[Fiend]

Not sure what is recorded but apart from the good trad which you know about, the South Head of Wick has a lot of potential for playing around on crimpy walls with flat landings. Easy access, child friendly once you're there.

[subseasniper]

Check

http://www.flickr.com/photos/subseasniper/

I got a vid, albeit filmed on my Blackberry stuck in my shoe but it gives you an idea.

There are plenty of photos of the climbing at South Head.

Total playground, just don't all rush up at once as I usually have the place to myself 

Seriously though, I have been climbing here a lot and would defo get a semi if someone experience came up and actually graded the stuff I am climbing, I have literally no idea if I suck or if I am doing okay.

Word.

[subseasniper]

And yes, the surfing is awesome.

Wick for climbing, Thurso for surfing, I believe Thurso East is rated one of the top five breaks in the world.

[SA Chris]

The quality of the surf is pretty well known, but top 5 might be pushing it!

[subseasniper]

Well, this was a claim forwarded by a local newspaper whose journalistic integrity is, I am sure, beyond reproach. 

[SA Chris]

The Wick Gazeteer is probably more reliable than the Daily Mail or most tabloids.

Do you not know any climbers in the area? There is a guy on UKC who is based Bettyhill way. Get in touch with IanT and see if he knows anyone, he seems to have a finger on the pulse for goings on in the NW. Might be worth making a trip down Ullapool way to get on some documented problems to see how you are getting on by comparison.

[subseasniper]

Yeah, I need to get on established problems pretty badly. I am in Inverness for a few days at the end of June and may try and go to the Tom Riach boulder for a session. It has problems up to V6.

Any idea of gradings for 'Lonely Soul'?

The video probably doesn't reveal too much, I can post some pics of the holds if that would help.

[SA Chris]

I wouldn't bother with Tom Riach tbh. It's an OK spot, but the rock is very odd and specific and is often dirty, damp and covered in leaves. Brin or the Ruthven Stone would probably be a better option, can't think what else there is around, where's richieb when you need him.

Can't see vid, and impossible to tell how hard from looking at a vid anyway.

[subseasniper]

Thanks for the topo, been checking them out online, look nice.

Hell, if anyone fancies braving the journey up north take a pair of shoes and chalkbag and we can hook up, I have access to plenty of pads.

I would be delighted to see more boulderers up here (I have a few mates who are semi into it but usually cant get out of bed before 10am to come out)

Thanks.

[Sasquatch]

Yeah, I need to get on established problems pretty badly. I am in Inverness for a few days at the end of June and may try and go to the Tom Riach boulder for a session. It has problems up to V6.

Any idea of gradings for 'Lonely Soul'?

The video probably doesn't reveal too much, I can post some pics of the holds if that would help.

B3 until somebody repeats it. 

The joy of solitude......

[Fiend]

Ruthven is the bizzle. Some grades are wrong there but overall it would be a good benchmark.

[Fiend]

5th dry weekend in a row in North West Scotland...

American Vampired @ Neist, Woman Of The Eighties @ Staffin, Mother's Pride @ Elgol ... *SYKED* 

[Paul B]

I had my Viva yesterday: Minor corrections. It felt like the biggest YYFY in a long time.

[ShortRound]

I had my Viva yesterday: Minor corrections. It felt like the biggest YYFY in a long time.

Nice one.

We went to the same secondary school (Stalker Alert) so good to hear you're doing well.

[andy popp]

I had my Viva yesterday: Minor corrections. It felt like the biggest YYFY in a long time.

Huge congratulations Paul. Feels good doesn't it.

[tomtom]

I had my Viva yesterday: Minor corrections. It felt like the biggest YYFY in a long time.

Well done Paul - its always nerve racking no matter how good the thesis is! so great stuff.

And breathe...

[Paul B]

We went to the same secondary school (Stalker Alert) so good to hear you're doing well.

Do I know you then or is there a bit of an age gap (either way)?

Huge congratulations Paul. Feels good doesn't it.

Absolutely. However, I'm feeling a little lost as I haven't got anything lined up currently (industry job or research related) and everything from the Thesis has either been publish or has been submitted. I'll stick to being a domestic goddess for a while I think.

Well done Paul - its always nerve racking no matter how good the thesis is! so great stuff.

Cheers, I had a mock on Fri and my co-supervisor tore me apart on the very basics behind the work. That didn't feel good and I wasn't overly confident until I'd read through it a few more times, answered a list of question I'd found and convinced myself that it wasn't utter rubbish.

[ShortRound]

We went to the same secondary school (Stalker Alert) so good to hear you're doing well.

Do I know you then or is there a bit of an age gap (either way)?

Possibly, I'll send you a PM to stop being so elusive.

[Nibile]

2 x BW!!! 

[shark]

2 x BW!!! 

Sweet. 

That didnt take long !

[Nibile]

thanks! luckily not, yesterday it was only my second session, but I felt much better straight from the warm up, that took longer than the previous time.
I think my technique was slightly better also, although feet positioning is still tricky. I think it could depend also on the bar height from the ground, we don't have standard plates so I think it was a bit low. when I took my shoes off it seemed to be better.
next time I want to wear high socks though, because I found big help in dragging the bar on my shins to engage more my legs, my shins were a bit painful at the end.
after a rest I tried 2 x BW again, but the bar seemed bolted to the ground!!! talk about 1 max rep!!!

[Nibile]

In fact, I think my technique has been quite good. I feel my body truly worked, but my lower back muscles are fine and not stiff and in pain like the other time. Nice.

[Sasquatch]

In fact, I think my technique has been quite good. I feel my body truly worked, but my lower back muscles are fine and not stiff and in pain like the other time. Nice.

Very Nice!  That's how it should feel - enagagement from your heels through the back of your legs and all the way up your back to your shoulders.  It feels great when its done right.  And nice quick job of 2xBW 

[andy popp]

Five minutes ago I finished the book I've been writing for the last year ... its a slightly strange feeling at the minute.

[Nibile]

wow!!!