Thursday 27 July 2017

Home turf...

Maybe home turf is a misnomer... but I still feel an affinity and great fondness for Derbyshire and the gritstone where I lived my formative years and learnt how to climb a while back (!).

scrunched on High Neb Buttress variant!
Titanic Direct
I met up with Steve and Kev in the Peak District and I had lots of fun mt biking and climbing on the gritstone. We had a fun day finding esoteric climbs at Stanage such as Titanic direct (HVS), Counts Crack (VS), Counts Buttress (desperate), now given E2 5C!!  I (cough) even seemed to make heavy work of High Neb Buttress Variation... but shouldn't admit this - I blame the humid weather and damp rock (second cough!)....

Heather!


Kev the 'cat', about to pounch...
I also really enjoyed reconnecting with some of the fantastic bouldering at Cratcliffe/Robin Hoods Stride, thanks Kev for your patience with the film work.... who knows if it will ever see the light of day.. but it was fun and great to see you both. Scotland rocks... but I miss the grit too...

Steve on Counts Crack

Saturday 8 July 2017

A trip to the far North...

Just back from a fun 2 day trip to the far North of Scotland. Highlights were climbing Ben Hope, the most Northerly munro, van camping (and getting midged), seeing some amazing scenery on the North Coast of Scotland, a Cullen Skink stop when it rained and great drive down alongside Loch Shin. So much more to explore....

Deer in wheat field spotted before leaving home

Aye!

Just starting the slog up Ben Hope

Gaining height (before the cloud)

Looking back at Ben Hope - arrows helpfully show the way!
Moine House old croft


With interesting graffiti ! 

Another stunning road/view area

Ben Loyal :-)