Another encounter with Morgan - Hen Mountain

We are having the most fantastic weather this weekend, today is the first real summer day we've had this year, sunny with temperatures to match. After fighting off a prolonged bout of tonsillitis (three rounds of ani-biotics later) I took advantage of the dry spell today and went up to Hen Mountain, and soloed four routes; Morgan, Keyhole Crack and Simplicity (all V.Diff grade) and the Boulder Route on the Tower, an easier but longer climb.

This route Morgan, she and I have a relationship. She's a thin seam up an open book. I think of her as female, because if you're bold she welcomes you like a lover, but if you're in any way tentative she makes you grunt and squirm your way up, terrified. A fall would be very serious indeed, probably fatal. There's no soft landing here. Morgan and I have this interesting relationship. I love her, and she barely tolerates me. First move up, ok I can still downclimb here. Next move, that wasn't so bad, well now I'm committed. Morgan seems pleased, but she's not going to make it easier. Next move, falling now would be very bad already. Foot out left, no, not that far, in a bit, that's better. The holds on the right come to my rescue, and I can hear Morgan starting to laugh. The crux is a very committing move, feet smearing to reach a reasonable hold. A few more tentative moves up less steep ground and it's over.

I moved onto Keyhole Crack next, the route next door. Towards the top of it I spend a while getting my body position exactly right for an awkward pull over a bulge. I glance to my left. Morgan's there, watching me in stoic silence. But I can hear her saying, however it is that she does that: Michael Williams, you un-pardonable wuss.

I don't have photos of Morgan. I don't want to share her with anyone else.

Welcome, Tom Warnock

Congratulations Claire and Mark, Tom Warnock was born on Monday 25th May. I was going to say "little" Tom Warnock but he's 9 lbs 4 oz, that aint so little. Mom and baby both doing well.

Let's hope he gets to climb the Old Man of Hoy as well, one day, before it falls over!

Updated: This photo was taken yesterday, July 17th. That's Tom with big sister Ellie.

First rock climb for 2009

Well today, Sunday 03 May 2009, I'm sitting at home on a beautiful day updating the blog. Couldn't climb this weekend because I have tonsillitis, a particularly bad form of it that I last had 4 years ago. It was horrible then and it's horrible now, very painful. Well at least it's given me time to catch up on this blogging thing.

Mark and I did manage to get out on Easter Monday, to kick the climbing season off. We went up to Lower Cove (which despite its name is miles from the sea) in the Mournes, and faffed about a bit trying to decide which route to do. It was really cold, so much so that when we actually got around to climbing "Kram" (VS 4c), we couldn't feel our hands or fingers at all they were so numb. Quite interesting, pulling on holds that you can't see and have no idea how good they really are because you can't feel them!

Anyhow, here's to a good summer in '09!