grit

I feel like I work too much, and that my job is more stressful than it ‘should’ be. Not the best time to be complaining about a job, and there are many reasons that I feel fortunate to have this job. One of those reasons is that I have spent the last ten days in Sheffield, and I managed to slip out for a couple afternoons to go and check out some peak district bouldering. The weather was typical i think, with heavy winds and some rain, but Stanage plantation provided plenty of dry rock climbs. This peak district bouldering mecca is closer to the city than I would have guessed, and only wish Leavenworth or Gold Bar were as close to Seattle.

The local climbing shop sits in an charming village called Hathersage about 10 minutes from the climbing parking lots. I picked up a guidebook and headed for the rocks. After a quick walkabout and inspection of the texture and quality of the grit stone, I was immediately impressed. I don’t know why my expectations were lower but I was anticipating larger grained, sharp and unpleasant rock. The texture is very fine, and the holds and moves reminiscent of sandstone blocs.

After cruising through the guidebook and looking around the area, I feel like Stanage is to Peak District as Forest Lands is to Leavenworth, only the very tip of the iceberg.

Some shitty photos and a link to a marvelous slab-dyno video by someone else…

Deliverance from Matthew Gaddes on Vimeo.