Saturday was a beautiful day and I was fortunate to be able
to escape the city and head to Portland for a day of route climbing. A shortage
of partners and an abundance of rain have meant that my outdoor season has been
much compromised and this was only my 3rd day of routes this season.
A friend pointed me at Portland Heights . At 7a it is a
grade I should climb comfortably. However, it plays to most of my weaknesses –
sustained, thin with a technical crux. Fairly sparse bolting also adds a bit of
spice, especially for a mostly boulderer who hasn’t been up high for a while!
In the end though, the route showed how far my climbing has
come in the last year. There was a smoothness and agility to my movement on
rock which never was before, a quietness of mind and a confidence in the moves
which was intensely satisfying. As it happens, I only had time for one red point attempt and
fell when a misplaced left foot popped as I reached from the last difficult
hold to a jug. It really doesn’t matter. I had one of my best days out ever.
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