← Back to Writing October 5, 2026
Monday Momentum

The Crux You Don’t Solve Alone

Pete warmed up on the same route and sent it on his second round. I top-roped it twice and led it once, and the crux is still unsolved. It reminded me that the hard parts go better with a team, which is why Smart Mountains either becomes one or closes.

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Climber in a white helmet reaching for a hold on the limestone wall of I Thought You Had It at Winspit, with the sea behind

Monday Momentum – October 5

Pete didn’t plan to send it. He warmed up on I thought You had it at Winspit, went back for a second round and climbed it clean.

I top-roped it, led it, then top-roped it again, because the day was running out and I had evening commitments. I got to the top on the lead, but I haven’t sent it. The overhanging cross move is the problem. It isn’t a crux for the stronger, younger climbers there. It is for me. I’ve done it on top rope and not yet on the lead, and I simplified the technical moves before and after it to reach the top. Closing it properly won’t be quick, but it’s a project I want to finish. Red Rain, Ancient Order of Freemarblers and the 6cs I’ve left unsent come next.

Watching Pete, I saw what changes the outcome. A move that stops me didn’t stop him, and that is the value of having someone on the wall beside you. His warm-up showed me a line I hadn’t tried. JC’s encouragement from the ground kept me on the rock. I can climb a lot alone, but I wouldn’t have led it that day without them.

Smart Mountains is in the same position. Either it becomes a real team effort, with shared ownership and everyone on the same rope, or we close it. I won’t keep carrying it alone and calling that progress. Over the next few weeks I’ll put that choice to the people involved, old and new.

If you want to try this yourself, pick the project where you’ve been grinding alone and ask one person close to it for ten minutes. What stops you may be easy for them. If nobody wants to climb it with you, you’ve learned something useful.

Last week was hard, for reasons outside my control. It’s behind me. The job now is to finish what’s open and clear space, because space is where the next good thing arrives.

This week:

  • UK NED: follow-ups to move the search forward.
  • New engagements: following up on the conversations already started.
  • The four Italian clients: a clear next step with each of them.
  • Smart Mountains: a team or a close, decided and said out loud.

To close those routes, I need to train more, for myself and to keep up with my girls.