Thursday 23rd July: Attermire Scar

Perfect evening light, dynamic climbers in various coloured jackets... and we forgot the camera. (Picture courtesy of Google) However, six of us met at Attermire to enjoy the climbing and endure the cold wind - a bit tough for those of us that were climbing in 36 degree heat a few days ago! Departing as usual in the dark, we got lost on the walk-out and when we reached the lane we were nearly mown down by tractors working late on the haymaking - all contributing to a fun evening out in the Dales.

Thursday 16th

So - no photographs. Ah well. We were an all male party - or parties - so we we couldn't organise a photo shoot in a studio and multi-tasking was right out the window.

Yesterday we had a split site thing going on.  Those who could get away a little earlier (Mike and John) headed to Trowbarrow where they climbed Jean Jeanie, Aladdinsane and Cracked Actor (the last led by Mike late in the gathering gloom and seconded by John in the dark, with a torch in his mouth so he could see the holds; wished we had that photo!)

Those of us who were constrained for various reasons to a later start headed to Giggleswick North Upper Crag where we climbed a range of routes from HS, through VS to HVS and E1. So we covered most of the bases really.

Normal photography service will be resumed as soon as we get our acts together.

After much deliberation and weather watching, Stanage North was the final venue for Sundays climbing meet. 7 people, 2 bouldering mats and 1 dog set off from a wet damp Clitheroe car park (with hindsight an 8:30 meet was possibly a little early).

On arriving at Hathersage (still wet and damp) we decide to partake in a cuppa at Outside and wait for the sun to come out.

Luckily (for Linda) the sun arrived and we headed to the High Neb car park at Stanage. The 'boys' (Michael and John - new member) headed off and did Quietus (E2 5C) on High Neb and with their bouldering mats did the high ball Crescent Arete at Not To Be Taken Away, then worked hard on The Green Traverse at Plantation (with prior instructions not to be late for the return journey!)

Linda, Dave and Peter had their eyes on Crow Chin, whilst Tony and Amanda fancied a look at Incursion on End Slab. However once we all reached the latter we found it was horridly green/unattractive and decided to head back to Crow Chin, where the 5 of us spent a pleasant afternoon, although the wind at the top of the climbs was far from pleasant. Linda's favorite was Bent Crack, HVD (10 points go to Dave who was the only climber who didn't use his knees on this route). Tony preferred to do a little soloing plus the VS and HVS of Spring Sunshine and Perforation. Amanda loved the challenge of being back on grit (!).
We all headed off home around 5pm (yes Anne before dark!) in time for tea."

Thursday 9th July: Twistleton Scar

It was clear, windy and cold at Twistleton tonight - didn't feel much like July, with thermoses and lots of layers being the order of the day.

 

Dave and Peter spent their night battling the polish on left hand crack and right hand crack, whilst the rest of us were slightly further along the crag, around Priority.

Priority, VS 4c

Priority Corner, S 4a

Sickle Arete, VS 5a

Twistleton in the evening - Dave and Peter are somewhere on there on right hand crack.

Thursday 2nd July: Ingleton Wall

The plan was to meet at Oxenber Scar - but the elements had other plans, with the heavens opening around 4pm. So the eight of us bailed out of outdoor climbing and headed for Ingleton Wall instead - the first time most of us had visited since the new owner took over a couple of months back. For once, it wasn't too cold in there, and we had time for over 4 hours of routes, with the wall even staying open an extra half hour for Mike and John to finish off the features-only routes they were climbing.

Thursday 25th June: Potscar

As we walked up to the crag it started to rain; heavy spots. And we'd all seen the forecast. But amazingly after five minutes or so of dithering the weather settled down again and stayed dry all night. Four of us set off late afternoon, and two more arrived after work.
Special mention for Tony who led Sunspot (E1 ***). Described by Rockfax as "bold and alluring" he obviously identified with the route straight away (though probably read it as bald). Even more Brownie-points for throwing the rope back down and patiently belaying two extra seconds up it. He followed it up with Long Black Veil (VS 4c) which is possibly harder - you can't always trust the guidebook grades.
Ken and Anne couldn't find any routes described as "thin and groovy", but managed six routes at VS or above, wrestled an abandoned Friend from a crack, and still found time for peanut butter sandwiches, so it wasn't a bad evening!

Tony is ready for anything

Ken on Cannabis

Feizor from Potscar crag

Anne and jenny simultaneously seconding Sunspot

Tony on The Long Black Veil

Dave shows he still has what it takes, even though he's seventy!!

Thursday 18th June: Witches' Quarry

Blog provided by Jenny, as Blogger Daykin was away in Scotland. The June meet traditionally meets up with a CMC walking group in the Assheton Arms at Downham afterwards, but Jenny fails to tell me if the climbers made 'last orders'!

Five climbers were at Witches' Quarry, in surprisingly cold weather for June. Mike started the evening off with Witch Bane HVS 5a, before moving down to Witchcraft Buttress with John. Bern invented his own hybrid of Thrutch and The Spell, then moved on to Spellbound HVS 5a. Jenny led her first on purpose VS, Thrutch - was very pleased with it and grateful for Bern's big cam for the top. The evening finished with some bouldering problems, eventually needing torchlight to find the footholds as we ran out of daylight!

Bern and Tony doing a Selfie!

Jenny leading Witches' Brew (HS 4b)

Bern leading Spellbound HVS 5b