Sunday 10th January: Awesome Walls Stockport

Unsurprisingly for the time of year, the weather dictated that the climbing meet should be indoors. Ian and Alison had settled on Kendal Wall because some of the group hadn't been before. However, the plan was thwarted by Desmond, or Eva (or was it Frank?) Severe traffic problems, broken bridges, and worse weather on the way, one of those winter storms nearly got the better of us...

But undaunted the team of six headed south, to the Awesome Wall in Stockport, where they pushed to their limits and had an excellent time. 

No climbing pictures...but here's a reminder of conditions in January

Sunday 20th December; Manchester Climbing Centre

Every-one getting busy!

The last CMC Meet before Christmas, and eight of us turned out, keen to get some climbing done. Once again we settled for an indoor wall, though the morning was mild and pleasant and it was tempting to risk going outdoors.

Some of us hadn't been to Manchester Climbing Centre before, so the first task was to pass the entry-test. Fortunately we could all tie our knots correctly and spot the deliberate mistakes! 

Manchester Wall isn't as high as some, but there were enough routes to keep us busy for the day. Plenty to challenge us, but some soft-touch grading so we could go home pleased with our achievements!

The setting in an old church is obvious

Tony in Action

Ian and Peter  - Christmas Cheer!

Keswick Weekend 4th - 6th December

The CMC holds an annual Christmas Jamboree in Keswick: group accommodation and a communal Christmas meal of much higher standard and lower cost than your average restaurant Christmas dinner.

Some of the cooks in action

 This year we managed to pick the weekend when Keswick experienced its worst floods on record! With rain of biblical volume, most people went for walks of the gasp-in-awe variety.

Keswick (Fitz Park)

 However, a team of three went to the climbing wall in Penrith. Not being present, I didn't like to ask whether it was climbing obsession that sent them there, or a reluctance to get wet! However, they were clearly reluctant to risk missing dinner, and set off on the exciting journey back to Keswick mid-afternoon while the road was still passable.  

Sunday 8th November: Kendal Wall

With the optimism of youth, coordinator Mike proposed a trip to the Roaches, where “the grit is of a finer and friendlier texture than that of Stanage, and has a reddish hue which glows like amber in the sunset.”

However the Met Office steadfastly refused to help us and insisted on forecasting high winds and torrential rain. With the realism of experience we settled for Kendal Wall.

Only four of us turned up, but needless to say we all put in a good session and left at closing time suitably worn out – and the forecast was correct: it would have required enthusiasm bordering on the foolhardy to have climbed outdoors.

…Nevertheless, the youthful optimists among us have fingers crossed for a cold dry sunny spell for December’s meet…

Sunday 4th October: Shepherd's Crag, Borrowdale

Ken enjoys the autumn sunshine on Shepherd's Crag

Anne volunteered to coordinate the Sunday climbing for October, but this proved a little tricky, because it had been great weather all week in the Lakes and Anne and Ken spent it in Borrowdale with no mobile phone signal and no wi-fi.
Hence we were drinking coffee outside the Lodore Farm cafe beneath Shepherd's Crag on Sunday morning wondering who would be coming to join us. Answer: no-one! A shame, because it was a perfect Autumn day and the crag was end-of-season quiet.

Anne, Ardus pitch 1

No queuing for routes so we had an indulgent day collecting classics - Ardus, Adam, and Eve - before Ken ran out of steam on the 5b crux of North Buttress, and we ended the day abseiling for his runners as the light began to fade.

Ken completes the classic traverse on Ardus pitch 2...

...and Anne follows.

Thursday 24th September: Roefield Wall

It's been a good Autumn. This is the first Thursday evening for goodness-knows-how-long that we've been rained off the crag. Six of us spent a pleasant evening at our bijoux local wall, Roefield. For the non-literati, that means "Little Gem" - it's a great place for a session every once in a while, and can be followed by a pint of the best beer in Clitheroe!

Wednesday 16th September: Witches Quarry

Tony leads Hellhounds on My Trail

With the nights drawing in we needed somewhere close to home so we could maximise climbing time. Hence, Witches Quarry. Tony, Anne and Ken were able to get away early and get a couple of routes done before the rest arrived.

Anne follows whilst practicing her breathing exercises!

Hellhounds on My trail proved tough at VS. Familiar's Fall next and we all learnt that it's not that bad if you do it the right way.

Tony placing the crucial gear on Familiar's Fall

Soon Peter and Linda arrived and joined in with the fun.

Peter follows Familiar's Fall

Linda enjoys Crucible

The Crucible next and later Ken fell off Black Mass but reached the top by adopting some 'french free' tactics.

It was a lovely evening and we benefitted from Witches being NW facing, so it catches the evening sun.

Linda leads Cracklap

The views from the top of the crag are always superb

Ribble valley