The World Championships

Back on the Scarpa blog.

Cats that get the cream

I honestly think I have one of the most rewarding jobs in the world wide wiggly world.

For the past 5 days, I have been wearing my MCofS hat working for them on the Norway Ice Climbing Course. 

I have had to pleasure of working with Andy T and Graeme who have excelled during the week and who both, very cleanly led their first WI4's without any input whatsoever from a Di.

I have worked with an uber keen, motivated, professional [and slightly bonkers] team in the form of Heather Morning, Mark Chadwick, Al Halewood and George McEwan. 

However, all good things must come to an end...

If you are interested in this courses for the future, please contact the MCof S and let them know :)

A is for Adventure

The boss wanted an adventure so we went for an Adventure.

The guide book clearly states "CAUTION.  Climbing Rjukanfossen is not recommended because this is an overflow fall for the powerplants in the area".

What did we decide to do?

Rjukanfossen - the classic WI4 in the valley.

So Di with Andy T and Graeme combined forces with Heather, Karl & Andy D and had a very social day on an 'exciting' route:)

The boys are buzzing after a fabby day and are now getting into the zone for some cranking on the last day.

Oh, and Number 3 were not impressed that George had not bought the Tonic.  But then George said that "it wasn't on the list..."

Ropes and showers

All 3 of the ropes today ended up as non useable cables.

Andy T: "shall I take the rope into the shower?"

Di: "yes" [thinking that he meant he would take the rope into the shower room to drape over the shower and dry]

Sometime later this evening: Andy T actually took the rope into the shower - literally.

Even later this evening: Andy T spent some time running prussik over soaked rope in a last minute attempt to dry soaked rope.

George is absolutely horrified that Di never bought any crisps for this evening, but Di kindly reminded George that the crisps were not on the list.

Oh, the photos?  Having made non technical ice thread, Graeme then tested to destruction to find that even chipping the thread down to the thickness of the rope, it still wouldn't break.

Cooking with gas

The boys were cooking with gas today.

Infact, they were so hot they were melting the ice.

An incy bit concerned since it is only day two and they are already starting to strap it on.

If I play my cards right, they will be guiding me up stuff by day 5.

Nobody got fired today in Number 3 and Heather forget that she was only cooking for 5 and not the entire population of Rjukan.

You're fired...

On day one the entire staff team of the MCofS Norway ice climbing got sacked by Heather.

On day two I got sacked (again) by Heather for forgetting to collect the ice for the G&T's.

Then Mark commented that we actually never got reinstated after day one, and how we had all just worked for the MCofS free of charge.

George very nearly got sacked today for telling Heather that there was no way she was borrowing his screws, if fact I think his exact words were "that's like someone borrowing your wife..."

Al never got sacked today because he made dinner.

Mark also never got sacked today, but the night is still young.

Despite all the sacking in Number 3, Andy T & Graeme went to Krokan today and learnt "stuff".

Note to readers: Di's blog's tend to be very tongue-in-cheek.  We really haven't been fired and are a very harmonious team in Number 3.

We have arrived...

... in rjukan....

the most expensive place in the universe.

After successfully avoided falling asleep at the wheel we arrived at silly hour.

A productive unproductive afternoon, followed by G&T.

What more does a girl want?

Graeme & Andy T have pulled the short straw and have ended up with Di.

Haven't a clue what to do tomorrow or where to go - sometimes it's just best to go climbing :)

Where is Di's blog?

Di's Scarpa blog can be found here.