Things I Like About London: Mile End Climbing Wall

The other cool gym in my area is Mile End Climbing Wall.


Mile End is actually a not-for-profit, so it runs a little differently than most gyms I've visited. According to Alex, head route setter, it's THE place to train in London, so I'm psyched that he is able to have me on as a setter there. Maybe I can finally get/stay in shape.

The "Approach"

Some photos from the last week

Hyde Park

Jean Nouvel Serpentine Gallery Pavillion

Portland

Yesterday I went climbing with Audrey, whom I mentioned in my post about The Castle, and Saoirse, another girl who works there, down on a little Island (I guess technically a peninsula due to the land bridge not much wider than the road that connects it to the mainland) on the southern coast of England. The area is called Portland, within the county of Dorset, which is where one finds, apparently, some of the best limestone in the UK.

Portland, Dorset

The drive from London was brutal. Due to good weather it seemed as if the entire city was getting out for one last nice summery weekend, but it was well worth the four hour drive.

We did a few moderates, culminating with a nice old school "high in the grade" 7a (5.11d) named "Strobolising Scyphostoma," that felt every bit of 5.12 to me.

All in all, I'd call it a perfect day.

The village, for context, as seen from the cliff top.

The hike in

Wild blackberries grow all along the hillside

Audrey onsighting "Buoys will be Buoys," 6b+

Me warming up on "No Man is an Island," 6c (5.11b)

Saoirse (pronounce Sersha) Harris on a 5.10 at Blacknor Far South

Beautiful limestone "flowstone" tufas

Things I like about London: The Castle Climbing Center

This morning I headed up to The Castle Climbing Center to check out the local training facility. The first really cool thing about The Castle is the building, which actually does look like an old castle. It's actually an old water pumping station (it's next to a reservoir)but has been a climbing gym for a while now. The other cool thing about The Castle is that they are working to be completely sustainable by 2012 ... but actually doing things to accomplish that goal.

The view from the bus stop

These photos don't really do the interior justice, as I was preoccupied chatting with Audrey, a fellow Team Evolvy who runs the gym, and getting in a short bouldering session.


In summary, The Castle is an awesome gym and I look forward to returning soon.

Just some photos from a few days of walking around

And last but not least, Okonomiyaki and Om-soba near Maya's school, at Abeno