Following months of planning and training, Ex Squamish Rocks has been a huge milestone in my rock-climbing journey. The expedition was an all-round resounding success, meeting its aims of proving both novice and instructor climbers with three weeks to develop and practice their skills on some of the best accessible rock climbs in North America. For me, I feel like I am now the strongest climber I have ever been since returning, my endurance, strength and mental game has noticeably developed from before the expedition. However, that is only the tip of the iceberg regarding skills I’ve gained from being able to take part.
Due to “roofed accommodation” being unavailable, the team committed to spending three weeks in tents. Whilst sceptical at first, I came to love the tent life and the challenges that came with it. Huddling under the small communal tarp area on rainy evenings or playing cards under torchlight while always being aware raccoons could tear their way into a bag at any time unquestionably brought us closer together. Living with a tent buddy meant compromise and teamwork was essential to ensuring an efficient and bearable existence! The fact we are still friends by the end speaks for itself, and certainly was not a guarantee at the start.
Viewing how a successful large scale adventurous training exercise is organised and executed has made me keen to plan an exercise of my own in the future. It is going to be hard to beat though. I cannot imagine how to ensure all the participants have a fantastic time while still being stretched beyond comfort zones every single day like I was. It has made me realise how important a holistic approach to the overall plan while keeping a dynamic daily plan is to ensure everyone can reach their goals. I’ve also seen how significant having an enthusiastic team of excellent instructors is. I am incredibly thankful to them for giving up so much time to teach me technical skills, how to stay safe and how to pull hard through difficult climbs.
It is hard to pinpoint one specific highlight but as well as leading traditional style climbs, getting to the top of the incredibly powerful route called Exasperator, or successfully leading a super technical sport route, there is one climb that stands out the most. Summiting the Stwarmus Chief, a steep, sloping, imposing 700m high rock feature which was on everyone’s radar to summit. There are various routes up ranging from challenging to extremely challenging, there really was no easy way up. Despite the route I seconded being strenuous, the morning weather bitterly cold and windy, and never experiencing a route even a quarter of it’s length, the instructor and I successfully summited The Chief. A huge achievement which is largely down to the skill and hard work of the instructor who facilitated the opportunity for me to climb the dramatic route.
It would be easy to view this as the end of a journey. Afterall, I’ve now returned back to university to complete my final year of studies. Now far from the Squamish sunshine, wonderful rock quality and fantastic people to climb with. But I stand by calling it a milestone, it’s just a point that previously was target, but its not the only target in a pipeline. Now I’ve passed the milestone I’ve set new ones, from targeting specific climbs I’ve previously struggled with in the not too far away Peak District, or improving my indoor sport climbing grade in preparation for competitions.
The momentum from three weeks of climbing daily may not be sustainable but I hope to carry with me the positive mindset that came with it, both in personal climbing, daily life and the challenges that come with it. So, thank you for the funding, I am so grateful to everyone who enabled me to take part in this incredible experience. The funding received from Ulysses Trust was pivotal in providing me the opportunity to take part in something that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
