Jan/Feb 24
VITAMIN D
We are now into the winter months and, I must admit, I struggle at this time of the year, not enough sun and vitamin D perhaps, and I begin to crave the fi rst blooms of spring – a magical time when everything comes to life, the days get longer and nights shorter.
Don’t get me wrong, I used to really enjoy winter, particularly winter climbing. I valued the blue-sky days with plasticine ice that swallowed your axes with ease. I also loved the epic days when everything was a battle, the cold bit you to the core and spindrift consumed you, and all the while you questioned why you were putting yourself through this? Of course, this is all forgotten in the pub afterwards when the tale of the day’s epic grew, depending on how many pints were consumed.
So what changed and why do I go out infrequently in winter these days? Injuries and getting older, that’s what, but mainly injuries and two hip replace-ments – age is after all, a state of mind, though occasionally my body reminds me otherwise (as I’m sat here with a dodgy shoulder). Winter’s now mainly about grabbing a trip to hot climes for sunshine and vitamin D, the bones like that, and a spot of sport climbing or heading to the wall and of course…colder weather does have one major upside – ‘The Call of the Grit’. Gritstone and cooler conditions are a match made in heaven and nothing sings more than days when the temperature is at the optimum range (for me) of between 8 and 12 degrees with a touch of humidity in the air and you stick to the rock like glue because the friction is amazing. If you struggle with gritstone in warm weather, try it when the temperature drops. It makes a world of difference and you will be able to use the rounded holds you wrestled with in the heat. One of gritstone’s very best venues, the sublime Cratcliffe Tor, has a fi ne collection of classics that stand out as amongst the best in the UK. Don’t take my word for it, see what Ben Rouse has to say starting on page 34.
David
.png){kind=logo}
