rginns blog

I wasn't happy with the last edit so I decided to do it again. The difference being more interesting titles and a few better cuts I think, some reversey experimentation and a UKB shout at the end. I'm still having trouble rendering from CS4, it seems that using the QT format with the H.264 codec is still producing crap results. This render uses the H.264 format with apple hdtv codec and looks ok. At least it's HD. I need to get this sorted for future though. enjoy Stronstrey edit take 2 from Rick Ginns on Vimeo .

Planned to meet G-man over at Widdop, which is now feasible being near to the longest day of the year. I got there about 6, and headed straight up to the crag. Warmed up on a few of the easy problems, then GCW arrived. G showed me a problem I didn't even know was there, Grumpy Old Men. He despatched it without too much trouble. The hard move comes at the beginning with a long slap up right to an arete, then a change of feet, then up to the finishing holds. At first it felt hard, I couldn't hold the arete and kept falling off. After a few goes though I could hold it for a fraction. On my best effort I managed to change ffeet and slap up to the finishing hold only to fall off. Bugger. On taht occasion though, it felt really good and I reckon this will be done next time. I just need some new skin, because mine is thoroughly trashed now. Then we went over to the main boulders where G was trying various things, and crushed splashdown like it ain't no thing. I was nailing the fir

So this is about the best I can get it, quality isn't great, but I guess once I figure out the best settings I can re-render. Stronstrey sessions from Rick Ginns on Vimeo . Had an hour down at Brownstones yesterday morning, working the Pond Traverse again, although I can get round to the corner at the pond without too much fuss. Just need to build up the stamina to blast it all in one go. I'll probably need to get some specific stamina work done, as it could do with being improved anyway...

Saturday 19th June I got up early and decided to head over to Stronstrey having been pleasantly surprised this week. Time was short, but I had about an hour and a half. I got there at about 9:30 and walked up. The uphill is a killer at this place and as I was a little hungover it wasn't pleasant. I headed straight over to the traverse (Spanners - 6a+) as I wanted to get some footage of this. In spite of it being a bit cooler, it felt a lot harder than the other day, but managed to get it done without falling off at the end this time. The middle move is enjoyable. Good problem. Next I took a look at Cackhanded Compliment, but the off isn't that appealing without a spotter and anyway it felt nails still to me. Another r-man problem that eludes me... David Vetter was looking tempting but those last couple of moves just look on-off. Striking line though. I didn't try it. I then went over to the Mirth area. Mirth of the ducks looks high, but not untenable. Maybe one to look at w

Just a couple of bits I've done recently, hope you like it. # ##

TOnight I was supposed to be going to Cadshaw a-roping, but in the event Banksy was unavailable. GCW was keen to get out and I've not been up to Stronstrey in ages, so it was set, G gave me the tour of another hole in Lancashire. Got there about 6 after the twat-nav sent me the wrong way, parked up and walked in. Cricket match was just starting so parked a bit further down, there's plenty of parking though. I've only ever lead routes here, apart from one brief bouldering trip, and I must say I was impressed with the quality of the problems. We started on Spanners, GCWs traverse on the right hand wall of the quarry. G flashed it and I managed to do it on my second go I think, I've done a lot of similar traversing recently so I felt quite strong on it. I reckon 6a or 6a+ is fair, nice moves. I failed many times on Tony Bland, although I was tickling the hold, and I couldn't do the mantle either. Dab man did both of them without too much trouble. Then G crushed cackhan

Tuesday 15th June Went down to Jumbles, traversing back and forth, but the fingers felt beasted. Very tender. Got the arms moving, but nothing that interesting done. Wednesday 16th June Well, Surprise couple of hours free tonight so I decided to head up to Brownstones. I wanted another look at the Pond traverse and a couple of other things. I texted Kip to say I was heading down, and got there about 20 past 5. It was baking hot today, but the pond traverse is pretty good even in the heat given its juggy and crimptastic nature. I started off with a shit sequence from the corner, but after a couple of goes I have worked out a much better sequence, something like I was doing last year I recall. Kip arrived, missus in tow, and bumbled around a bit on various things. I tried the 6b rockover problem on the two step wall again, but kept getting shut down again. I had another look at the Pond traverse and there were a couple of other lads there trying it. I got as far as the big high jug near

Well I had the day off today as I had to be at home at 2 for the estate agents I decided to head out somewhere. Denham was the order of the day. I got there by about 10am and it was raining. After spilling coffee all over the car whilst waiting for the rain to clear up I braved a look at the rock. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad at all in spite of the rain.I warmed up on the font 5 wall to the right of the groove, then put a pad under Pool arete. This one of the illustrious problems on the list and I was eager to get back on. After a couple of goes I could get my feet high and work my right hand up the arete, but although I was tickling the jug I couldn't hold it. The high feet were pushing me away from the wall really which made it even more difficult to hold. annoying. I then tried the 6b groove over to the left, getting to the crap slopers and no further. Another disappointment. I decided to look at the other problems in the guide here so walked over to the left. First was t

This weekend I stumbled one more year towards 30. Time to set some loose goals. This got me thinking about where I am climbing wise and where I want to be. I have started to consolidate the 6s recently, and been feeling relatively strong of late. I have markedly improved on last years efforts to such a point that I can mostly tick off a 6a or 6a+ with relatively little effort, i.e. within a few goes. This has been brought about mostly due to pure volume of climbing. I've made a concerted effort to get out this year and it seems to be paying dividends so far. In view of this therefore I've set myself the goal of climbing 7a before December. If not before December, then before I turn 30 which gives me a timeframe of a year. Lofty goal for me, a mere trifle for many people... The weekend just gone was very enjoyable. As the weather was due to be scorching I decided against the grit. The limestone was calling and i'm enthusiastic for it after recent trips. As my sister and brot

Finally I've got round to doing this, not that it's great anyway! Some dodgy footage, and plenty of failures... Be prepared to be underwhelmed!