Another Day In Dalkey

More great weather. Nearly too good, the rock in the sun was roasting hot and a bit greasy. I hit Dalkey with Kev for an evening session, we chased the shade until the temps dropped later in the evening, We met a gang from the savage craic climbers club top roping The Shield and Streetfighter and had an aul chat and a laugh and top roped Streetfighter for a quick, handy warm-up. Kev top roped The Shield E2 as well with a view to leading it later, but I am saving that bad boy for an on-sight attempt one day so I gave it a miss.

Savage Craicheads Enjoying The Splendid Weather

Kev and I headed over to the West Valley in search of the shadows and we hoped on Superette HVS, a great technical climb well deserving it's two star rating, Kev didn't fancy the crux so he climbed back right into the easier climb beside via a very nasty and harder looking few moves !! I took my time seconding and figured out the moves and got it clean, but it was touch and go, my feet nearly popped twice, lovely climb !! After this while we were there and had a belay set up Kev practised the moves on Tom Tit, a quality and quirky looking E2 line. We met Diarmuid, Stephen and Ray, it was good to see Steve back climbing after a shitty start to the summer breaking his wrist trying a hard Quarry project.

Next up was Bushmills E1, Kev led it no bother and I was looking foward to seeing how I would do on this sweet stemming corner. I felt proper solid on it, I'd say it won't be long before I get up and lead it. It's a quality route but short lived ... if only it was longer !! Next up was my mission for the day Exertion HVS I hopped on it and took my time placing the gear and figuring out the moves at the first little tricky steep corner, when I reached the top finishing crack I felt good, placed some gear and committed to the steep(ish) layback crack, I got spanked hard, I couldn't for the life of me top it out, I fell on the gear 3 times. I couldn't figure out what was wrong as I am normally pretty good  at top outs due to loads of bouldering I have done, I just got completely pumped out, I was trying 100 percent and I could not get it !! Mabye I need a few days rest, I have been going hard at it all summer so far and I feel a little beat up at the moment.

Kev Cruising On His 1st E2 The Shield



Next up was somethng I was delighted to see. Kev leading his first E2. We had just about decided to call it a day and leave and Kev decided ''Fuck it I'll give it a go'' !! We strolled over and met Sean Marnane who was just about to do it on the shunt, but he said he would second it for Kev instead, fair play to him. Kev cruised it, looking solid, great to see, well done dude :)

Kev Chuffed After Topping Out