Tom's Finger

Went climbing with Tom S today in Borrowdale. We went to Shepherd's the afternoon before and camped out in a little car-park (more a forest clearing) away from the main road. Tom slept in his van and I slept in a little one-man tent.

I was awoken this morning (after we both overslept ALOT) by a National Trust guy who, since I was a captive audience in my sleeping bag, took the opportunity to give me an 'education' on why people shouldn't camp in these places and asked me to pack up and move on. Having just woken up, the only two words I croaked throughout the whole exchange were "Hello" and "Sorry" (not that I was actually sorry).

Anyway, we went climbing at Black Crag and it's a great crag. I've not been there before. We did Troutdale Pinnacle Direct and The Mortician. I'm really pleased with myself today, because it was my first HVS lead this year and I wasn't expecting to do one today! It was a monster 5a pitch of 36m and I was quite wired by the top because I didn't have much gear left and no quickdraws left. But man it feels good to have done it!

Tom somehow cut off the end of his finger when he started up this pitch. He swore all the way up and left alot of blood on the crag - it wouldn't stop bleeding! A hero for seconding that pitch with half a hand and in pain. He seconded the last two pitches with gloves on!