I personally think people are mad committing limited leave/travel to the uncertain weather of the UK.
Quote from: Paul B on February 18, 2020, 11:23:58 amI personally think people are mad committing limited leave/travel to the uncertain weather of the UK.
I've done exactly this the last 3 years, using at least 2 weeks annual leave specifically to boulder in the UK. Granted, I live here so it's a zero/low cost option, but I like it that much and I've never not been able to climb in reasonable conditions during October, November, March and April. Went to Cornwall in August 2018 and had a great time.
With all the talk of driving and of 2 hour drives being nothing to a North American: this may be true, but the nature of the driving is different.Remember Honnold talking about the differences between driving in the States and the UK? In the US a 2-hour drive is turning onto the freeway, setting the cruise control, and then watching a DVD whilst keeping half an eye on the road (OK, I exaggerate); a 2-hour drive in the UK is a litany of traffic jams, Sunday drivers, road works, and generalised carnage. Maybe not what you want while on holiday...?
You're taking this a little out of context but I'll admit I wasn't clear. The thread is about a transatlantic visit and IMO there are many places with less uncertain whether and arguably better bouldering that would be higher up my list. What about the other USA venues not mentioned?
LOT of good places to climb across the globe, and many of them have (on average) better weather.
This is very very true. Not to mention driving on the "wrong" side of the road And the tiny country roads. 2 hrs of driving in the UK, for someone used to US roads, can be absolutely exhausting, and occasionally terrifying.
However I have never been to the UK and for some reason it has always appealed to me to totter around the countryside climbing boulders and the odd trad route before heading to the nearest pub. Perhaps I am over romanticizing what it would actually be like
Here's viddy from a visiting boulderers perspective. Though they might have edited some of that sun in... A van would see you right, you could aim for Torridon, Cuckoo Tor or Tor Eiffel at a moments notice and chase the good weather around. And you'll get every dry rock tipoff you need on here. Good odds.
Oh and Fairhead, isn't that the crazy basalt blocks by the ocean, some of them are like 30+ feet tall with marginal landings? I watched a video, if it's the same place it looks terrifying.
I can manage about one international trip per year from the US.So far I've been toSquamish x2AlbarracinFontainebleauGoing back to Font again this year.Just wondering if it's worth it to fly over from the US to climb on the grit? I'm very curious to sample the syle. I'm pretty sure I'll get spanked.