‘On a lighter note, I’ll take you to the Cochamo Valley in Chile one day, and we’ll camp overnight on slings hanging off the face.’

‘Woah, that sounds amazing!’ Callum said.

‘I think we have an adrenaline junkie in the back, Josie.’

‘Have you done it?’

‘Yeah, it’s as incredible as it sounds. There’s good climbing to be had in Argentina as well, right next door. Yosemite Park is another good one.’

‘I didn’t know this about you, Dad.’

‘Well I don’t go around announcing it. Why would I? We’re almost there now. Kev’s a great climber, and he’s done much more than I have.’

Callum envisioned himself lead climbing in the Andes, hanging off a face, placing cams in tiny cracks, followed by Josie, in tight shorts, peering up at him, depending on him to choose the correct placing. His dream ended when Johnny stopped the car abruptly and announced they had arrived at the Bowderstone car park. The Bowderstone was a popular tourist destination and was simply a gigantic rock, six times the height of a tall man, balanced improbably on one edge, looking like it might topple at any moment. Visitors could climb up a ladder to take photos. No one knew if it was dumped there by deglaciation, or if it broke away from the crag above. Perhaps a wizard placed it there.

Woden’s Face was a fifteen-minute walk from the car park and Kev got everybody together to check equipment. The main face was thirty metres tall and had been used to nurture keen enthusiastic young climbers for decades. Callum’s stomach knotted as they carried the equipment through the trees to the base of the walk. Training and examining on the face was so popular now that slots were booked. The base was worn away from years of climbing group use, and was clear of vegetation and trees, but looking up, it looked like a vast jungle overhead, with ropes running up and down.

‘I was here this morning checking the route, conditions are perfect,’ Kev said to Johnny as they walked.

‘The next generation of climbers right here,’ Johnny replied. ‘Do you still do the Spanish trip? I think you’ve got a future Adam Ondra back there next to my daughter.’

Kev looked back. ‘Callum? He’s strong, seems keen.’

‘Perfect day. Remember the Isle of Skye?’

‘Jesus! Best view from the island? Fucking white out.’

‘And it was summer.’