Jay, John and I returned to the UK after a week living and climbing in the Midi Pyrenees.
 |
| Calames crag |
The highlights of the trip were seeing John lead his first 6a, his hardest lead outside and watching Jay in his paradise enjoying all things French, enjoying his climbing and independence in another country, another world of mountains and climbing. Witnessing John's commitment on lead as a VI climber was great, great to see and great to be a part of.
Coaching on my own in the mountains with two very different human beings involving visual impairment, deafness, autism, varying personalities with the addition of climbing risk and the main objective of transferring coaching value was extremely intense and in turn extremely satisfying.
 |
| Sight guiding with John |
Coaching Paraclimbing in the Pyrenees is something special for me as the place has a unique atmosphere untouched by tourism and getting the chance to show these guys this special find was nice. Sight guiding John along the mountainside to the crag with Jay following behind felt quite profound. We must have seemed a little bizarre to our French friends.
 |
| Jay leading outdoors |
 |
| John on a 6a+ |
 |
A big thanks from Jay to DMM and V12
for sponsoring his trip with much needed gear |
It's not just the climbing environment that is challenging to manage but the hours before and after where you are depended upon for physical support and guidance and mentaly restructuring explanations to make them more understandable but at the same time legitimate. Worth it to see their smiling faces on top of a mountainside with great landscapes falling behind them.
Revisiting the Pyrenees was a personal journey that worked out well for me as I hoped it would.
 |
| Base Calames |
Thanks to Jon Stoelker and family for looking after us at their Gite :
Base Calames.
Posts
