The New Rock + Run Website

The new Rock + Run website has gone live this morning.

Our design principals are centred around simplicity and usability and we were keen to retain an uncluttered, clean, functional design.

There are a lot of new users features on the site which are listed below however, the majority of our work has been concentrated on integrating the public site with our back office stock/order processing system. In practical terms this means that if a product is available to buy on-line it will be in stock in our warehouse. Although this may sound like an obvious thing to do it is actually fairly difficult to achieve for a small company. The benefits to our customers will be less time wasted ordering out of stock products, faster delivery times and ultimately better prices on a greater range of products as we increase our efficiency and reduce the cost of order processing.

Here are some of the new features on the public site:

In Stock/Out of Stock Buy Buttons
These buttons directly reflect stock availability. This simple feature addresses a host of issues relating to the efficiency of our whole operation and ultimately means that will be able offer a better service to our customers.



Improved Search Facility
Shopping web sites are essentially a big database of products and a good 'Search' facility is essential for quick navigation. Our new search is fast and allows searches by product name, product code, brand or product category.



Quick Sorting of Product Lists
Refine any search results or any other product page you navigate to by a number of most used list sorts.



Improved Newsletter Sign-Up and Management
You can now select activities that interest you most when you sign up for our newsletter e.g. mountaineering or walking. Old email address that Bounce are automatically removed from the list. Unsubscribing is quick an easy too.




Product reviews
Write your own review of any product. Reviews are moderated but that doesn't mean we wont be publishing negative reviews as well as positive.



Live Help
This is similar the MS Instant Messeneger, Skype or Apple iChat. Clicking the 'Live Help' button on the left tool bar brings up a chat window that connects direct to our office in Cumbria. For those of you who are used to using similar systems you will know that this is a really efficient method of communication which, unlike a phone call, allows you to chat in real time while doing other things and not distracting others around you. From our side we can point you to product pages, offer advice, transfer files and deal with order queries.



RSS Feed to the Latest Articles on the R+R Blog
There is a permanent RSS feed on the left tool bar to the latest 4 articles on the Rock + Run Blog. This simple feature gives us the flexibility to publish pretty much anything we feel is relevant without cluttering (and slowing,)the shopping part of the site.




Order History
View your previous order history. This is useful if you want re-order items or check orders against card statements.



Improved Card Acceptance
We had some problems on our old site with Solo and Maestro. The new site is fully compatible.



Embedded Video Clips
We will be embedding short video clips on some products.



800 x 800 Image Option
We've opted for large format images when you click to view a large image. The advantage is that we can we can show products in much greater detail than possible previously. Example

Multiple Product Images
Some products have multiple product images which is useful to highlight detail. Example.

Bugs
Hopefully there won't be many bugs but there will be some. Please report bugs to andy@rockrun.com

Article: The Great Lakes Bolt Debate of The Early 90s

In the late 80s and early 90s the Lakes bolt debate reached fever pitch. Its probably not an exaggeration to say that it was a pivotal moment in British climbing the outcome of which formed the basis of BMC policy on fixed protection.

Initially the debate was polarised around climbers in the Ambleside area who were pro bolting and wanted to develop the Lakes slate quarries as sport climbing destinations and on the opposing side, climbers in the Ulverston area who wanted to protect Lakes climbing from the very real possibility of bolts appearing on the mountain crags.

The argument for the pro lobby was basically that bolting should be acceptable in the quarries and limestone crags which would probably have been accepted by all if it weren’t for several infamous aggravating incidents.

Three incidents more than any others fueled the debate and polarised opinion.

The first was the creation of the inspirationally named ‘Dog Fight at Virgin Massacre Creek’ by Paul Cornforth. The route ascends a totally smooth vertical wall on the otherwise rubbishy unclimbed side of Hodge Close Quarry. The controversy centred around the fact that the route was almost entirely chipped out of an otherwise hold-less and unclimbable sheet of smooth slate. Shortly after the first ascent the holds were filled in with cement by the anti bolt lobby.

Next, inspired by Corny’s route at Hodge Close, John Dunne rode into town packing a fully charged Hilti and promptly drilled/chipped the huge blank wall at Cathedral Quarry in preparation for a televised climbing competition. This was considered to be a much worse crime than ‘Dog Fight’ by the Ministry of Ethics because not only had chipping taken place but it was motivated by greed and financial gain.

The third incident was considered to be the ultimate sacrilege and caused debate far beyond the borders of Cumbria. Dave Birkett, who was just emerging as the great power of Lakes climbing, placed a single bolt on his new route at Raven Crag Langdale - ‘Dawes Rides a Shovel Head’. A team from North Wales chopped the bolt shortly after and Dave returned to lead the route without it.



Dave Birkett on 'Dawes Rides a Shovel Head' without the bolt as featured on the front cover the FRCC Langdale Guide.

With no Internet much of the arguing took place at the de rigour café of the era, the famous ‘Wilfs Café’ which was situated above Rock + Run Ambleside at that time. Local climber and social commentator Martin Bagness captured the essence of the period with this series of tongue in cheek cartons posted in the Rock + Run New Routes book.



The original chipping incident at Hodge Close provokes an engineering solution by the guardians of Lakes climbing.



The retro bolting of routes at Parrock Quarry by the original first ascentionists are an instant hit with the climbing public who are disinterested with the wider debate and just want to enjoy some safe climbing in the quarries.


The ultimate sacrilege - a bolt on a Lakes mountain crag. The local Ethics Police draft in support from North Wales.







Climbing instructors, seen as part of the wider climbing establishment and therefore anti bolting, get caught in the cross fire.





The story ends happily ever after....

Article: La Pedriza

La Pedriza is a National Park to the north of the Spanish capital Madrid, and covers the area around the village of Manzanares el Real. It is a spectacular area with crazy rock geometry, a playground for any climber. The main features are its golden granite domes and spires, which have been the background to some early western films.

Back in February 2004 I visited Pedriza and some other nearby areas. Whilst the weather wasn't great for me, I managed to experience some of the climbing and atmosphere of the place, and I thought I'd pass on some knowledge.

Photo: Mayayo Route (Summitpost.org)

There are hundreds of routes in Pedriza, many of which are characterised by long beautiful slabs of fine to medium grained golden granite. There’s something here for everyone, an assortment of routes from those that you could quite happily walk or scramble up, to and a handful of French 8a+/8b slab climbs, probably amongst the largest concentration of hard slab climbing in the world.

You can easily drive into the park where one of your main bases is the Bar/Restaurant of El Canto Cochino. From here you cross the river where there are climbs nearby such as routes on La Tortuga (The Turtle), which is pictured above. However one of the main attractions takes you on a two and a bit hours hike up to El Yelmo - which is one of the main features of the park as it rises above its smaller brother and sister domes to a height of 1716m.

Most of the climbs in the Park are bolted, though many have some long runouts so it may be worth taking a few nuts and some cams to help calm those nerves. A single rope is often all you need but 60m or maybe 70m are useful.

The area is quite confusing with a mass of walls, boulders and slabs - it can be easy to get lost if you don’t pay attention. Finding our way to some of the more distant crags proved a little difficult; in retrospect a walkers guide would have been useful in getting us to the crags. Sometimes we felt the maps in our guide book a bit lacking in detail, as there are many paths that run their way through the prickly shrubs and bushes.

"Watch out for the Vultures!"

When to go:
Many of the Climbs are south facing which makes it a good winter destination. Central Spain is generally quite dry in winter and can even be quite mild, also going in the coolest months means that you will be able to get more friction from the rock. There is more chance of rain either side of winter, going into the spring and autumn, but still good climbing conditions. Summer is to be avoided unless you like burning up in 40 degress on a blank slab with disco leg and your boot rubber creeping!

Guides:
I used Pedriza Guia De Escalada Deportiva. This is a Spanish text only guide, and it’s compact and has line diagrams marking a selection of routes and a basic map to help get you to the crags.
This guide can be obtained through Rock + Run here.







Pedriza Escalada Faciles, is a guide to the easier climbs in Pedriza, from grade 3s to 5+s. They are found on the classic outcrops. Whilst I have not personally used it (as it came out after I had been), I have seen comments that say it’s a great little guide to the area’s best easy climbs.

These guides and others can be picked up in Manzanares el Real.

Access:
Being not far from Madrid Barajas airport, Pedriza makes a great short break destination; it is easily accessible from the UK. Easyjet fly from Edinburgh, Gatwick, Luton and Liverpool. If you keep looking you can occasionally get a real bargain.

When you are there you can hire a car, but even this is not essential as you can catch a bus to Manzanares el Real from Madrid (Plaza de Castilla Station – Line 724). This takes about three quarters of an hour, see time tables route information and prices here.

Photo above: © Rafael Maroto

Accomodation and day to day living:
• Camping is not allowed in the park although you are able to bivi. It is recommended that you take water with you as the water quality and quantity can vary a lot.
• There is camping at Camping El Ortigal, at Manzanares el Real, details can be found here.
• We spent a bit of time in the climbing shop Tienda de Aventuras which can be found up some easily visible stairs in the square in Manzanares el Real. The staff were very helpful in pointing out the best places to start as they have a good local knowledge. They have all the necessary guides, and kit you may require.
• On the Main Street there is a good supermarket for all your food requirements.
• There is also a garage for petrol, and to get your keys out of a locked hire car if you follow our example!

Tips:

• Take a small Spanish/English dictionary, it can help with the Spanish guides and learn your hello's please and thankyou's before you go.
• Boots, take a nice smeary pair, I would take two pairs, due the granite and the amount of smearing you will be doing an extra pair would be good in case you go through your first.
• Don’t take me if you want good weather!
  

Further information:

• For some great photos of Pedriza click Summitpost.org
• interclimbing.com has some basic photo topos for some routes in Pedriza
• Hopefully you wont have to resort to a climbing wall but if you do I can recommend Espacio Accion (The link will take you to directions, opening times etc.)

Royal Mail Postal Disruptions

UPDATE 24/08/07
The postal strikes are on hold until further notice. As such our normal services are resumed unless otherwise stated.

Dear Customer,

As I'm sure you are aware all UK postal services are encountering disruptions due to the ongoing dispute between the Royal Mail staff and management and the resultant strikes.

Until this dispute is resolved all Royal Mail deliveries are subject to delays of upto 10 working days. In an effort to alleviate the situation we will be sending as many items as possible via our courier (Initial City Link) on a next working day service - thus preventing any delay to you.

Although we technically require a signature for all deliveries we realize many of our customers ordering lower value or lighter goods assume that if they are not at home the goods will be available for collection at their local post office/depot. Obviously this will not be possible if your goods are sent via a courier whom WILL require a signature, so, please give us a delivery address where there will be somebody available to sign for the goods.

If you require your goods urgently ensure they are sent via our courier by entering "Courier Please" in the Notice to Rock + Run box on the checkout screen of our website.

For those of you who have goods in the Royal Mail system we apologies for any inconvenience caused by delivery delays. Don't hesitate to get in contact with us if you have any queries - 015395 64540.

Kind regards, Rock + Run

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The Graviton: Available Now!

Like the hypothetical particle of the same name the NEW Rock + Run Graviton allows its user (through proper usage) mastery and control over the force of gravity.

"In physics, the graviton is a hypothetical elementary particle that mediates the force of gravity in the framework of quantum field theory". Wikepedia

A true variable-friction device, the new Rock + Run Graviton maintains the smooth feed of a standard belay device but ups the braking power with the addition of two sets of friction teeth. For belaying and rapping with 8-11 millimeter ropes it is designed with a smooth low friction side but also a high friction side with v-shaped grooves giving three times more friction-lock. An extended central cable loop keeps biners and ropes properly orientated and reduces kinking.

The Graviton has been designed with the modern climber in mind and is adaptable across a wide range of disciplines but with a minimum of fuss and weight.

An evolution from the standard “ATC” style of belay device the new Graviton with its 'V' grooves to give much more belaying ‘bite’ and simple organic shape, make this a modern device that is truly confidence inspiring.

So from after work sessions down the climbing wall, to sports climbing on Kalymnos, double rope traditional or Alpine here’s a device that’s effective and gives total confidence in one neat package. Sitting beautifully in the hand the Graviton is easy on the eye, forgiving and obvious to use - even for a beginner.

At 66grams it is also one of the lightest “advanced” belay devices on the market, as well as offering an excellent level of versatility on rope diameters, with a simple shape, a large keeper loop and a stylish range of colours the Graviton should be your next best friend and remain by your side for years to come.

As with all belay devices we recommend the use of a decent sized HMS (such as the Austria Alpin HMS Magic), although, for those weight shavers out there, the device will operate safely with most screwgates.

As with all our own brand equipment we have upped the ante in an effort to give you the consumer the best products without doing to much damage to your wallet. By condensing the supply chain we have successfully cut the costs to the consumer. The result is another great product at an even better price!

Product Specification:

• Weight: 66 Grams
• Standards: CE Rated and 3-Sigma Rated (Safety ratings carried out by Wild Country UK)
• Colours: Orange, Silver and Blue
• Price: £10.00

Purchase the Graviton here.

Rock + Run Guided Tours #2

As promised a few weeks back we have finally completed our Rock + Run Guided Tours #2 production - Trowbarrow 1.0 Selected Routes and Boulder Problems.

Unlike many quarries of it’s time Trowbarrow is a well hidden scar on the landscape and it’s only when seen from above the hammer shaped trough of this well disguised furrow becomes obvious. Until it’s extrication from the clutches of Tarmac Ltd in the mid to late 1990’s Trowbarrow was technically a forbidden zone for climbers. In fact up until very recently the yellow painted signs stating “NO CLIMBING” could still be made out on both Red Wall and the area below Jomo...

Click here to download the guide absolutely free.
(Note: For easier browsing allow the file to load then save it to your desktop via the disc icon on the top left of your Acrobat browser window)

The file is a PDF, to view it you will require Adobe Reader.


Please feel free to offer any feedback via the comments facility below.