| Thanks for a great holiday. Came back from Sardinia and went straight into leading the VS's at Ilkley (could barely get up a Severe beforehand). Then off to Trow Gill and redpointed a 6a. Then led my first HVS in the Lakes this weekend (Tritus at Raven Crag - steep and juggy) - better still my partner tried first, but gave up after a few moves!!! He says I'm a different climber and is just a little peeved!!! I'm now starting to think an E grade is realistic rather than an impossible dream. Just must do what the coaches say and keep it going. Thanks again! Caroline - Sardinia - May 2007 _________________________ Thanks for an inspirational few days. I seem to have more impetus to my climbing now with some definite goals to aim for. Simon - Peak District - July 2007 _________________________ Ever since Sardinia I’ve wanted to mail you to let you know how well my climbing is going. I red-pointed a 6b+ (Monolith in Arhi) and followed with a 6a+ (Joy in the Garden in Ghost Kitchen ) onsight! As you can imagine, I was really pleased with myself and I was dying to tell you! Anyway, I owe this improvement to your coaching on Sardinia - thank you so much for your help! When I´m climbing I still hear your little bits of advice when I get stuck somewhere. And your belief in me that I could flash that 6b gives me real confidence that I can climb. I´ve still got a lot to learn, but I feel a lot more confident on the rock now. Fiona - Sardinia - May 2007 _________________________ I’ll admit to being initially sceptical about the idea of coaching for climbing but the weekend with Steve and Ben proved my scepticism to be unfounded. Steve and Ben were everything you would expect and more. Technically accomplished, enthusiastic and motivational are just a few of the words I’d have expected to use before the event but the way they moulded the weekend to meet our requirements was brilliant and to the list I could also add friendly, modest, helpful, thoughtful and more. I would especially like to thank Ben for ‘pointing out the obvious’ (he’ll know what I mean) on the arête of Chequers Buttress. If that’s all I remember then I’ll climb better for it. Ultimately it felt more like a weekend spent with friends rather then being back at school, and I have a good (long!) list of areas to work at over the winter and beyond. Thanks for a great weekend. Ben - Peak District - October 2005 _________________________ I spent five days on a PlanetFear trad leading trip coached by Ben in Pembroke in 2006. He was extremely friendly, approachable and down-to-earth. His explanations of the practical and mental aspects of leading were always clear, and his insights were interesting. Ben’s calmness helped to settle my leader nerves and under his tutelage I on-sighted my first E! His upbeat attitude made the whole trip fun. Roslyn McKendry - Pembroke - August 2006 | 