Climbing in Yangshuo...EEEEKKKK!!

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So one of my intentions during my travels was to go climbing, i had even looked into a lead climbing course. But when in Beijing i thought the better of this as the weather was so unbelievably hot, and i don't like exercise in hot weather...some may say that i whine when i have to do some :)

But no whining today! Gonzalo had found a spot that was completely in the shade, and the sweaty hands weren't a problem, like they are for indoor climbing. All 5 of us heading out...Gonzalo, Jamie, Jael, Chavi and Valentino. Yes that's me and 4 Spanish people.

After collecting the climbing stuff from the shop we hired city bikes to head over to the routes. I wasn't overly excited at getting on a bike again, and Jael was with me there. But it was ok. The massive round about was ok as we just followed other cyclists. After a little difficulty the guys found the wall we were looking for. We left the bikes and walked on foot.

This was to be my first outdoor climb...and although i didn't expect it...my first outdoor lead climb!! I've been climbing 6As (French grading) for a month, so i expected to be able to climb maybe a 5 outside. This completely made my holiday, and i'm still so glad i got to do this!! Everyone climbed well, and it was a first time for Chavi and Valentino.

Due to the number of people sharing the rope, we only managed to do 3 climbs. Gonzalo and Jamie were very good at teaching... I was so surprised at myself when it came to leading a 5. Maybe it's because you have to focus so much but there wasn't any fear, none of falling. I was aware of what i needed to do and did it! Getting to the top of the 5 i was a couple of inches too short to attach the rope, so i had to place myself in a less than satisfactorily position to do it. BUT I DID IT!!! And also the 5 climb wasn't challenging when it came to strength so maybe i could have done a harder climb?!

After heading back that evening we headed back to Monkey Jane Bar for some more drinking games....

I CAN'T WAIT TO CLIMB OUTDOORS AGAIN!!

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