Youth Open Liverpool March 2016 (Issy)

Topping Qualifier 2

I had never been to Awesome Walls Liverpool, so I was interested to see what kind of routes we would have. Our first qualifier looked crimpy and technical, but definitely do-able. I was one of three to top the route. Our second qualifier was on the main overhang. It was one of the steepest walls I had ever been on; at some points in the route I was almost horizontal! It was one of the most fun routes I had climbed- relatively easy and juggy with some interesting bridging moves. This time, I was one of 5 to top the route, and I qualified for the finals in joint 1st place.

The Final Route

Our final route again was up the main overhang. It was long and sustained, with a huge last move. When I came out to climb, I climbed the majority of the route easily. I climbed to the last move, and the last hold seemed miles away, so I decided to clip from the second last hold. I was the only person to top the route, and so happy to top all the routes in the competition! Because of this I placed 1st.
Also on Saturday we received our new team kit from Berghaus. I am absolutely thrilled with it! It is extremely warm, and I loved climbing in it! Huge thanks to Berghaus for providing the kit, and to Rob Adie and Tony Smith for organising.

Final Route 2

Final Route 3

On the podium!

Youth Open Leeds November 2015 (Issy)

In November we traveled to the Leeds wall for the first competition of the year- my second year in Youth B. Our first qualifier was crimpy and vertical, and I was one of two people to top it. However, I found the second qualifier much more difficult. It began with a vertical finger crack- a feature I had never climbed on before! The crack sapped my energy, and I was wrong handed on the next few moves meaning that I had to downclimb. I managed a few more moves, and ended up 4th place on the route. I was frustrated with the mistakes I made, but I still managed to qualify for the finals in second place. 

The final route was crimpy and overhanging, so I moved quickly up the steep section. I eventually fell off a big move; I had put my foot too high  and I was disappointed with where I fell as I thought I could have got much higher. Three of us fell at the same move, meaning that I was in =2nd place. Overall I came second due to countback from the qualifiers. Thanks to the Leeds wall for a great competition. 

Final 2

Final 1