High Sports Blog

Ed Shoots to Thrill

Sean — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:16:48 +0000

High Sports Ambassador Ed Booth has kick started his “summer” climbing with a quick repeat of Shoot To Thrill (E7 6b) at Pinfold. He worked the route on Saturday, then made his successful headpoint on Sunday. The descritption of “A bold route requiring precise footwork and strong fingers” didn’t seem to phase Ed, as he pulled through the crimps with cold, numb fingers!

Petzl Nao Available Soon

Sean — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:43:34 +0000

The Nao utilises Petzls new reactive lighting technology to instantly adjust the light output from the torch to suit the users needs, allowing them to focus on the task at hand.

This really is the next step forward in head torch technology, and after personally testing the torch, we can tell you demand will be high. Don’t miss out…..

For more information, and to pre-order yours now click here.

France mini roadtrip

Ed — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:26:45 +0000

Hi all, just got back from a trip to the south of France with my brother. We visited Buoux, Verdon gorge, Volx and a quick stop at Fontainebleau.
The plan had been some fitness training at Buoux but the savage nature of the pockets meant our finger tendons and skin were nearly written off after just the first two days.
We bailed to the Verdon where you climb a bit below your limit, but the order of the day here is the adventure. You abseil in from the top and climb amazing technical pitches hundreds of metres off the floor.
We called in at Volx for an afternoon on the way home where we got our pumpy work out and managed a Fr7b on sight and a swift ascent from Adam who fell on the last move on his flash attempt. Thats enough words for now, I’ll let some pics do the rest….
Ed

Ambassador Updates

Sean — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:00:50 +0000

First up, we are proud to welcome Steve Cale, Mercia Fell Runners, into the dedicated assembly that is the High Sports Ambassadors. Steve’s good-natured, friendly character belies his serious determination to fell running, but his past results speak for them selves; Skiddaw race winner 2010, 10th in the British Championships, Shropshire Summer & Winter Champion 2009 – 2011, Long Mynd Valleys winner 2012. You can read more about Steve and the rest of our Ambassadors here.

In other Ambassador news, Tom Fenwick has been attacking the Peak District and between showers and sleet, sent the super-classic test piece boulder problem Brad Pitt (7c+). The video below shows Ben Moon on Brad Pitt, taken from the film Hard Grit.

Ed Booth is currently hanging off steep stuff at the French limestone crag of Boux, so expect some stories of pulling hard in the sun when he returns.

Jonathan Cain and Pat Novelli have just returned from Font, so hoping for some more excellent pictures from them.

I’ve been staying a bit more local, but over the last couple of weeks have managed to make ascents of both Rigpa (7b+) and Kyloe In (7c) at Nesscliffe.

Easter Opening Hours

Sean — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 13:27:57 +0000

New Grinshill Highball

Ed — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:50:43 +0000

Following the release of his new Nesscliffe and surrounding areas supplement, Nick Dixon has put the guide out of date already by climbing the fantastic clean cut overhanging left arete of White Tower at Grinshill. The route weighs in at E7 6c in old money or with a stack of pads is v7 for the crux up to a slopey and unhelpful niche from where a high 6b sequence leads you to the safety of the ledge. Nick practised Tower Ridge prior to his ascent and climbed it above 3 optimistic pads. Myself and Sean were trying it ground up above a lot of pads, but after a few big falls we put a rope on it to practice the last moves. One false start later (after a small part of the first hold snapped) I was standing on top.
Good effort Nick, A very high quality route.

Sean Going Ground Up (photo by Patricia Novelli)

Tower Ridge from grady on Vimeo.

HIGH SPORTS 30th BIRTHDAY

Sean — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:06:23 +0000

Tuesday 6th March 2012 was the 30th birthday of High Sports. By coincidence it was also the last lecture in the High Sports Winter lecture series THE LOCAL SPOT at the Gateway, and where better to celebrate the occassion than with our staff and many of our customers old & new. A welcome drink, balloons and even the obligatory chorus of ”Happy Birthday” got the atmosphere going, but how many times have you been to a public lecture and then be part of a mass audience photo (like a school photo, great fun). Thanks to STEVE HUGHES PHOTOGRAPHY (07774 299667) for his contribution and excellent photo. The evening was made up of 4 short presentations; A photo quiz by Stuart Cathcart (High Sports) a semi nostalgic look back at the last 30 years. Jamie & Alastair Drummond and their commendable & epic 500mile loop kayak trip down the river Severn and around the coast of Wales, Dennis Lee (Denz) a beautiful presentation ”Girls on Tour” cycling destinations around the world, and finally the climbing team Sean Grady (High Sports), Ed Booth, Tom Fenwick - ”A year in the life of rock jocks”. An inspirational variety of outstanding short lectures that ended with a short film of nail biting and sweaty palm drama by the climbers of a second ascent of the potential killer climb Self Harmer.

“The whole Local Spot evening and 30th celebration encompassed the true spirit of High Sports, a genuine spectacle of dedication, friendship and community brought about by a mutual love of the outdoors and mountains, anyone who wasn’t there missed something very special”.

Thanks to all - Stuart Cathcart

Please double click on the photo for better quality.

Nesscliffe Guide Update + DVD

Sean — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:27:17 +0000

Since Nick Dixon’s original Nesscliffe guide in 2007, there has been a flurry of activity resulting in a number of amazing new lines.

Details of these developments are now available in a new guide supplement which also includes a stunning new DVD showcasing many of the new climbs, boulder problems and an exclusive interview with Dave Birkett spilling the beans on the inside story of some of the hardest routes on the crag, like; “1000 Setting Suns” (check out the trailer below).

For only £14.95 the NEW Nesscliffe guide BUNDLE includes:- The original guide, new supplement and the DVD. Excellent value, grab your copy here now !

Wrekin Wrecker Vid

Sean — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:51:23 +0000

See High Sports Ambassador Mel Price and many other familiar faces, taking part in the 2011 Wrekin Wrecker race.
Enjoy.

Crib Goch xxx

Sean — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:48:03 +0000

A one-handed (camera boom in the other) traverse of the ridge in damp, cloudy conditions results in an excellent film from an unusual angle.
Enjoy: