What Climbing Means To Me By Adventures With Dicken

When I was 18, I was in a car accident.  As a result, I was put into a medically induced coma for 7 days, underwent several lifesaving surgeries and spent 5 weeks in a hospital bed. Coming to terms with the life changing effects of this traumatic event took time. 

During this time, I found a love for climbing in the mountains.  I was always active as a kid, I skateboarded for many years and climbing felt so natural.  People climb for different reasons; fitness, competition, being outdoors or being in a strong community.  For me there are many details that make climbing such a crucial aspect of my life. 

Climbing is the time that I have complete, uninterrupted focus.  There is nothing more engaging than figuring out the crux sequence, last protection below your feet.  The feeling is so consuming that nothing else matters, just the connection to the rock through my toes and fingertips.  

It is not only the act of climbing that makes it so special.  I cherish the opportunity to get my waterproofs on and walk through the woods and local quarries with friends, finding potential routes.  I have spent several afternoons cleaning crags that are being overtaken by the ever-encroaching ivy, eyeing up routes that I can come back to on a dry day.  Even when I am not at a crag, there is acres of reading material, new guides to flick through, spotting lines that standout to me and making note of them.  

The time spent in local crags, developing my rock-climbing skills, is fundamental in being proficient and performing in the mountains, spending long days carrying heavy gear and climbing big routes.  During the summer, a friend and I had a free weekend, so we packed our gear and drove to North Wales.  In a day we climbed 2 classic routes up the East face of Tryfan: Pinnacle Rib and Grooved Arete.  We climbed quickly, linking pitches, embracing the exposure of these magnificent routes.  At the top of the first, we ran down the mountain to start the second, climbing nearly 400 meters.  All the hard work and training had paid off, meaning we could truly appreciate these classic mountain routes. 

Time in the mountain has not been as regular as I want it to be, so I train hard, dedicating time to the finger board, improving my technique at local crags and many hours running on trails.  All so when I am in the environment in which I thrive, I can perform at my best.

For more blogs from Adventures With Dicken: www.adventureswithdicken.co.uk

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