Ben and I went back to Stanage Plantation to try out his new bouldering mat.
As you can see, it's rather large; great once you get it to the crag, but a pig to fit in the car!!
The route for which he is preparing is called 'Not to be Taken Away!'. Climbers choose the oddest names!
He worked the problem a few times and eventually mastered all of the moves to get to the top. The upper section was quite straightforward but the bottom was rather tricky. I couldn't take photos of the lower part because I was too busy 'spotting' (just in case he fell off).
He spotted the pointing camera :)
We were careful not to be caught out by the locked gate this time. I wouldn't want to have to disturb the very kind man again!!
I'm offering this for Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday, where the letter of the week is S for Stanage Plantation.
Good Catch but what is a bouldering mat?
ReplyDeleteBouldering is lower level climbing without the aid of ropes; often, but not exclusively, done on boulders. His bouldering mat is that huge lime green thing in the first photo. It helps to protect the ground around the boulder; it enables climbers to keep their climbing shoes free from dirt or dust, so that the sticky rubber actually works, and it protects the faller from any nasty rocks which may be waiting to break bones or cause other unwelcome injury. In the penultimate photo, he has it folded up and is carrying it on his back.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good idea to me - maybe for a lie-down afterwards....
ReplyDeleteI have a nephew who is into all kinds of climbing, including bouldering. I had no idea they sold mats! I'm so relieved to hear that! My aunt (who is 63 and took up rock climbing when she was 57) and her husband climb in a climbing gym twice a week. They've taken my boys several times. YellowBoy loves it, Jake is done. Nick climbs in gyms, but goes to school in Boulder, CO. As you probably know, lots of places to plunge to your death if you are so inclined ;-) Do they have climbing gyms in the UK?
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge
I am glad I read the comment because I too was wondering what a bouldering mat is... I am happy to hear it is to help protect the ground around the boulder and the climbers.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
Tell the truth, it's an old mattress with a fancy cover on, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLove that shot where he's reaching the top. Did you go up too?
ReplyDeleteThrough my anonymous proxy, the page opened up at a centipedal crawl while I sat in anti-i-icipa-a-ation to learn what a bouldering mat is! Cool! Your 2nd shot is awesome, H. You wouldn't catch me up there climbing the boulder.
ReplyDeleteIs this the same Stanage that has a railway tunnel? I remember going through that as a child.
ReplyDeleteAs for the climbing, I really don't know how your nerves stand the strain!
Looks like an awesome place to climb. Good for him for mastering it!
ReplyDeleteOh, so that's what a bouldering mat is!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun skill to learn! My son likes climbing, too.
That is so cool! I could do this if I wasn't up too high! I'm visiting from Alphabe Thursday by the way, Have a great weekend, Nan
ReplyDeleteBrave boy you got there... I wish I had the nerve. That last pic is a beauty:-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you explained bouldering and the bouldering mat. I practically live at sea level and we don't even have little rocks or stones...no less a boulder. That's a new hobby to me.
ReplyDeleteOh hooray.
ReplyDeleteI am reading a book about rock climbers right now and this super post really brought the visuals to life for me!
What fun!
Love the expression on his face...do male beings every not make weird faces for the camera?
ha!
Thanks for the smile!
This was superb!
A+