Arco Rock Master and back to Wales

BUMP! I am back in Llanberis after a quick visit to Germany for the OutDoor tradeshow and then on to Arco in Italy for the Rockmaster competition. After perfect weather and Euro cragging surrounded by gorgeous people and having the time of my life, Llanberis in the drizzle is looking remarkably grey!

The boys in beris decided that although I hadn’t slept and had had an epic drive back, what I needed was to go straight down the Lleyn, with beer, and do a bit of soloing! Gotta love Llanberis!

The soloing didn’t go too well, so after a few ups and downs, snapping holds and generally thinking a 50ft fall on to rocks wasn’t looking great, I reversed the large roof and led a pleasant E2 instead, trying to remember how to trad climb as I went.

Here is a photo of ‘Sam the sexy log man’ on a nice looking E3 from that day.

Sam the sexy log man on some pile of choss. What a punter.

I am psyching up for a big lead on the Lleyn though, as it has now been almost a year since I hung up my choss hat. The time has come to put that hat firmly back on! Bring on the looseness. I’ll post up here if I ever man up enough to get something done.

But anyway: the Arco rockmaster was great. Super hot, great for getting sun burnt, not so great for the competitors. I managed to climb only a couple of routes, as I was very busy at the competition and also on the jury for the Rockmaster awards, but still I was happy with my climbing performance, being able to flash 7c in VERY sweaty conditions without too much bother. I also climbed a great multipitch route too.

A few photos from the rockmaster are below. I put a report on UKC with general photos, so here are a few of people I was with on the trip.

Dave Pickford in Arco - Climb Magazine

Niall Grimes in Arco - mainly for the pizza and beer!

Alex Messenger from Summit magazine

Sarah from Klettern.de

Ralph from Klettern Magazine