Mark Bolam
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Everything posted by Mark Bolam
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My best one rep max on the bench was 102.5 kg. Bodyweight around 12 stone.
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I only wear gloves for climbing when it's cold, and I'm impressed with how well my Pfanner Ice Grips are holding up. Not exactly breaking the bank at about £6 a pair either.
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I hope it's the chain. If it's not you might have Parkinsons.
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The one I have is the HAAS Velox, the clip and go one. Check it out at Skyland, Honeys, Gustharts, Jonesie's etc. Worth every penny.
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The HAAS is golden mate ( Haul Ass Ascent System). It basically means you are using both legs instead of one, easier and smoother ascent. Works both Ddrt and SRT. A few of the lads have built their own. I bought mine because I've got no objection to giving Michael Frankenhauser a few quid for inventing it. I'm on the HAAS 2 now. I prefer the one that just clips to a footloop, which I wear separately.
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Some woman. I remember the shepherdess Emma Gray talking about her in her book. RIP Hannah.
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So what? I’m a feminist. I’m all for equality.
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Bloody lesbians are taking over.
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Put the rope in the pulley on the deck. Does the pulley still spin? If yes, you can use it. If no, you can’t. It’s not ideal, but should be ok in the configuration you describe. Excessive rope wear would be my concern. I’ve rigged off my side D’s before when I ran out of options, so I’m probably not the best person to ask.
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One last reduction before I hang my harness up
Mark Bolam replied to Steve Bullman's topic in General chat
Steve - the new business ideas are coming in already. I did 12000ft in a 30ft conny once when I started. Well it felt like that. -
Petzl’s stance on the Pantin has always intrigued me. It was a game changer for me, and I thank them for that, but I always had a problem with kick out. I’m not interested with hearing bullshit about ‘changing my technique’. In the real world a 50’ obstacle free ascent doesn’t happen often, I just need to get up the tree. The fact I can simply kick my foot back to free the Pantin was never a selling point for me. If I can’t reach my foot and disengage a catch (CT) in about a second, should I really be climbing? We discussed it with their rep girl at a show a few years back, and after giving us a load of grief because we’d all switched to CT, she kicked out about 4 times in a straight 30’ ascent. Rule, Shutler, Minty, Newton - all the big dogs of the UK climbing scene were with me, and can verify. Petzl - put the catch on as standard. We can make the decision whether we engage it or not!
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Yes. You need a HAAS or similar.
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One last reduction before I hang my harness up
Mark Bolam replied to Steve Bullman's topic in General chat
Good luck with the web design, for anyone in the game who needs one you will have a unique niche in the market in actually knowing what you’re talking about! See you later this year mate. -
One last reduction before I hang my harness up
Mark Bolam replied to Steve Bullman's topic in General chat
Seriously, as a gun climber for hire it ruins you. I’m loving it again because I’m climbing a lot less, and match fitness doesn’t matter because they’re my jobs and I know I can’t climb at commercial pace for a full day anymore. The lads are right, the itch to climb will get stronger as you get fatter.... You could rule the over 40’s comps! -
One last reduction before I hang my harness up
Mark Bolam replied to Steve Bullman's topic in General chat
I applaud your decision Steve. Just checked the climber rankings and I’ve moved up one. -
That’s a sexy pic. I’d do all of them.
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CT. Right foot for me. Seemed natural as I’m massively right footed. Goofy on a board, like. HAAS on the left unless it’s a short ascent. Then I wish I’d used the HAAS.
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Got worn away, likely.
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They were going to but they're in a massive sulk because they found out some mavericks were using the TM for SRT, which it's not designed for. They have been sitting in a darkened room cutting up Rope Wrenches with a hacksaw for the last few years.
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I've done similar to a hedge that was left as a screen for a building development, then removed and replaced with a fence once the buildings was complete. We cut one side right back to the butts, left the other side untouched, and whipped the tops off. The hedge was pretty much halved in width, which made the topping much easier. Obviously it looked hideous from the side we halved, but noone cared, especially me. That was the most effective way of achieving the desired result. I wouldn't price anything without a site visit, so I can't help you there. I'd go close board panels every time now for fencing, slotted into posts. I don't understand the obsession with building close board fences. I have them round mine and they are the bane of my life.
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No more bareback for this cowboy Joe. You know me, safety first.
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I’ll ask her. I’m worried it might turn her on though.
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Oh I’ve done that a few times mate. DOMS in calves is like nothing else. 2 sets tonight, no weight. Easing in slowly.
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Les, that is a very kind offer, thank you. I don't really climb enough days to do a trial justice, though. I can ask one of the gun climbers I use if they would put one through it's paces and write an honest review though?
