"A word on the spot is worth a cartload of recollections"
James Maggs, Southwold diarist 1797-1890

Monday 24 February 2014

Day 9 - Stonndalen / Stonner?

We woke to rain and warm temperatures. The plan was to have another short day before having another crack at Langåni tomorrow, so we drove up to where we'd spotted MM's party parked 2 days ago. 
There had been snow at that level overnight, so we got the snow shovel out and exerted ourselves. The road was closed further up toward Hol by snow, and we didn't expect to see any passing vehicles that could help if we got stuck.
A short 10 minute walk-in brought its to the base of a bulge of grade 3 ice, which I led, up to the main event: 60m of WI4+/5 steepness. Nick dispatched it in good style remarking afterwards that, although it hadn't felt hard, it had needed his full concentration. It was certainly pumpy on second. (It's a good sign though that the pump is disappearing quickly).

2 comments:

  1. Hanging on to axes works the forearms (obvs) and the steeper the ice, the harder the work (double obvs); consequently - or when unfit - forearm muscles swell with effort and with lactic acid build-up. This is the Pump

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