Classic Rock Challenge

When I started the ‘Lake District Classic Rock’ challenge I knew very little about climbing, the gear, the skills or anything really about the sport itself and over the past 6 months I have been on a huge journey of learning and adventure.

I’ve learnt climbing and movement skills, trusting my feet, maximising my holds, how a slight twist of the hip can dramatically increase my reach. I’ve learnt about different types of climbing, the grading systems and about different rock types. I’ve learnt about the gear, placement and removal, how to manage the rope and how to read topo’s and route find. I’ve learnt that there’s a big psychological element to climbing and I’ve learnt to challenge myself and to be courageous despite my fears.

Most significantly, I’ve really learnt to love the sport… something I wasn’t expecting.

If you’ve read my learning to climb blog, you will know that I entered into this challenge in a task orientated mind-set… “I want to return to the Alps and rock climbing in my weakness so I need to learn some rock climbing skills.” That was my driver…

The Classic Rock route challenge was Ade's idea; I do love a tick list… a micro challenge, something to work my way through and so I embraced this challenge, blindly, but wholeheartedly!

You don’t know what you don’t know… and I didn’t know what I was getting myself into!

Something that I really enjoyed doing as part of this challenge, was getting home after the climbs, and reading through the Classic Rock route description of the route I had just completed; reliving the day and the climb… sometimes it almost felt as though the author and I had climbed it together. I felt bonded by our experiences as I read the words written by strangers, many years before, but that could well have been spoken today.

The history of the pioneer climbers and their routes and accomplishments are brought to life in the Classic Rock book, with snippets and stories about rock climbing in the 18 and 1900’s, the ‘banter’ between climbers and the talk of illegitimate methods such as the use of ropes!

Visiting these places, climbing these routes, I was returning home with a familiarity… and reading these stories added a level of intimacy to the experience, a real connection with the places and with rock.

Over the course of the last 6 months, I have faced my fears and I have pushed through them. I have worked through problems to figure out solutions rather than resorting to an ‘I can’t do it’ attitude. Through my tears I have told myself 10 times that rock climbing just isn’t for me, and in the post climb high I’ve told myself 11 times that it is… I have persevered when I thought I couldn’t and in doing so I’ve found a sport that challenges me physically, mentally and emotionally and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!

Before finishing the 15th route I had already decided that I couldn't stop there, I've ticked off three Classic Rock routes in Cornwall and I plan to continue to work my way through the book...

I couldn't have done it without the guidance, support and nurturing of Ade, who seemingly has the patience of a saint... thank you!

Also a huge thank you to Go Outdoors who very kindly supported me in this challenge and kitted me out with everything I needed for these adventures and many more!

I'm so excited for the adventures ahead!