Pushing the grade

Yesterday I was out at the Pass with Ross and Patrick to progress their leading and technical skills.

Ross leading Aftershave (S).

Ross following Patrick up Lucky Strike (VS 4c***).

Throughout the day we looked at not only pushing climbing ability but also how to deal with difficult situations whilst on the lead.  For the purpose of getting out themselves and trying their hand at the harder grades we covered setting up bottom rope systems.

Patrick beginning the first traverse after the initial corner on Medium Cool (VS 4c**).

Its harder than it looks!

At the tree belay.

Ross following on.

In all they got about a dozen routes in and even had a play with prussiking and tying off belay plates.  There's not many pics of different climbs as we were far too busy cranking hard on routes like Stinker (E1 5b*), Little Cenotaph (HVS 5b**) and Pink Wall (VS 5a*).

Patrick on the rather bold and thin pitch two of Medium Cool.

Ross setting off from the belay.