Safety with increased speed...
After a party to launch the new Slate guide in llanberis and we had an opportunity to have a discussion with a forensic psychologist about her project relating to 'risk' in the Heights bar in Llanberis with Johnny after a nice day on the slate with an old skool ascent on a great multi pitch 7a in the big whole quarry with Carlos before he left the country. (that was a big sentence! all fucked up grammar! love it!)
I usually run a mile when the 'psychologist' joins my company but there seemed to be a theme that week with a beer with another clinical psychologist with guapa ojos in a Glasgow bar. So I was happy to get involved in the discussions, but ultimately Johnny, Adam and myself didn't really agree with too much of what was on the table (metaphorically speaking). All 3 of us knew what it was to operate and wander in and out of perceived risk but the psychologist's conversation was just not really getting out juices flowing.
The morning after the party, I was in a bad state having not drank much alcohol like that for a while, and Johnny took me for a spin up the pass showing me the left foot break technique as we glided towards the walls and found the line that suited the driving conditions. felt a bit risky in moments but during those moments special attention was paid.
Later we went climbing and i still hadn't shaken off the hangover nor did i bring any climbing gear to the crag, so Johnny lead the nice 6a pitch and i seconded in my trainers with the rope tied round my waist. The technique is to over crimp and aim for big ledges for the trainers to roll on. felt a bit risky in moments but during those moments special attention paid.
It was a great weekend and as I left Carlos and Johnny on the moonlit night heading North for Scotland i found myself flying through the Conway tunnels straight lining the bends in a heightened euphoria with the windows down and a general air of increased speed... felt safer than shambling home with a risk of a catatonic tiredness crawling over me like a sleepy mist...
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| mis hermanos |
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| Carlos (Trevor Hodgson) |
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| My Welsh bros |
