Recent Events.

Just a brief note to summarise recent events. We´ve enjoyed a few evenings climbing on Gandia Crag which never seems to get any easier!...just that kind of place! Mountain biking is becoming more comfortable now that temperatures are dropping to somewhere near sensible, so recent trips have included a newly designed 70km route from home, over the mountains then up a beautiful narrow valley to the old town of Xativa.

Most of my time has however been spent on preparing the new business which hopefully should be fully up and running by November. The name of the business will be Nature Trail Spain. The key services will be Guided Bird Watching Trips, Guided Mountain Bike Trips and Beginners Skills Courses. I´ll be able to offer such as one-off day trips or part of a package deal that includes accommodation here in Spain.

My websites are :

www.valenciabirding.com

www.mountainbikingvalencia.com

Please feel free to pass on my details to as many people as possible...I need to start spreading the word!

Will write with more soon.

The following was submitted by Jago.

My friend Henrik visited the Peak for four days last weekend with his friends Ygge, Daniel and Peder. I’d warned them beforehand to bring their midge repellent and waterproofs and this proved good advice.

Peder, Henrik, Ygge & Daniel at Stanage

On Thursday they enjoyed a sunny evening climbing on Bamford until a hungry black cloud of midges descended and drove these particular Vikings back to their B&B in Hope. When I joined them the next morning the weather forecast predicted a blustery and wet day. However the weather proved to be better than expected and so we all enjoyed a day climbing at Millstone Edge. The Swedes bagged many of the usual classic VS routes.

Henrik & Ygge on Embankment Route 2

On Saturday morning the weather again looked doubtful. The Swedes opted for the British tradition of sitting in Outside’s cafe drinking tea until Della and I joined them just before midday. Naturally many in the party were keen to visit Stanage, but unfortunately as we walked up to the Popular End it began to rain. I then redirected them to Burbage South in the hope of better conditions.
At Burbage the weather remained showery but the rock was never really adversely affected and so the Swedes were able to enjoy ascents of Mutiny Crack, Pulcherrime, Knight’s Move, and at least more VS. My daughter Della (3yrs.) summed up Henrik’s heroic efforts on Mutiny Crack whilst observing from the comfort of a nearby boulder: “That’s silly - it’s just like going upstairs!”

On Sunday the boys enjoyed successful day on Froggatt Edge, including Henrik leading Chequers Buttress. On Monday I joined them at Stanage where they all ascended Christmas Crack, Via Media, Central Trinity, Hargreaves’ Original Route, and Inverted V before it finally started to rain.



Peder Leading Central Trinity 




Henrik & Daniel on Christmas Crack

At this point I left, however the conditions improved again later and further ascents were made at Lawrencefield.