lot of accounts people talk about their elvis impersonations and anticipation, the only emotion I felt was how much I wanted to get on the rock! Im sure it's all I've ever wanted to do. Setting off I climbed a little way then found a nice-looking placement for one rock or another, so extended it and kept climbing.

I remember a soloist coming and soloing four routes by the time I'd reached this point, ones we had looked at in the guidebook and 'one day'd'. Talk about awe!

Back to the route. Unfortunately, due to my lack of experience I had no idea about the amount of drag you get from having a single rope on a wonky line, especially if you don't extend the runners enough. Big problem when I got to the last move, a big one where I had to hup my foot over the top of the rock. By this point I was literally having to pull the rope out behind me to move anywhere, so in order to make the move I had to pull a couple of meters of slack out. It was then I got that niggling feeling..

"Umm, Kieran? I, urmmm." Dam, he can't hear me.

Anyway, I lunged over the top making the move easily.

Sitting at the top belaying Kieran up the route I was so happy. It was just fantastic. You know what I mean, you've all felt it.

*back at home*
I walk in the front door with a slight swagger and a massive grin on my face, scratches covering the insides of my arms..

"How was your walk Rach?"

"My walk?? Oh, yeah, great mum, best ever. "

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Write approximately 500 words about your first outdoor lead and supply an image of you climbing (not necessarily your first lead) and submit to: http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/send.html

The competition will be judged by us here at DMM and the winner announced on Monday 24th December and will win a complete DMM rack worth £500.

But more than that, everyone who submits an essay will receive a spot prize.

More details HERE