Lough Dan

A great day out in Lough Dan today, I have never been so I was unsure of what to expect. Mark also said he had never been but this turned out to be a lie and he had indeed been before - lucky really as it turned out the rest of the group are in capable of reading the guide! Its an amazing area, the scenery was great and the fact that there is a longish walk in made it more worthwhile. There was even a wade across a river! The recent snow and rain made this an interesting prospect but it wasn't too bad. Warmed up on what we think was a 6a ripper traverse. Dec and I then did the sit start which was supposed to be 7a. If we were on the right bloc I think it is a lot less than the given grade but good none the less. Then to the recommended Shadow - Dec did it first go, I had a few more attempts but got it in the end. I found the top out rather tasty, thought there should be a thank god hold but there wasn't. I really enjoyed the doc bloc problem - we were unsure if it was the right or left side of the arete so we did both. Looked at a possible line to the left of Shadow, pretty burly - a bit like hugging a fridge!
Finished up on Karma, a lovely problem but I was spent and it took me ages. Again a possible sit start but my fingers hurt when ever I touched anything, ah well there is always next time.

Ann made stew for dinner which was great and she made enough for 2 meals which sucks as it means I didn't get to keep eating it. Back to work tomorrow that was my Easter!

Dear diary

Bad weather this week has really hampered my ability to get out, however I did get to the Scalp with Davo on Wednesday. The rock was dry but I found it very cold and it took ages for my fingers to warm up. Tried Holly tree roof, this felt really doable using the blind slap method although there does seem to be a big crack running along the back but with that it's a lot easier. Did a nice line Dave showed me as well which is very much like problem 21 in the guide to Glendalough.

Tuesday was a torrid day in the coop - I got really frustrated on Barry/Eoin's Problem being unable to get much past the start, where previously I have consistently got further. Suffice to say after an hour I got in a big mood and stopped climbing. It also showed me how banter unfit I was. I must try and remember how to block Bray's voice out out when I'm climbing!

Thursday's wall session was good but still failed on the above problem but did at last manage Chris's traverse, not using Dec's ridiculous campus technique but sneaking in a heel hook. Then pints which makes a nice change. Only down side was everyone else going on about their long weekend while I'm working like a sucker.

Ran around UCD on Wednesday in the sun which was nice, the longer evenings are great. Starting to feel like I'm plateauing across running and climbing at the moment. Find it hard to pick up my pace, I'm by no means tired at the end of the run but I can't get myself to go faster. I just drift off into my own little world. Thinking of changing my runs, I like the idea of a run up to three rock from home. Pretty much uphill all the way, that should shock the crap out of my body! Also trying to think of a short run that I would hit at pace and go all out.

No real shocking out burst for you at the moment, just find everything equally grating!

So long

Apologies been really busy/lazy of late and to be honest I have had to force myself to blog tonight.



Things I've done,

Got married.

Went on honeymoon and only got 2 climbing days out of 10 in a very snowy Font.

Skied in Austria wich was great and I progressed on to the black runs.

Stayed in the alleged most romantic hotel in Salzburg.

Ran from Dun laoghaire to Howth after work. Now they call me forest, it took 2hours 18 min the last kilometer taking over 6 min's.

Went climbing outside 4 times in a week with clever use of evenings and days off.

Met Micheal O'D and went to the meet. climbed in a new area of Glendalough really enjoyed the white stick problem and will go back for dark arts. Electric mountain was good to I liked the rock there even if I was too tired to pull on much.



Problems I'd like to complete before the crappy summer weather kicks in,

The egg ss

Pascals

Andy's aret ss

The problem on the rasher boulder Glenmac (7b)

Possibly the fin, although Im not really overly psyched by this.



6ish weeks of cool weather to make it happen. also looking forward to the Arran islands cant wait to trial the new tent.



Ill try and be more regular from now on.