About a year ago I was asked what my favourite climbing experience was. It wasn't a particular route or sequence of moves, it wasn't a fall either despite a few memorable ones! It wasn't one particular section or wall, it was the entire crag, the whole three miles of this particular one.
It was Stanage. But not just Stanage on any old day, it was Stanage on a mid-week evening, with the sun waning and the routes to yourself despite the Popular-end car park being full!
So it was that I found myself at Stanage with Mike and Matt on Tuesday night polishing off yet more classics including Manchester Buttress and Eliminator, a short but steep, strenuous journey that doesn't relent until the top! I've spent a lot of time on Stanage recently and I'm still not tired of it; there's too much to do! I guess that this is a result of the lack of climbing I experienced in New Zealand; I've climbing more routes outdoors in the last six weeks in the UK than I achieved in 20 months in New Zealand.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Milltone and Cheddar Cheese
Been back in the UK for three weeks now. The first two were dry but cold despite it being May. However, this week has been stunning, sunny and warm everyday; but too warm for climbing which is exactly what Dom I did today. Millstone was the preferred venue; long, sustained gritstone routes.
After a late start, we weaved our way through Ashton, Stalybridge and Glossop before snaking along the A57 towards Bamford, Hathersage and Millstone. On route, Dom casually mentioned a 12th century pub he thought would be good to visit on the way home, the Cheddar Cheese in Hope.
Millstone, unfortunately, was a disappointment as we both struggled to climb in the heat of the day and 'sweat' of the rock. But there will be other days to climb.........
First up was pitch 1 of Embankment 3 (E1 5b) followed by pitch 2 of Embankment 1 (E1 5b). Then then laboured up Great North Road (HVS 5a) making an absolute meal of it.
The cheddar cheese by contrast was great, sat in a beer garden with a pint of bitter and cider talking the world away. Although it didn't look like a 12th century pub from the outside, but worth the detour ..........
After a late start, we weaved our way through Ashton, Stalybridge and Glossop before snaking along the A57 towards Bamford, Hathersage and Millstone. On route, Dom casually mentioned a 12th century pub he thought would be good to visit on the way home, the Cheddar Cheese in Hope.
Millstone, unfortunately, was a disappointment as we both struggled to climb in the heat of the day and 'sweat' of the rock. But there will be other days to climb.........
First up was pitch 1 of Embankment 3 (E1 5b) followed by pitch 2 of Embankment 1 (E1 5b). Then then laboured up Great North Road (HVS 5a) making an absolute meal of it.
The cheddar cheese by contrast was great, sat in a beer garden with a pint of bitter and cider talking the world away. Although it didn't look like a 12th century pub from the outside, but worth the detour ..........
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