Smart Climbing Workshop film clip and photos

 Its been an exciting weekend!  Firstly, there has been lots of snow, so I dug out my winter boots and went up Elidir Fawr on Saturday.  It was pretty cloudy up top, but it felt good getting out for a walk, and reminded me how much I enjoy the mountains here.

Secondly, the final editing etc has been completed on the DVD clip, filmed during the summer open workshop.  I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and who so graciously allowed us to film them!  The footage is lovely, and I think conveys the friendly side of the workshop, as well as a taster of the exercises covered.  Also a big thank you to Ray Wood and Ray Saunders, of 2rays Productions for their filming, editing and production. I am really chuffed with the end product.  Click here to view on Vimeo (if you have a fast connection try in HD) or here to view on YouTube (better for iphone or if you have a slower connection).

Thirdly, I am hoping I can link you here to some photos taken by journalist Sarah Stirling who covered the weekend for us.  She wrote a great article about the workshop in Outdoor Enthusiast (see earlier post), and has some lovely photos taken during the weekend.

I will be off skiing for a week on 26/12, so I would like to wish you all a peaceful Christmas break, and happy climbing in 2010.

Rebecca

Sunny North Wales

This morning I did a friend a favour and acted as guinea pig for her aerobics instructing exams.  After 2 classes I definitely could feel the burn (!), but with the weather so lovely today I really wanted a climb.

I hooked up with a friend and headed to the RAC boulders near Capel Curig, where the front faces were in full sun.  Having not climbed outside for 2 months, I didnt expect much, but the problems I tried have become so well rehearsed over the years that I had no problem completing them.

Round the back however it was a different matter - no sun and the rock was icy cold, and I quickly had freezing hands and a cold pump - yuk!  If you are like me and have poor circulation, then the common wisdom that friction improves when its cold makes very little odds, as hands and body cool too quickly to make use of it!

Hoping for a bike ride tomorrow morning before the weather closes in again - have been working on my cardio for the last couple of weeks in an effort to get ready for some winter routes.  

Enjoy the sun :)

cross training pays

Had a funny week this week, which has meant its been difficult to get to the wall to climb.  Instead, I have managed to squeeze in a run, quick hilly bike ride, dance class, aerobics class and a good stretching session.  How do I feel?  Pretty well worked out all over!  Its good to do something different, exercise different combinations of muscles and give the brain a break from the usual routine. As a result I am itching to get back to climbing next week, although judging by my schedule, it will be the end of the week before thats possible.

This morning saw me in the editing suite with Ray Saunders, recording some audio to go with the film clip which shows exactly what happens on a Smart Climbing weekend.  It was great seeing the footage from the summer, and reflecting on the positive feedback and news I have had from all the participants over the last few months, following on from the course.  With a bit of luck, the clip will be ready by the end of next week, ready for a pre-xmas preview.

So, a hectic week, with no climbing, but where I feel exercised, and motivated to get stuck in again next week :)