Thurgoland Boundary Walk

After the Penistone Boundary walk me and Jen decided to try the Thurgoland Boundary Walk. We were joined by Colin and Bev who were still training for their Kilimanjaro trip.
The walk started at the Bridge Inn at the bottom of Thurgoland and after a mile or so of road followed the bank of the river Don to the Romticle Viaduct then through fields, one containing a large bull, to Cheesebottom Farm. More riverside and woods led to Oxspring and up the road to the top of Coates Lane.
From there Blacker Green Lane took us to the Dove Valley Trail and Silkstone Common where we visited the Huskar pit disaster memorial.

Coiln and Bev at the Huskar memorial.

The walk continued over fields and through woods to Partridge Dale and Eastfield to the Monkey where we enjoyed a drink and a chat to the eccentric but friendly landlord Anthony while it poured outside.

More footpaths across fields led to Crane Moor then over the hill and back down to the Bridge Inn.

Leaving the Monkey.....

...and heading to Crane Moor.

The walk goes through some varied scenery, much of it delightful, with river, woods and open fields but is quite arduous with plenty of ups and downs. There are three pubs on the route so plenty of opportunity for refreshments.

Evening Meet - High Neb

Me and Jago were the first arrivals followed shortly(?) by Mick. I led Tango Buttress (HS 5a) and Jago and Mick followed, Mick avoiding the crux start by judicious use of the adjacent crack. Meanwhile Paul arrived and followed me on High Neb Buttress (VS 4c) while Jago led Mick up Inaccessible Crack (VS 4c).

Jago leading Inaccessible Crack

Christine then arrived just in time to second High Neb Buttress.

Christine on High Neb Buttress

We then moved on to Inacessible Crack which I led while Jago and Mick climbed twisting crack.
I then led Norse Corner Climb which Christine followed. Jago and Mick were still on High Neb Buttress when we left as dusk fell. 
Despite a cold wind and a lack of form we all enjoyed an evenings climbing on some good quality routes.

Curbar Evening Meet

Once again the crag was almost deserted with one team leaving as me, Christine and Mick arrived. A stiff breeze ensured a midge free evening and we started off with Bel ami (VS 4b) as a warm up.

Christine following on Bel Ami.

This proved to be a bit stiffer than we all remembered but succumbed to a determined approach.

No evening meet on Curbar would be the same without doing PMC1 (HS 4a) a classic at the grade.

Clive leading PMC1....

....and Mick following.

By this time the stiff breeze had turned into a strong wind which was too cold for comfort at the top of the crag so we finished off with a quick ascent of Owl's Arete ( HS 4c).

Penistone Boundary Walk

I joined Colin and Bev and other participents of their Kilimanjaro trip on a training walk round the Penistone boundary.
We all met up at Cubley Hall, the start and finish of the 16 mile walk. Cubley Hall is situated on the outskirts of the town so straight away we were into the countryside. Apart from a short stretch of urban road walking through Springvale the rest of the walk is on minor roads, country lanes and footpaths.

 Leaving town......

....into the countryside.

Being around Penistone the walk has plenty of ups and downs but is never too arduous. It skirts round between Silkstone and Thurgoland to Gunthwaite dam, back up to Scout Dyke then over to the viewpoint at Royd Moor, then through Bullhouse and up to Hartcliff Hill before dropping back down to Cubley Hall.

  Route finding difficulties at Gadding Moor

The walk goes through a varied landscape from woodlands and arable fields to moorland edge pastures and finishes at a pub which sells real ale. What more can you ask from a walk?

Froggat Evening Meet

 Froggat Edge was unusually free from climbers when Me, Jago and Christine arrived.
Jago took the first lead on Sickle Buttress Direct (VS 4c) which went easily up a steep wall to a thin finishing move.

Sickle Buttres Direct

Clive then led Trapeze Direct (VS 5a) which is a well protected one move wonder but the move proved to be quite difficult for an aging body.

 The crux of Trapeze Direct

With dusk approaching we decided on a quick ascent of Diamond Crack (HS 4b) to close out the evening. 

. 

Clive leading Diamond Crack

 This route gave well protected but steep climb up jamming cracks and finished off an enjoyable evening climbing routes that I had neglected for quite a few years.  

FRCC Meet- Brackenclose

Nick, Christine and me attended the FRCC meet at Brackenclose, the club hut in Wasdale. Saturday arrived with low cloud covering the high fells so we opted to climb at Wallowbarrow a low lying crag in Duddondale.
After inspecting the new bunkhouse at Wallowbarrow Farm courtesy of the occupants we decided to start on Western Wall (VS 4b). This gave good steep climbing after a delicate traverse all at a reasonable grade.

Western Wall start

 

At the top of the climb threatening clouds were rolling up the valley and by the time we were established on the next climb it was persisting it down. We abandoned thoughts of climbing and had a short but pleasant walk round over to Grassguards and back down the river in the rain.

On Sunday the weather was still uninspiring so we headed for Leighton Moss where we were treated to close up views of an Osprey fishing and Marsh Harriers hunting.

Roaches

On the World Cup Final day I went to the Roaches with Christine to make some use of her new guidebook.
The crag was strangely quiet for a Sunday with just a few parties scattered about the crag. We headed for the left hand end of the upper crag, an area we had neglected somewhat for a few years.
We started out with an old favourite for a warm up, Fern Crack a HVD with a 4b start. Christine then led Damascus Crack S 4a which gave some good climbing but we avoided the sandbag VS 4b finish.
We then moved on to Contrary Mary VS 4b which had a stiff overhanging start and a steep bold finish after scrambling through the heather.

Clive on the bold finish to Contrary Mary

We then went on to climb Runner Route S 4a which gave good climbing up a slab to a so-so finishing crack.

Runner Route

With a half ganley under our belts we decided we had just enough time to get back for the World Cup Final. 

Andy Saxby and I had originally planned to spend the weekend of July 10/11th climbing in Scotland, but a dreadful weather forecast persuaded us to change our plans at the last minute. As a result we drove to Ynys Ettws on Friday night and awoke on Saturday to extremely heavy rain and swollen rivers. The prospects of rock climbing that day seemed remote, but we first called into Eric’s café for morning coffee before driving over to Anglesey with a sense of growing resignation. Nevertheless, Castell Helen turned out to be windy but dry, so we followed our next cuppa with an ascent of Lighthouse Arete (VS 4c***), before retreating back to the hut as the weather threatened further rain.

On Sunday we returned to Gogarth hoping that the tides would allow us early access to Scavenger (HVS 5a***) on the Main Cliff area, but our access would be blocked until 5pm so we settled for ‘warming up’ on Central Line (HVS 4c, 5a**) as it remained an ambition of Andy’s. I led the first damp agricultural pitch before Andy made a valiant attempt at the second. Alas, he was defeated by upper crux section, so after the inevitable messing around with ropes I eventually led through to the top. We agreed that we were definitely warmed up, but that it was now far too late to attempt Scavenger!

Millstone Evening Meet

Mick was waiting in the car park when I arrived and we decided to warm up on Covent Garden. Mick led off on the first pitch and shortly later Nidal and family arrived along with a few spots of rain. Nidal and son Matthew joined the rope and we were soon all established on the ledge along with a festoon of ropes. I led the second pitch which gave easy climbing with suspect rock and protection and brought the rest of the team up.
Nidal then decided to lead Lambeth Chimney just as Paul arrived. Mick seconded Nidal so I opted to lead the Mall. Unfortunately I had forgot how awkward it was and how unfit I was resulting in a bit of struggle and arms like jelly at the top. Paul followed without trouble and Mick came up, tied on and brought up Nidal and Matthew.

Clive leading The mall.....

   .....and Nidal following.

Christine arrived and we decamped to the Great Slab area where Paul led Lorica followed by me and Christine and Nidal led the Great Slab. 

Derwent Edge

Jen and me decided to have a walk up to Back Tor via Derwent Edge. We started from the intriguingly named Cutthroat Bridge and headed up towards the Wheel Stones (also known as the Coach and Horses). The strong breeze kept us cool and on reaching Whinstone Lee Tor we had wonderful views into the Derwent valley. We continued past the Wheel Stones to the trig point at Back Tor with extensive views over towards Kinder and Bleaklow all the way.

Jen approaching the Wheel stones.

Looking back towards the wheel Stones.

On the return trip we diverted towards Moscar house and doubled back to Cutthroat Bridge, followed closely part of the way by an over-friendly horse. This gave a slightly longer walk but with gentler gradients.