I didn't feel tired at the start of the day and the temptation of a good forecast, a mountain route and great company was too good to turn down.
Heather & Di opted for the classic route, Clean Sweep on Hells Lum.
I didn't get off to a great start.
My foot slipped low down, I barely made the move onto the arete on the first pitch, couldn't get any protection before dropping my nuts - like, when is the last time that has happened?
I seriously contemplated jumping down but managed to jibber back down instead - must have looked a right plum.
It just wasn't happening for me so instead, I walked around to the top of the first pitch and got Heather up.
Heather led pitch number 2 with me dragging my bottom lip up behind. The pitch was wet, greasy and minging and if I were leading it, I would have certainly bailed, knowing that sometimes the karma pixies just don't work in your favour. Despite the very big urge to bail off the top of the pitch, I pulled the finger out, put on the man suit and grinned my way up the superb pitch 3.
To say that I had a case of can't-be-arsed-itis would be a understatement and today I haven't even ventured beyond the garden gate.
You learn a lot about yourself in the mountains. You learn a lot about others in the mountains. I am truly blessed to have some amazing friends who put up with me when things just don't flow.