Stanage 16-18th May 2008
Stanage Meet, 16-18th May 2008
Despite the depressing weather forecast, a large group of Mountain Club members made the trip over the county border into Derbyshire for the Stanage meet. We stayed at the North Lees campsite, which is a lovely quiet campsite within easy walking of Stanage Edge (excellent climbing) and Hathersage (excellent pubs).
The rain began on Friday evening, so most people made the trek down to Hathersage to drown their sorrows in the Little John, with other more hardy souls sticking it out on the campsite. Saturday morning meant more rain, and it was clear that climbing was not going to be possible that day so instead various groups went off walking, mountain biking or gear shopping. By the afternoon the rain had eased but the rock was still damp, although most of us ended up at the crag just to check out the climbs for the following day. With the forecast fine for the Sunday, everyone was chomping at the bit to get some climbing done, with one individual even turning down all offers of alcohol in the Scotsman’s Pack that night in order to be in top form for the following day (there’s dedication for you…)!
Sunday dawned bright and clear as promised, so everyone headed up to the crag and we were joined by a few more club members who had come over just for the day. For those of you who haven’t been to Stanage, it’s the mecca of climbing – over four kilometres of perfect gritstone climbing across all the grades, with a real variety of styles of route. We went to the Plantation section of the crag, with most people climbing in the Goliath’s Groove area. Everyone was really up for climbing and the routes were ticked off in quick succession. The weather finally broke with a quick shower late in the afternoon, but by that time everyone was pretty much worn out after a full day’s climbing.
Meet Attendees: Jane, Jeremy, Ben, Wendy, Chris, Emma, Ruth, Kirsty, Emma, Chesh, Dave S, Paul,
Phil E, Lindsey, Matt, Lucy, Jane, Martin, Phil B, Christine, Thomas
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Jeremy leading Hollybush Gully Right, Direct Start, S 4b |
Wendy and Chunk |
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Chris leading The Coign, HS 4b |
Martin seconding Hollybush Gully Right |
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Chesh seconding The Coign |
Ben leading Slanting Chimney, S 4a |
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Ben finishing Slanting Chimney – described as ‘awkward’… |
Ben, Chris and Chesh |
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Martin leading Wall End Crack Direct, HS 4b
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Dr Hollands in action… |
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Martin leading Shaky Gully, S 4a |
Christine and Thomas, with Chunk eyeing up lunch |
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Chris leading Lookout Flake, HS 4b |
Jeremy in Shaky Gully |
