Peak District Bouldering 2023

Happy Christmas folks!

So that was 2023. I've enjoyed getting out in the Peak when I could, and I've had plenty of fun times. Fresh air, a nice view and a little lump of rock to try to climb up are still the best thing that I know of for my mental well-being 🙂

My climbing highlight of 2023 was doing a five pitch sport route in Croatia (Paklenica) with my wife and kids (6 and 8). It was the first time we've tried something of that length and it went really well. I've got great memories of that.

From a bouldering point of view it has felt like a bit of a 'lost year' overall. I have tried, but I've not really climbed anything that 'hard' (apart from Dylan's Variant - that was an effort). Despite getting some training in at home, I've not really been able to put in consistent work on my projects outside. It feels like it's been rare that dry weather, free time and a fit, injury-free body have aligned. Especially in the last part of the year, where the weather has been pretty consistently bad. And when the sun has come out it's been at the weekend! Great for 99% of climbers, but ironically, not so much for me!
Shout out to Alex Hithersay who's had his work cut out this year, keeping me motivated for training and listening to me moaning about being tired and busy...

As with previous years I'm going to set the intention to improve, work hard and keep trying to push myself. At the same time as enjoying the process, being detached from outcomes, not putting too much of my self-worth in the unfillable bucket of 'performance' and having a healthy relationship with failure. Should be a laugh. See you out there 👍👍

Secret Garden
00:09 Dick Williams 7B

Froggatt
01:00 Gibsonitus 7A+
01:45 The Green 45 7A & The Blue 48 7A+

Curbar
02:32 Cloud Cuckoo Land 7A+

Stanage Plantaion
03:15 Honorary Caley 7A
04:03 The Green Traverse (Strict) 7A

Birchen Edge
04:51 MP3 7B

Burbage South
05:28 Violence 7A+

Mother's Pet Area
06:01 Mother's Ruin 7A+

The Eagle Stone
06:22 The Beagle Has Landed 7A & Where Beagles Dare 7A+
07:18 A Fist Full of Beagles 7A+

Gardoms' North
08:12 Dylan's Variant 7B+

Burbage North
09:06 All Quiet Direct 7A+
10:16 Jason's Stand 7A
10:51 Fallen Slab Lip 7A