First sun of the year so first day at the crag!

I’m so happy that the weather is warm over half term this week. It’s been ages since I last climbed outdoors and I was hoping to get on some rock this holiday. On Tuesday it was super hot so we headed out to the Peak District.

I got a new rope for Christmas and I’ve been dying to try it out, so I chose to go sport climbing at Horseshoe Quarry. It was so amazing to be on the limestone in the sunshine in February and reminded me how much I love climbing outdoors.

I didn’t break any records with 6b being my hardest top but I was also setting ropes for my parents and brother to climb on – they’re not confident clipping outdoors yet! But I had a great day and can’t wait to go out again. Bouldering next time I think!

Back in the British Climbing Team!

Last weekend was the first GB Team training of the year. As we were in Kendal for the first time, I was worried it would be cancelled when I read it could snow. Luckily, it turned out to be OK and it didn’t even rain!

Lots of changes this year for the team. New coaches and new faces and I’m so glad to not be the smallest any more!! I did know some of the new coaches as I've been bouldering at Stannage with Jon and trad climbed with Jay in Devon and it was good to see the ones from last year again like Ian, Lucinda, Tim and Suzan.

It was a great weekend and fun to climb with my friends from around the country again. Kendal Wall’s via ferrata was loads of fun for our team building exercise and I went around two times! We spent a day on routes and a day on bouldering – onsighted my first v7, yay!

I was told that my flexibility and climbing form had really improved since last year too – it’s really helpful to have earlier measurements to look at.

Can’t wait until Mile End Wall next month!

A busy but brilliant year!

I set myself three goals for 2018 to help me take my climbing to the next level. I achieved all of them and am now thinking about new challenges for 2019. A busy but enjoyable year and really looking forward to climbing with my friends and teams, both at Depot Climbing and GB, next year. And particularly to getting on the rock outside as much as I can. Check out some of my personal highlights below.

Bring it on 2109!

Aim 1: Climb for my country

I’ve never trained so hard in my life, including loads of conditioning and more days a week, but it paid off at selection and I was invited to be the youngest member of the GB Team.

I was nervous, especially the first time I competed wearing my official kit – talk about painting a target on your back! But I really enjoyed every minute of it and went back for 2019 selection and made it.

Aim 2: Focus on outdoor climbing

Climbing is my life, though not just competitions. My parents are supportive but not experienced outdoors, but I wanted to be able to climb well outdoors by the end of the summer. I did this with a big thanks to James McHaffie, BMC, DMM and everyone who spent time with me this year and helped me to become a confident outdoor climber. 

A big highlight was spending a week at the end of May bouldering in Fontainebleau with friends from The Depot Squad, organised by Dave Farrell. Massive amounts of fun.

Aim 3: Compete internationally

Smashed this! The season started in Austria right after Font at the Imst Youth Colour Festival then back at the start of July for the Petzen Climbing Trophy. Just a shame I had to go back to school for 10 days afterwards before jumping on the ferry again to Tout à Bloc in L’Argentière-la-Bessée, France. I wanted to do this competition as it uses a different scoring format and you need to be more tactical.

From there we crossed a few borders to Italy into Arco for the final international of the year at the Rock Master Festival Junior Cup. I learnt so much through these competitions, they were so much fun and I’m coming back stronger than ever!