I’ve been climbing short things with equal enthusiasm and ineptitude for nearly twenty years.
A few of those spent working as an indoor climbing instructor resulted in a brief period of relative fitness, improved technique and the acquisition of a smattering of climbing jargon.
Apart from that I’ve been office-bound, usually working on website content, writing and marketing, so climbing activity was confined to the Peak or Portland on good weather weekends and annual clipping holidays in Europe.
These days, whether falling repeatedly off a 6a or nerving myself for the easiest lead at Bamford crag, I’m perfectly happy just bimbling about the Peak. I mix up the climbing with plenty of hill walking, a little cycling and intermittent yoga; as far as I’m concerned, after years in a city centre, I’m living the dream in a Valley called Hope.