Roca Verde

Las mejores guías de Escalada Deportiva de la Cordillera Cantábrica. Sport climbing guides to north-west Spain: Asturias, Leon, Cantabria. Me contacten / Contact me: richie@rocaverdeclimbing.com

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You are here: Home / Archives for 8b_ Challenge

Happy, surprised and and psyched: Old Dogs New Tricks Day 5 #2 – The Results

January 31, 2016 by Roca Verde Climbing 5 Comments

In the end my results from my bruising test (see Blog here) were delayed a bit longer as Tom and I went down to the Schoolroom to talk to Ben Moon and for Tom to have the chance show me a few key exercises on the TRX etc before I had to head back to Spain.

It was interesting to hear Ben’s take on it all. He’d been in the same position as me about 24 months ago – getting himself up off the sofa (not literally like me) to jump right back into the world of hurt that is top-end climbing. Ben being Ben he ended up with a 9a ascent. Slightly more than I was aiming for and his grade jump was probably less than mine but in a lot of ways I felt that what he’d done was similar.

His take was very simple – he loved it and he missed it and because of that it was no hardship to start training. Ben had always trained and trained hard – and methodically. This time was slightly different as he’d approached Tom to try and get him an edge: his goal was in sight but eluding him, could Tom’s input give him the vital few % that he needed?

Chatting to Ben at the Schoolroom..
Chatting to Ben at the Schoolroom..

Naturally Ben loved training and so he wasn’t phased by the work; Tom had added some volume and he was struggling with time but his advice to me was simple – enjoy it and put the time in and you’ll see the rewards. As he knew me well he also added the caveat of avoiding injury and taking it steady – he’d seen my ‘bull in a chinashop’ personality up-close a few times and was keen to point out that slow and steady wins the race!!

So, plucking up courage I asked him the $64,000 question; would I get up my 8b+?

Another smile, another hesitation, and another slightly embarrassed silence followed (much like that of Steve McClure); then Ben, sounding like he was trying to convince himself, came out with an elongated ‘Yes’…a yes which to all intents and purposes sounded like a no…However, Ben did firm his yes up and was a bit more positive but repeated the caveats of injury and overenthusiasm before tailing off.

I hadn’t climbing with Ben in 15 years so it was great watching him in action again, seeing how much effort he put in and as ever he was strong and smooth on the board as he sent a set of intervals. Jealous!

Heading back to Tom’s I sat about as he fiddled the figures eventually pulling up my ‘dashboard’ – a summary of my results in the form of a series of ‘speedometer’ like dials. Tom smiled as I looked at them, realising by my face that I was pleased with how they looked but had no idea what they meant.

Dash-board

I asked him to help – and to summarise for a layman. Cracking a smile he told me that the best summary was just to say that the results were better than he thought the would be and that, in his opinion I had the basic materials in place to climb around 8b/8b+ with a bunch of training. There was no obvious weakpoint, no trapdoor, which my body had set – even my stamina which I thought of as terrible wasn’t that bad.

Happy, surprised and  and psyched I felt some relief too. I had thought that I wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t get back there but it was good to have it confirmed. Flushed I pushed Tom for his view on my chances; and he said that I could do it.

Pushing harder I asked what chance he’d give me, ‘put a number on it’ I said – unblinking he thought for a minute and softly replied 25%…

Old Dogs New Tricks – The 8b+ Challenge – I am a 49 year old climber who is trying to better myself by trying to climbing 8b+ from my carrent grade of 7b+ in the year before my 50th birthday. 

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Filed Under: Climbing Tagged With: 8b_ Challenge, Ben Moon, Betamonkeys, Lattice Board, Moon Climbing, Old dogs new tricks, Rab, richie patterson, roca verde climbing, rock climbing, Steve McClure, Tenaya, Tom Randall, training, wild country

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rocaverdeclimb

Muy contento dejar mi huella con par de vias en la Muy contento dejar mi huella con par de vias en las placas de Cueva del Mar en Santo Adriano, valles de Trubia. Dos vías que abrí, Las raíces del problema, 6b, y Lajas de casa, 6c ya están encadenados y listo para hacer. Pero hay que reconocer que casi no hice nada en comparación con el trabajo que ha hecho @cesargarciacarballido y Óscar en abrir una escuela tan chulo. Antes era una jungla con maleza hasta 5 metros por 3 metros 😮 y ahora es un sitio buenísimo. Fui varios veces pero no me apetece hacer el trabajo pero me inspiró mucho la dedicación de César y aún solo abri dos allí y no ayudé mucho estoy otra vez metido en otros sitios para abrir más 😉
En la próximas semanas publicamos los croquis de las placas de izquierda donde están ahora 19 vías. 
Very happy to leave my mark with a couple of new routes at the brilliant new slab sectors of Cueva del mar. I did two new ones a 6b and a 6c and I hope people like them. However I did fuck all in comparison to the work done by César who opened most of the routes and cleared so much vegetation that you wouldn't believe. So thanks César 👍 This hard work has inspired me and I'm now working in a couple more spots which should show results soon. ⚒️😉
#rockclimbing #climbinglife #sportclimbing #paraisonatural #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbingpassion #climbtheworld #klettern #desnivel #escalar #escaladadeportiva #asturias #rocaverde #spain #cordilleracantabrica #climbing_is_my_passion #newroutes #viasnuevas
Otro día estupendo en las placas de Cueva del mar Otro día estupendo en las placas de Cueva del mar con el aperturista @cesargarciacarballido hicimos unas vías guapas que abrió cesar antez y luego metimos en una nueva, Lajas de ti, 6c+, que César me dejó hacer la primera ascensión. Otra vía guapa de placa con pasos exigentes entre dos lajas grandes. Gracias César! 💪 Foto 1 Maio 6c Foto 2 Lajas de ti, 6c+. #teverga #climbing #rockclimbing #escalada #escaladaenroca #paraisonatural #viasnuevas #klettern #desnivel #escalar #escaladadeportiva
Roca Verde sigue comprando material para compartir Roca Verde sigue comprando material para compartir con los equipadores de las regiones. Para empezar 500 parabolts inoxidables y tambien están bajo pedido chapas y reuniones. En total van a costar más de €1.300.
Y para que sepáis, con la subida en los precios de materia prima, cada chapa puesta costará casi €5 entonces una vía de 25m con 10 chapas y una reunión puede ser hasta €70 o más dependiendo del tipo de reunión.
Entonces para alguien que quiera ayudar la manera más fácil es hacer socio de los clubes de escalada como, en Asturias, @grupoagujasobia o @asturvertical ambos que comparten mucho material y hacen mucho trabajo también.
O también si sigáis comprando Roca Verde sigo comprando material. 😜
(Y para alguien que quiera saber más sobre las intenciones de Fempa en cuanto a esta actividad hay reunión con el nuevo jefe de material día 27 de abril a las 6 en la casona de montaña en Oviedo). 
Roca Verde continues to buy material to share with the local equippers - here's the receipt for 500 bolts just bought and there are belays hangars on the way too. In total it will be over €1300 of gear. Importantly it's worth saying that with the cost of stuff going up dramatically this will not buy a ton of gear as now each bolt placed will be nearly €5, making a 25m route about €70 including a belay. Worth thinking about on your next sports trip. Anyway if you want to contribute keep buying Roca Verde and I'll keep buying bolts - and remember that local guides put money in local pockets unlike the vampire topos that suck the money away. (or you can stay in my apartment @roca_verde_rentals that helps too) 
#escalada #escaladaenroca #paraisonatural #escaladadeportiva #asturias #rocaverde #León #cantabria #teverga #climbing #rockclimbing  #sportclimbing #spain #klettern #desnivel @woguclimbing
El jueves que viene... El jueves que viene...
Meteo / Weather Teverga y Quirós 15032023 Día gr Meteo / Weather Teverga y Quirós 15032023 Día gris, sin calor ni viento y después de unas gotas de agua está mañana hay un poco de humedad. Pero bueno, día perfecto para disfrutar de Muro Techo sin el sol pegando al muro. 😜
#rockclimbing #teverga #climbing #escalada #escaladaenroca #paraisonatural #escaladadeportiva #escalar #klettern #desnivel @roca_verde_rentals
El laboratorio, Morcin, hay tres vías nuevas en e El laboratorio, Morcin, hay tres vías nuevas en el sector, todas de las manos de los imparables: Miguel, Rafa y Lito.
A la derecha hay dos: 17. La cantera, 6b, y 18. El naval, 6b. Y hay una extensión de la vía El roko's y si lo haces hasta la segunda reunión el grado sabe hasta 7b+. Hasta la primera 7a+.
Y más a la izquierda hay una que sale por el desplome 19. Gálibo, 7b+. Como siempre agradecmos el trabajo y para tener un par de vias más fáciles allí para calentar será una cosa chula. 😜😜💪💪
Three new routes at El laboratorio, Morcin. Two on the right 17. La cantera, 6b, y 18. El naval, 6b and one through the roofs on the left Gálibo, 7b+. Thanks again to the unstoppable trio of Miguel, Rafa and Lito.
#rockclimbing #climbinglife #sportclimbing #paraisonatural #viasnuevas #escalada #escaladaenroca #climbingrocks #escalar #escaladadeportiva #asturias #rocaverde #klettern #desnivel
Sector Bosque - Cuevas. Me parece que hay mucha co Sector Bosque - Cuevas. Me parece que hay mucha confusión sobre si puede escalar en este sector ahora mismo.
Entonces para aclararlo la, respuesta es que si, no hay problema en escalar allí.
Creo que la confusión es porque la BOPA anterior, del año '21, tenia todos los sectores prohibidos - pero las mapas en el documento eran muy mal dibujadas y en realidad en la BOPA nueva de Noviembre' 22 esta claro que no haya restricciones en El Bosque.
Entonces puedes disfrutar unos de los mejores sectores de Asturias con vías como Piensa en verde, 7c+, demostrado por Alesio Fernández Guirado @alesioescala76 en esta foto guapa de Eduardo Velasco @eduardoluisvelasco
Sector Bosque, Cuevas, Aller. Can you climb or is it bird banned?  Yes you can climb...Lots of confusion out there but it's no problem to climb there and enjoy some of the best routes in Asturias.
#rockclimbing #climbinglife #sportclimbing #paraisonatural #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbingpassion #climbtheworld #klettern #desnivel #escalar #escaladadeportiva #asturias #rocaverde #spain #cordilleracantabrica #climbing_is_my_passion
Rosa de Mayo, Quirós... Rosa de Mayo, Quirós...
Al lado de casa... 😬😬 Al lado de casa... 😬😬
Que guay sale la vía, otro joya de @cesargarciaca Que guay sale la vía, otro joya de @cesargarciacarballido Vecino Clandestino...estamos esperando el grado!!
Another great looking route thanks to César, waiting for a redpoint and a grade.
#rockclimbing #teverga #climbing #escalada #escaladaenroca #paraisonatural #escaladadeportiva #asturias #rocaverde #klettern #desnivel #escalar @roca_verde_rentals
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