In reply to Jack Geldard - Editor - UKC:
"are actually climbed for the sheer joy of being out there, for the push to the limit, for finding liberation, for screaming f*ck-off to a cotton-wool society..."
Hear hear
after a week of sharing with some pretty cool foreign visitors the best and boldest of British trad climbing, and debating bolts vs gear ad nauseum, I have had plenty of time to vocalise what keeps me climbing.
1) It is the only time I can't think about work/patients/operating.
2) That feeling you get where the gear runs out and you have to keep it all together and make the move, whatever move at whatever grade, must get this right, or learn to fly, and the icy calm that takes over as you move; survived, again.
3) All the other best moments, banter on the ledge with your mates, evening sun, puffins diving, low tide, bliss.
There is a lot of tosh talked about climbing, gradism, elitism, training and all the time the "adventure" crags are getting quieter as more folk head to Malham or even to the indoor wall on a summer evening.
Suits me, but which sport are they playing?
Logos, sponsors, pot noodle numbers, photos, kit.....who cares?