Chasing tides

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The Gower Peninsula! Year two of our climbing escapades here, and you'd think we'd have learned our lessons. Nope! Majestic cliffs? Check. Serene coastal vistas? Double-check. Unexpected twists courtesy of Mother Nature? Yeepppp!!

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Picture this: Four, slightly lacking In brain cells, musketeers of the rock faces - Chew (that's me), Emerson, Matt, and our brave newbie, Nick. One of us had more climbing experience than a mountain goat at a rock concert, (Emerson) Me and Matt were still proffecient but slightly less than a mountain goat, while Nick was as green as... well, the grass we hoped wasn't beneath our next step.

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Day one, and we're already feeling like adventurers straight out of a fantasy novel. We descend upon this hidden cove, practically hearing the siren call of perfect climbing spots. The tide was low, revealing a shimmering pool of temptation. We're all set for a post-climb dip. After a refreshing dip. One nick enjoyed in the nude. Only some small swing action. (To be fair it was quite cold).

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But, plot twist! As we were wrapping up for the day we realised, nature pulled a fast one. Our exit path? Now the domain of frolicking fish. Enter Emerson, our expedition's Gandalf. With a twinkle in his eye (Or maybe just... high?), he spots an alternate route. A 5c traverse over the frolicking fish followed by a walk through a cave that looked like it was one dramatic sigh away from collapsing. Just what every climber dreams of, right?

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Emerson breezes through the traverse like he's on a Sunday stroll. Meanwhile, I'm behind him, playing Spielberg with my camera, hoping for an Oscar-worthy shot (or at least something for the family group chat). I follow second to take out the gear and get up their quick (I have a fear of being stuck) Also I needed shots from above so that`s a better excuse. Next was nick`s turn. "I can`t, I can`t" are a few of the cries coming from good old Nickleback, he tackled that climb with the spirit of a man who's found his calling. I was truly proud and astonished. That, to me, is an massive and incredibly important part about climbing. 

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But ah, the cave! It's like stepping into a scene from an Indiana Jones movie, minus the booby traps (we hoped). Every step was a delicate dance of balance and bravery. Keeping silent with every step to avoid any vibration of the delicate ceiling. Much like the days of sneaking home late at night so not to wake the parents, but with the added danger of death rather than a slipper round the head. 

We all got through alive just so you don`t worry. 

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As we regrouped, trekking back with tales taller than our climbing stories, the challenges of the day became our evening's comedy. Laughter echoed louder than our earlier shouts, and our bond as brothers was thicker than the mud on our boots.

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This is a memory I will remember for a while and it`s these unexpected mental challenges that make climbing amazing to me and is a massive part of life. The philosophies and lessons from this experience we can transfer to other aspects of our lives and make us much more mentally strong than we ever thought possible. As well as making a better friendship with the boys cuz we all nearly died together. Bonus!!

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