06-05-11, Snowdonia and Peak District - Rock Climbing

I got back from the Alps at the start of May. There appears to have been a draught in North Wales - so better get out onto those north facing usually damp mountain crags! I have done some work for Plas y Brenin on a NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) Silver Award and Gorge Scrambling for Snowdonia Outdoor Adventure. Last week was warm but also breezy and the crags very dry. I have been climbing in the Llanberis Pass, Moelwyns and on Llech Ddu (The Groove - photos below). Thursday and Friday I have been in the Peak District climbing on the limestone in Dove Dale. Unfortunately the weather has changed and we have had blustery rain and general wetness over the weekend. No doubt there will be somewhere dry to climb near the coast next week!

05-11-10, Peak District - Rock Climbing

The last week has been very wet both in Snowdonia and the Peak District. I managed to get a bit of sport climbing in at Penmaen Head (Colwyn Bay) before the rains arrived at the weekend. Myself and Kath went to the Peak for a few days, to find dark overcast skies, with occasional drizzle in the mornings then heavy constant rain in the afternoons. We did however manage to climb at Black Rocks and Cratcliffe Tor (photo right - Kath seconding 'Suicide Wall', HVS 5a).

14-05-10, Peak District - Rock Climbing

Barni leading Suspense, E2 5c at Lawrencefield - Peak District

I have spent the last couple of days in the Peak District again. Myself and Barni went to the far left hand side of Stanage and climbed 6 routes between Wall End Slab and High Neb. Wednesday was a cold day with some more snow showers between the sunshine - ideal conditions for Gritstone.

Thursday we headed to the limestone crag High Tor which looms high above Matlock Bath, I climbed Original Route which is a classic HVS. A little bit nippy on the fingers so we decided to head further north back to the Gritstone edges, and went to Millstone and Lawrencefield. Photos show Barni leading the sustained, once pegged crack line of Regent Street E2 5c at Millstone (Right and Below) and the classic freighter test piece Suspense E2 5c at Lawrencefield. We stayed until it got dark then headed back to North Wales.

The Peak District has some great cragging with its unique Gritstone (natural and quarried, fine and coarse grained) and Limestone (single, multi-pitch, sport) rock climbing. PJ Mountains can offer numerous rock climbing courses in the Peak District. Everything from guided climbs to learning to lead, courses can be tailored to suit your needs.

11-05-10, Peak Gritstone - Rock Climbing

Gaz seconding Eros E1 5b, Millstone

I have spent the last couple of days rock climbing on the Gritsone edges of the Peak District with Gaz, Matt and Rich. We visited Millstone yesterday morning and managed to squeeze in a couple of routes before it rained. In the afternoon we went to Stanage Popular, which had dried off nicely in the breeze, conditions were good, not too warm or cold, despite occasional light showers we got a lot done. Today we headed to Curbar and experienced some of the strangest weather (even by British standards) ever. Morning was bright and warm, midday, heavy snow flakes fell for 10 minutes then back to very warm and bright sun - bizarre! All in all a good couple of days and my hands are feeling the grit rash!

Photos below, Left Gaz getting stuck into The Peapod HVS 5a, Curbar and Right Matt leading Avalanche Wall HVS, 5a also at Curbar.