A New Crag!

We´ve recently spent a few afternoons on a newly developed crag close to Xativa. For those who know the area, it´s on the opposite side of the valley to Aventador. It was found by pure chance by a friend who considered the area worthy of exploration and potential for new routes...when he arrived there he found to his astonishment that the local climbing club had just finished putting up the final routes!

There are a total of 65 new routes, ranging from 4+ to 7a. Despite being a "new crag" the rock is in good condition with only a few loose holds. With time it will improve further as the holds clean up.

Last Sunday, 5 of us spent the day there - Carolina, Luis, Nick, Bill and myself. The weather was beautiful with clear blue skies and absolutely no wind. By mid afternoon we were climbing in T-shirts although as soon as the sun began to dip behind the mountains we were quick to search out the duvet jackets...living this far south makes you soft!

The development of this new crag makes the town of Xativa an ideal climbing base adding to the already developed Bellus, Aventador, Xativa South Face and Montessa.

Best wishes to all for a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Safe 2012.

Buttermere 19/11/11

On the weekend of 19/20 November, Clive, Colin, Bev, Chris and Nick were staying at Birkness the FRCC hut in Buttermere carrying out general maintenance duties.
The weather was fine with the occassional sunny spells.

With limited recreational time on the Saturday, Clive, Chris and me decided to have a short walk down Honister Pass to see where the previous weekend we had gone wrong on our mountain biking circuit. Yes we did find the track off to the left, yes it did have a sign! Nothing more to be said on that matter other than we were told that a lot of people miss the turn off!

On the Sunday Clive, Colin and Bev had a pleasent walk around Buttermere Lake.
While Chris and myself made a trip to Shepherds to climb Little Chamonix.

The weather was perfect, a party was already on the route but well in front.

Chris lead off with the lower section a little damp and greasy but not causing any problems, after this the rock was perfectly dry.

I had the plumb top pitch bathed in sunshine-What a great gem this is.

To finish a great weekend we all had a trip to the Flock-in Tearoom complete with lamb stew and pasties Yum!