About Gary King

I’m a writer, speaker and lover of all things that raise the heartbeat and tickle the senses. If there is one thing that I’ve learnt from my years of extreme sport and adventure travel is that life is for living - not spectating.

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Jamie Endres at Redpoint Climbing Centre

By Gary King on 27 January 2010 16:43:37

Guest blogger and extreme sports writer Jamie Endres has been training at Redpoint Climbing Centre in Birmingham for over a year now. He's gone from complete novice to being pretty nifty up a rockface. Here's his take on a recent session.

Leap of Faith

Grip. I need more grip. Chalk, that’s better, only a couple more moves and I’ve done it. The rope feels heavy now as I come to the end of my climb, my movements slow and deliberate. ‘Click’, that relieving sound when I manage to clip in to the next quick draw, each one a small victory as I ascend to the top of the wall, 40ft in the air.

I’m at Redpoint Climbing Centre in Birmingham, a climbers’ paradise all under one roof. I came today looking for a few steady climbs with my climbing buddies, but under the persuasive influence of the centre’s jubilant staff, and the promise of a homemade cake when I get down, I find myself pushing more and more, higher and harder.

The staff at Redpoint are always on hand to offer encouragement, whether it be a pointer to the next move, or simply shouting, “Go on Jay!”, it creates a buzzing atmosphere, I feel like everyone is behind me, driving me up the wall. I’ve been climbing at Redpoint for a little over a year, when I first came here I was a total beginner, I was welcomed into the centre with open arms, and with the excellent relaxed yet professional teaching skills of the staff I quickly progressed to be a accomplished lead climber.

This next moves a big reach, I scan the wall for alternative routes, there’s nothing, I’m going to have to dyno. I ask for a little slack on the rope from my partner, steady my feet and prepare to leap, “Go on Jay, it’s just a dyno!”, always playful. “Yeah” I reply sheepishly, “just a dyno”. I spring off with both off my feet, using all the energy I can muster, I feel my fingers grasp the hold, I grip with everything I have, now searching with my feet for the foot hold, desperately trying to take the weight off my hand. I find it, my saviour, adrenaline pumping through me, the next two moves are easy, confidence fills me, I clip in, lean back, and make my decent, victorious.

The centre has over 200 hundred routes, with a wide range of grades, making it ideal for both beginners and experts, it also boasts 2 large bouldering areas capable of straining the skills of even the most technically able climbers, making every visit enjoyable and challenging. You will find yourself quite literally hooked.

For more information about the Redpoint Climbing Centre visit www.redpointclimbingcentre.co.uk.