NICK LORD
I have a firm belief that human beings should have their feet as near to sea level as possible. As someone who becomes dizzy and jelly legged at the top of a three rung stepladder, I was wondering how I would cope with talking to Nick Lord about his passion in life; rock climbing.
Nick came to the area 9 years ago from Kirby Muxloe and has been teaching for 17 years. He now teaches at Kibworth Primary School and lives in a bungalow on the Fleckney Road which he shares with his three dogs Cassie, a boxer, Benji, a boxer/great dane cross and Frizby, a collie. When I went to interview Nick I was warmly greeted by the dogs and licked, given a ball to throw and a paw to hold. After my new friends had calmed down I asked Nick the fundamental question, "Why do you climb?" In an age of hustle and bustle, noise and pollution the 'getting away from it' element was high on his list. So too was the appreciation of the grandeur of the scenery. He also likes the high element of danger associated with the sport and finds it takes time to relax after a stimulating climb that has got plenty of adrenaline pumping.
Nick began climbing 10 years ago. He had been hill walking for some time but was aware that there were areas he could not reach without extra skills. One day he saw a mountain leadership course advertised on the staff room notice board and decided to apply. The course lasted a year, involving weekends and evenings. Passing the course enabled him to take groups of young people up into the hills and mountains. Nick joined the Leicestershire Mountain Leadership Association and now spends one weekend away climbing in either Wales, the Peaks, the Lake District or Scotland. He has yet to climb abroad as he feels there are plenty of challenges within the UK. The highest he has yet climbed is 4,000ft in Scotland, and that was from sea level. Leicestershire, I discovered is very rich in areas to climb from disused quarries to natural outcrops of rock in Bradgate Park and even an old railway bridge at Slawston. Climbing 150ft sheer rock faces is not what I would call fun.
Having the correct equipment is vital to gain safe enjoyment of the sport. £300 will buy you a good set of kit, with a rope costing around £100. After every climb Nick examines all his kit and logs each use of the rope. Beginners can borrow kit from a club but once you buy your own you tend not to lend it to others and treat it with care and respect as your life could depend on it.
I asked Nick whether he had fallen and injured himself at any time.and was told of two hair raising incidents, one when he was climbing in the Lakes and he fell off an icy rock and broke his arm; the rock was 2ft high! The other accident, which resulted in him having 5 months away from work, was much nearer to home, in fact in his bedroom. He got out of bed one morning, fell over one of the dogs and hit the wooden bed frame! This resulted in four broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a punctured lung! Well they do say that there are more accidents in the home than anywhere else. It would appear that Nick is in fact safer climbing mountains than he is staying at home.
Nick is the Vice-Chairman of the Leicestershire Mountain Leadership Association and would be very interested in hearing from any reader over 18 years of age who is interested in hill walking, rock climbing, mountaineering, or mountain biking. Do not worry if you are only a beginner as training is available. Nick can be contacted on 279 6585.
I am sure Nick will continue to gain great enjoyment from his outdoor activities. I for my part have nothing but admiration for someone who considers it fun to dangle hundreds of feet above the ground but I will keep my feet as close to sea level as possible.
© Michael Pearce1996
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© Kibworth & District Chronicle 1998