My friend Bob's in town for a couple of days, and keen for a climbing session at Windgather. So this afternoon saw us at the crag after dropping Dani off at Pym's Chair on the way so she could run up to Shining Tor and back before rejoining us at the crag.
Bob warmed up with a spot of soloing up High Buttress Arete;
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| Bob soloing High Buttress Arete. |
Then out with rope and on with harnesses. I'm very out of practice (I haven't climbed for 2 years!) so Bob did all the leading today, starting with Wall Climb (HVD). Bob then lead Director (VS4b), a bit beyond my current level. Luckily
the next route on the left (Nose Direct HVD) is easier and finishes at
the same place so thats the route I took.
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| Nose Direct, Bob at the top belaying. I'm in the red top. |
Our next route was Traditional (HS4a), a nice route with a hard start,
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| On Traditional. |
Dani, who'd been keeping herself amused soloing after her run, had a crack at this route as well;
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| Dani working out the first few moves on Traditional. |
Bob found a friend (the ever reliable Derek) to second him up Portfolio, a route that's beyond my capabilities. I finished off by soloing The Corner (Mod., on High Buttress) before we called it a night.
It was good to touch rock again, even though I'm more than a little rusty.
Paul.
Nice to see this, my Dad came from Kettleshulme and as a child we were always up there scrambling about. The rock is lovely and grippy, unlike the Etive slabs where I climbed last (a good many years ago!)
ReplyDeleteWindgather is only a short drive from my house and ideal for an evening climb. When Bob lived across the road from me before moving to N. Wales we would often disappear off for an hour or two, him being happy to second me whilst I led the easier routes, then I'd second for him whilst he led some of the harder climbs. I occassionally struggled to follow his lead resulting in him abseiling down to remove his gear!
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