Ladakh 1Adele has e-mailed the following dispatch:
Here is the first update from Ladakh written by the students of the Royal Grammar School Worcester.
Delhi is a city of extremes, from the oppressive humidity and heat that engulfs you as soon as you leave the dry cool of an air conditioned room to the maniacal drivers who take to the streets in their millions every hour of every day, each making their own small contribution to the dirty fog that hangs over the city. After 10 minibus minutes in the stifling bus that had collected us from the airport, most were thinking back to the comfort of the cool airport.The change in time zone meant that the first and second days combined into one long day, particularly for those members of the team too excited by the entertainment available on the plane to sleep on the flight. The day in Delhi
was mainly taken up by the quest to quench our thirst and get away from the all-pervading heat. A brief walk through the city led to a restaurant which served litre jugs of coke.
It was an early start on wednesday morning, despite it being 5 in the morning, the heat and humidity was still almost unbearable. A breakfast of toast and cereal without milk followed before the breakneck ride to the airport for our flight to Leh. Having arrived intact, we greeted with relief the news that we woukld be allowed to take cabin baggage on the flight, somewhat negating the
worries about the space in and weights of our main kit bags. We boarded the aircraft, the larger among the group having great difficulty wedging themselves into the seats. However, the scenery for the last half hour was certainly worth the squeeze.
Now in Leh we are catching up with some sleep and acclimatising to the altitude.
View from the plane window during the flight.
Posted on 06 Jul 2011 by adele
Sun Fun and Grit
Martin on Neb Butress (HVS 5a) Bamford
After an excellent day yesterday Adele and Paul met up with Martin a well known climber from Scunthorpe Mountaineering Club. Paul did a stunning lead on Neb butrress and Adele and Martin followed in great style even though they were unable to untie from the rope at the top with pumped arms. Perhaps not the best choice of the first route of the day.
Paul looking cool ( for a minute ) on Neb Butress (HVS 5a)Now pumped Adele decided to lead the less strenuous Bamford wall (HS) and after dropping a few nuts actually showed that she could climb. Next it was Martin who took the lead onTwin Cracks (VS 4b) with no real drama. Paul then lead out on the Happy Wanderer ( HVS 5a) which seemed like a good name and was in fact a brilliant route when all three were at the top. Adele then mistakingly went for the VS ( 4c) called Reach which perhaps was not the best idea but with some cunning tactics she overcame the fact of being four foot eleven inches tall and was chuffed when Paul the grit stone boy had struggled just a little bit! Never competition between the trio, Martin finished in style on Bamford Butress and climbed just as well with half arack as he ..... perhaps dropped the rest. ( It was very hot) Finally the intrepid trio finished with a pint of Chatsworth Ale to celebrate a great day on the grit. Posted on 03 Jul 2011 by adele
A weekend off "Limestone and Ice creams"
Adele on the 2nd Pitch of Pupilla
Many people ask Adele what she does when she has a day off well.............This weekend Adele promised Paul (partner) that they would spend some time together before she departs for India to lead an expedition to the Nubra valley with students from Royal Grammer School Worcester. Paul would expect no more than to spend the day, usually 50 m apart. After a good start at Willersley on Garotter (VS) Adele had a wobble on the polish of Porthole wall and gigerley lowered off on a very dodgy nut. Mr Rosser manger of Adventureworks www.adventureworks.co.uk would not have been happy if Pennington accidently slid of a hold and damaged herself. Paul a gentleman as ever pretended to make hard work of the pitch and made a galiant retreat not to spoil his evening and to collect his gear! Not to be disheartened they discovered free parking in Matlock and toodled up to Wildcat where Adele redeemed herself Pupilla (VS) on and Paul got some gear on Manx (VS). Ice cream on the way back to the car was obligatory after this superb day off! Tommorow if the weather holds Adele Paul and mate Martin will hit the grit.
If anyone one has lost some gear on Manx at Wildcat please call Paul Scott on 07800 953 691 and he will reluctantly take it off his rack!
Posted on 02 Jul 2011 by adele
Rock treats for Chris and ClaireClaire had decided to treat son Chris to three days rock climbing in Wales for his Birthday present. As they drove to Wales on Saturday morning it was evident that dry rock would be difficult to find. Luckily Holyhead mountain albeit covered in cloud stayed dry enough for the trio to do a few climbs and for Chris to practice an abseil before experiencing some sea cliff climbing. 
Chris and Claire practicing stance management on Stairs (S)
On Sunday the forecast was much better so it was time for Claire and Chris to have a Gogarth experience. There is nothing quite like the first time you abseil over a sea cliff, adrenalin flowing Chris landed on the ledge with a big smile closely followed by Mum with an even bigger smile.
Chris on the first pitch of Light House Arete ( VS)
Every pitch a good one Adele Chris and Claire made their way to the top thoroughly enjoying the whole experience.
With the afternoon dry they returnrd to Holyhead mountain for Chris to take his first leads on Slippers (VD) and D'Elephant. Finally Chris showed off his natural rock climbing talent by racing up Breaking the Barrier ( E1 5b) with the rope above him, which his Mum and Adele had eventually mastered two weeks ago.
With only one day left it was now time for Mum and Son to choose a route for the day and with Claire wanting to lead her first (S) Kirkus Direct in the Moelwyns was chosen. A little apprehensive but fired up Claire breezed up the first steep wall and finished the first pitch in style.
Claire on her first ( S 4a) Lead Kirkus direct.Not wanting to be left out Adele took the second pitch and Chris seeing his Mum so happy let her have the final superb pitch.
An excellent three days and a Happy belated Birthday to Chris
Posted on 28 Jun 2011 by adele
