Given the weather this year, myself and many climbers linke me are in dispair, although I would argue that my elbow has been a bigger problem than the weather. In my 15 years since moving to North Wales I don’t think I have known a ‘summer’ like it. This year we have managed one 10 day stint of dry weather in March and another slightly shorter period in May/June. Other than that I have watched in horror the unending waves of frontal systems charging in off the Altlantic.
In total I have managed to climb outsode for pleasure about once in the last three months. So last night a friend suggested that we all pick a new sunnier place to live other than Llanberis and move. So where would you move to? I have often thought Chamberis a nice place to live but it cost far too much. Spain seems nice but I am not really into sports climbing, Aosta in Italy was suggested by another friend. However given my inability to master any language. In that I include English as any reader of this blog will recognise, which puts non-english speaking places out, although Chamberis sounds like it is an English enclave of france.
So recently I have been applying for jobs in America. For which I give myself no hope, but we can all dream of sundrench rock. Combined with the road trip attitude to rock climbing states side.
Maybe I just need a holiday, but I usually get away without one because the climbing in north wales is usually better than this. I can’t remember a time when actually heading up the Pass to climb would have been the best option. I don’t deny it has been possible but recently only the quick drying routes have been in condition.
So please if there is anyone out there who can make the rain stop. Then do it for me as a personal favour.