Twenty Club members kicked off the Club’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations during 2026 by turning up at Boulders UK climbing wall to each climb fifty routes within a day.
“50 @ 50 @ Boulders“, that was the aim.
The original idea was to get 50 routes done within a day, with a number of outdoor options being considered. None of the local crags really lent themselves to achieving this, although Mick Learoyd did once solo 50 routes at The Gap near Quakers Yard! Sense prevailed and Boulders in Cardiff was chosen for its good variety of routes and bouldering options; also, considering the time of year, it was indoors!
An early start for some
Saturday 15th March 2026 turned out to be perfect for indoor climbing. The weather cooperated by providing dank and drizzly.
Mick and Haydn turned up to find that three duos were already ten routes in and on their first coffee break! Kath Singleton with Jo Dodd, Martin Skinner with Michael Brown, and James Shaughnessy with his partner, Phil, had all got off to an early start.
The rules were simple
The race was on — except it wasn’t meant to be a race!
The rules of the challenge were simple. You or your team just had to climb fifty routes or boulder problems individually or between the team.
As the day wore on, the number of routes between cups of coffee decreased. This was not a rule!
Early finishers and late arrivals
James Shaughnessy and Phil were early finishers just after lunch. They completed 50 routes each. Paul O’Neil also finished early with 50 boulder problems under his harness.
The remaining teams (Mick Learoyd & Haydn Griffith, Jo Dodd & Kath Singleton, Martin Skinner & Mike Brown) paced themselves but began running out of new climbs at sensible grades. The ante was upped, resulting in sore fingers and wilting arms for some.
Reuben Braybrook split the day between climbing routes, bouldering and revising for his university exams.
Lee James and Abbie arrived in the afternoon and soon set about playing catchup; as did Alison Singleton. Impressively, Alison completed 50 routes on the auto belay in one hour and twenty minutes.
50 @ 50 @ Boulders — a good fun day
Altogether, around twenty Club members turned up, either to climb or support. All those who participated reached the goal with grades climbed ranging from Fr 4 to 6b+.
Front row: Llio, Kath
Everyone agreed that “50 @ 50 @ Boulders” was a good, fun day and a great start to the Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Haydn Griffiths
15th March 2026.
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