With rain threatening to spoil the party at Eric and Ann’s, the HMC chose instead to head south for a weekend in the Peak District.
Ben and Chris, Friday’s advance party, fancied some limestone and picked out the multipitch Medusa (VS4b *) at Ravensdale for attention. Ben topped out in the rain and both he and Chris remarked on the special ambience of this route.
Stephen and Rhiannon (now in possession of the club hut and with the lock on Martin’s shed remaining intact, but only just) arrived in time for supper with Ben, Chris and Natalie in Hathersage. They can report that a Pavlova the size of a turban is available at The Scotsman’s Pack.
Saturday dawned showery but bright, and Stanage was the clear choice. Steve and Rhi decided they would climb nothing less than *** routes on Saturday and to this end Steve saw off Hollybush Crack, Flying Buttress, April Crack and the terrific Robin Hood’s Right-hand Buttress Direct (HS 4a ***) while Rhi had festive fun leading Christmas Crack (HS 4b ***) before pushing the boat out on the Stanage classic Inverted V (VS 4b ***) avoiding (because she couldn’t reach it) the “fixed” gear. What polish?
Martin and Becky arrived and had soon seen off the very same routes as outlined above in double time.
Ben and Chris had a fine time also, Ben particularly enjoying the traverse on The Little Flake Crack (VS 5a *) and Chris nominating the slither of Martello Buttress as his firm favourite of the day.
On Sunday the HMC welcomed Victoria into the fold, and by the end of play she had led her first ever two routes, including the delightful Martello Cracks (M**) – a very calm and stylish first lead. Rhi led the steep but juggy *** Heaven Crack again and Steve excelled on the (sandbag?) Byne’s Route (HS 4b **), the girls following with “some” style before going off to work on their bridging technique on Turf Crack.
One last hurrah by Martin on Verandah Wall (VS 4c, and on which he built a lovely nest) and all was done.
In summary, a weekend of great climbing based at the beautifully tranquil campsite that is North Lees – special thanks to the DJ at the function down the hill who had the audacity to play 5 more tracks after Sinatra had sung “New York, New York” . . .
Words: Rhi
Photos: None, we were too busy climbing!
Harrogate Mountaineering Club 