They dumped their stuff on the ground and gave the group a minute or two to catch up and gaze up to the top of the thirty-metre face. It always silenced a group of beginners but once they reached the top, the euphoria was epic. They’d all climbed tougher routes up the wall inside the centre. And that was the point – to feel rock and earth as it had stood for millions of years. There was nothing like it. Kev would demonstrate first, and they’d take it slowly, with Johnny belaying at the bottom. A thrum of excitement travelled round the small group and they huddled together, fastening harnesses, checking the stickiness of their shoes, counting carabiners and fiddling with ropes.

Kev got them together and made his typical speech about respect, patience and weight transference.

‘Remember what we’ve discussed about Tai Chi and always having your weight in your waist, even if you do look like a crab hanging there. Do not climb with your arms!’ he bellowed. The group laughed. He’d drummed this into them a thousand times.

‘Climbing is about your feet and your position. Don’t get tired, there’s no need. Rest and use your whole body. Right, I’m going up first to show you the route. Watch my placings, it’ll do you a favour. Remember your body position over a stretch. Here we go.’

He patted the face and Johnny nodded to him. Kev fastened his helmet and began the ascent.

‘You may fall, but remember you will stop. I will place the cams as the lead climber, you’re following my route. All you have to do is feed the rope through your biner if it sticks; it should flow through nicely on its own. Belaying, which is what Johnny here has so kindly stepped in to do today, is another course and you’re all capable of it.’

Johnny got into position and they all watched as Kev set off. Callum was in awe of the way he moved from hold to hold, pushing in cams, as if he’d been born and raised on the face. His belt rattled with biners and cams, as well as bags of nuts and wires, and Callum imagined himself in a few years’ time with Kev’s skill. The method of choosing body position and grip, depending on the face, had come quite naturally to him and Kev dished out plenty of encouragement, which was another reason he was enjoying the sport so much.

Kev talked at every grip, about why he’d chosen to place a hand or foot there. The ropes dangled through his carabiners, and every now and again, he’d pull on his belay to demonstrate how strong it was, nodding to warn Johnny first.

Callum peered up and down, between the lead and the belay. He heard Johnny’s phone ring from his pocket and Kev admonished his friend in front of the group.