Early Sunday morning when sitting in lounge one of guys came in, sit down on the sofa and first thing asked, when we are going to the rocks? When somebody told to him to relax, the answer was I came here for climbing not for relaxing!

This was the first day of legendary BMC International Climbing Meet that took place 9-16th May at Plas-y-Brenin in North Wales, and focussed on “World climbing standards”, and asked the question - where does it end?

Climbers from different countries came together to experience and enjoy British trad climbing on Welsh rocks. Many of the visitors actually have their first experience of trad climbing. There were many experienced climbers from Slovenia, Norway, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Russia, Sweden and other countries. There were three climbers from Latvia as well - Normunds Reinbergs, Rolands Laganovskis and Lauma Kazuša, that aren’t so world wide known yet as some British hosts, for example, Pat Littlejohn.

Traditionally this is the only week in May when there is good weather; at least it supposed to be good. First days looked gloomy and misty, the rocks in many places were wet and climbing didn’t look appealing. During the week the weather improved and by the end of the week there was sun everywhere. On Saturday, which was the last day of climbing, it was very hot, and climbing on rock faces exposed to the sun was hard. If at the start of the week some were complaining that it was too cold for climbing, than at the end of the week complains were about too hot weather for climbing.

The climbing level of climbers varied between total beginner and experienced climbers and mountain guides. There were two sherpas from Nepal, who haven’t been doing any rock climbing before, but they enjoyed it much. On the other hand there were some Norwegian climbers who have spent 40 days (instate of earlier planned 30) on the Norwegian Trango Pulpit Direct VII, A4, 5.11. It was nice to see the climbing enthusiasm of some climbers. One Lithuanian climber became popular because of his enthusiasm and pink hat, so at the end he was called “Pinky”.

During the meet some of guests gave presentations about places were they have been and what and how they have climbed. Films about climbing done by Alexander Klenov from Russia were nice, because in his films he was trying to show climbing as an activity for everyone, not only competition sport. There were as well to climbers from USA Charles Fryberger and Bennett Scott with them bouldering film ‘A Colorado Daydream: Once Around the Sun’. Of course there were presentations about climbing and bouldering in Great Britain given by British climber as well.

It was nice to see that everybody enjoyed climbing on Welsh rocks, not every day is a possibility to see climbers with different backgrounds climbing together. With every such meet we get richer in experiences and make new friends all around the world. And some time when we will go the rocks in some other country we may meet again.

See you on the rocks!

P.S.
During the Meet there was shadow of paparazzi following the action, more pics you can see on www.snowfire.co.uk