Rhapsody Repeated

Sonnie Trotter makes the second ascent of Rhapsody

Sonnie Trotter on the final moves of Rhapsody, Dumbarton Rock. Scotland. Photo copyright Hot Aches Productions

I woke this morning hung over and had to think hard. Did I dream all that about yesterday? But no. As you will see on Sonnie Trotters blog, Rhapsody put up a considerable fight, but it has, at last, been repeated.

A month of effort. A month of hoping for good conditions each day as we drove to the crag. 23 huge falls. Yesterday was warm, but after a long wait we finally had some wind. In fact it was a gale blowing against the headwall and up there it felt freezing.

Filming positions of the headwall at Dumbarton

On abseil my stabilising ropes were lashed so tight I thought they might snap. On 'ladder cam' at the top Diff had probably the scariest filming position in the world. Even on the ground Lynwen was battling with the wind.

There is a good story to be told about the ascent. Almost a fall from the finishing sloper. But Sonnie can tell the story better, and I'm sure he will.

In position waiting to film the ascent of Rhapsody.

Thanks to all the people who have helped us on this shoot. Garth, for the daily on the spot morning weather reports, Tony, Guy, Emma and Caroline for shooting additional camera for us, and to all the locals who have had to put up with us hogging the headwall for a month.

We are not quite finished yet at Dumbarton. Cory reached a new high point on Requiem yesterday. Every session he gets higher and one or two more sessions might be enough for success. So we'll be back this week.