TCA Glasgow

A while ago I headed up to the new TCA Glasgow . WOWZERS. Boards of all angles, some of them are the largest boards I have seen. The circuit board though was the thing that really impressed me. It is a format that they rolled out at TCA Bristol and they have brought to Glasgow on a much larger scale. This is a 7 minute video of me flashing their 100 move 8b circuit. The video starts at move 34 i think so it is more like a 9 minute circuit!! Set by Alan and Rob and designed around a couple of specific rests that you will probably spot it is a true endurance fest with a sustained and hard finish. Possibly the best route I have ever have climbed indoors. If you find yourself nearby then it is well worth a visit. A big thanks to Lasma Sietinsone for the Video

It is not a jug.

Still in Font. Our van has broken down so it looks like i am going to have to put up with a couple of weeks of great conditions. I hear the UK is bueno ;-)

I had to put this on as it is a good representation of the sometimes common experience of bouldering with your partner and not your mates.

I must admit I was in tears watching this so I had to share it.

Its Not a Jug! - A Fontainebleau Classic from Epic-Adventures on Vimeo.

Flashing Anarkista 8a+ Terradets, Catalunya, Spain

Just a quick blog to show you a new video short from Robbie Meade. Robbie spent 10 days in Spain with us last month and shot loads of great footage. This is the first footage he has got around to editing, and he has got loads more to come. You can find more Robbie films here.

Gaz Parry flashing Anarkista 8a+ from Robbie Meade films on Vimeo.

Enjoy

Como Un Tigre 8a

Yesterday I managed to nip out and climb a few routes in the amazing Grotte De Sabart. I climbed a really cool 8a across the arch of the right hand entrance. The climbing style is so wierd, mainly hanging off toes and footlocks. Which can make the route reading complex. Would love to spend some time here and get into the harder routes.

Como Un Tigre from Gaz Parry on Vimeo.

We filmed this on a Samsung Galaxy S2 phone. Really impressed as the light was pretty poor in there.

Right oh off to Font :-)

Hanging out in the Ariege

Every time I come to stay with John and Anna of Chez Arran I am always amazed at how fantastic this valley is. Yesterday I went walking the dogs for two hours by the river and followed it with a 30 minute run. The morning was wonderful and at this time the valley is chilly that is until the sun gets high enough to heat things up.

The third activity of the day was horse riding. Not my specialized subject but one I have been improving on over the last few months. I can now walk, trot, canter, gallop and jump. The horse I have learnt on is Elsa and she is amazing. We are brining her back to the UK to sell her as she will be a perfect kids pony. She is so easy to ride, almost push button infact. Easy steering, good brakes etc etc.

Yesterday we did a 3hr ish ride up to a church ruin Chapelle De Lugeat, a 1000m climb above the valley. The way up was steep and rocky though the horses managed well. It was so much easier than walking and well worth the effort :-)

Man and horse taking a break

Kate and Arco taking in the view

With the horses worked, it was finally time for me to play. We headed out with Anne to Genat. A crag I have visited before but I forgot my boots!! Still I did a 6c, 7a and managed to fight up a 7B+. This day was hopefully going to be better. By the time I arrived at the crag though I had a splitting headache, I warmed up on a 6c after which all I wanted to do was lie down. I followed it with a flash of a cool 7b+ (crucial beta from Anne). Still I felt shit, this time when I came down I felt physically sick and I was tempted to head to the bushes. Soon though the headache tablets kicked in and I thought I may as well try something harder, I settled for an 8a called Riglos. With a bit more beta from Anne, pretty crucial really as there was zero chalk on the crux, I managed to guess my way through the boulder problem and found myself topping out as the light faded. Perfect and the headache was almost gone. The only thing left to do was eat pizza.

Cross Road Right 7b+