Brimham Rocks Tuesday 4th June 2013
As the days draw closer to the summer solstice, and Yorkshire’s gritstone
offers up lines about as bone dry as you’ll find them, an evening at Brimham
was bound to be packed full of promise.
Ed, Dave and John and Pete saw action at Cracked Buttress, John climbing
Parallel Cracks (VS 4c) in crackin’ good style, almost jam-free, whilst
Ed made a strong lead of the Right Hand Crack (VS 4c) helped by
uncharacteristically strong language. Dave did Central Crack (VS 5a) with
Pete ably seconding, and providing industrial-sized cams for the off-width,
then finished off Parallel Cracks, though not jam-free
Cubic Block proved, as ever, to be an excellent area for warming up,
bouldering and the odd lead, while future routes such as Red Tape (E2 5b**)
and Black Chipper (E2 5b***) were sniffed out by Conor, Rob and others.
Popular ‘three star’ classics such as Birch Tree Wall (VS 4c – Ben & Rhi),
Frensis Direct (E1 5b – Martin & Steve) and Rough Wall (VS 5a – Mark & Jim)
were dispatched without fuss, alongside the likes of Thin Line (HVS 5a*) and
Maloja (Ben & Rhi VS4c**).
While Martin got spanked on Stone Wall (E1 5b**) and Steve got shredded on
yet another gritstone fist-jamming crack, the likes of Ed, Dave, and John
quietly reaquainted themselves with routes from their past…without
shedding either blood, sweat or tears.
With the award for first at the crag being won by
Conor and Pete, and last
team to the pub falling to Rob and Jim, Brimham once again proved itself to
be a firm Tuesday night favourite for HMC.
Words: Steve & Dave
Picture: James
Harrogate Mountaineering Club 