Saturday was a busy day at the Foundry, as the centre hosted the BMC Leading Ladder Final.
The level of climbing was impressive across each of the Recreational, Improver and Elite categories.
Highlight of the day came when Jonathan Stocking came close to flashing the hard-as-nails 8b right up the middle of the main wall - coming off trying to manoeuvre up the tufa on the head wall.
The day ended on a spectacular high, as Tara Hayes and Sarah Pashley competed in a superfinal for the female improver under 16's category.
Both girls showed some amazing skills on the 7a+ on the left of the main wall - matching on tiny crimps and working through some really shouldery moves - each managing to reach the same big pinch two thirds up the route. A tie was declared after both Tara and Sarah had dazzled a crowd of climbers of all levels.
Special thanks must be given first of all to the BMC for running the successful leading ladder competition, second, to all of the top climbers who competed, providing a greatly entertaining day for all who were spectating.
Routesetters Rob Napier and Dan Walker set some tough and engaging routes, and worked hard in the weeks running up to the final.
Finally, thanks to all the Foundry staff (Karl, Joe, Tim and Jen), who, lead by Manager Neil Bentley, manned the centre on such a busy day.
Photography by Tom Napier © 2009
