The last few months of 2010 were pretty uneventful, climbing-wise. In fact, December was the first month in which I climbed absolutely nothing since 2006! This wasn't a conscious decision to take a break, or even an injury-enforced lay off, just a combination of various factors. There was one abortive attempt to take advantage of the excellent winter conditions in the Lake District which failed thanks to an epic logistical clusterfuck (although i did get a nice walk in the snow), but it was strange that I didn't get frustrated as i have in the past when I've not been able to climb. Perhaps I just needed a rest.
Anyway, 2011 is here and I've got back on the climbing wagon, but more of that later. In the meantime, how about some statistics:
In 2010 I climbed 279 trad routes, 395 pitches, 7290 metres, 41 boulder problems, 5 winter routes and 4 new munros. I led my first E1s, led 38 HVSs (more than every previous year added together), seconded less routes (44) than any of the previous 7 years and soloed more routes than I led (142 to 134).
I also visited some amazing places for the first time (Donegal, Fairhead, Wen and Mousetrap Zawn at Gogarth, the Lleyn and Mother Carey's in particular), finally overcame a few old nemeses (Pingers and Wednesday Climb), ticked off a few things I'd been hankering after for years (Eagle Front, Dreamboat Annie, Croton Oil, Scratch Arete, Fireball and Formula One) and found a few new nemeses (Nowanda and Moonraker), as well as seen loads of new inspiring routes.
It's fair to say that my psyche is back and I'm super-excited about what the New Year might bring. The list of things I'm hoping to do is far too long to write down (or indeed actually do in a year), but it features getting stronger and climbing harder. E2 by the end of the year? Only time wil tell!
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