My climbing trips this Spring have had cold winds, some bright sun and (thankfully) no rain. This has given me the chance to really get back into climbing on rock and to do some great climbs. It feels like I’ve warmed up for the rest of my climbing year.
My first trad lead of 2016 on Recess Crack (VDiff) at Bamford Edge.
Climbing the absolutely brilliant Gargoyle Flake (VS, 4c) at Bamford Edge.
Climbing the boulder problem Big Slab Right (V0+, 5a) on a wonderfully sunny day at Higgar Tor.
Hound Tor and Haytor
The Dewerstone
Me on the top of the pinnacle on Pinnacle Buttress at Dewerstone (thanks to Peter for the photo).
A busy Spring day at Stanage Popular end.
The BMC Guidebook describes this climb (Mantlepiece RIght, HVD) as a “bit steep and scary.” The scary bit probably comes from how hard it is to get a second piece of gear in, but I finally managed it.
Climbing the fun Monkey Crack (VDiff) at Stanage.
Climbing Monkey Crack (VDiff) at Stanage.
Climbing Monkey Crack (VDiff) at Stanage.
the Severe climber 
2 things I can’t do there… gritstone and overhangs! I’m useless aren’t I? 😉
Carol.
I wouldn’t say that. Gritstone is a wonderful rock to climb, but it does take a little getting used to. Overhangs can be challenge. Thankfully, the overhang on Gargoyle Flake has some really nice, positive handholds.
Best wishes,
Robin
I don’t get on with the roundedness of gritstone – I like my nice limestone square-cut jug-handle handholds!
I can relate to that, but I do like the friction in gritstone and it can make up for the rounded holds sometimes.
I think I just don’t know the right techniques to just use friction for my handholds – I can manage for one but not another hold after that!
I think it’s partly about knowing the techniques and partly a head game about feeling confident in smearing and using friction for the hands.
Good start to the season. Keep it up.
We seem to have had a lot of rain and its been cold and windy. And I’m away to much. Excuses.Excuses.
Thankfully I have Craig y Longridge within 5 mins of home – so keeping fit.
Thanks. I got lucky with the weather (which is a nice change, as I’m normally unlucky with the weather).
It’s great that you’ve got somewhere so close by to climb. One of the big disadvantages of being a London-based climber is how far you have to travel to climb on real rock.
I hope the rest of your climbing season is drier and you manage to get the climbing in.
Best wishes,
Robin