Sunday walk 1st July 2018 – report.

A party of six left Cutthroat Bridge car park, closely followed by a small group of climbers heading for Dovestone Tor, on this lovely summer morning. It was good to see Frank stretching his legs, determined to go as far as current fitness would allow. The Club would be well represented on Derwent Edge today.
A cool breeze welcomed us as we arrived below Whinstone Lee Tor and we made good progress along the dry path, with extensive views in all directions, and Golden Plovers for company. Arriving at Back Tor we took a break, some finding the energy to scramble to the trig. point. Here we left Frank to retrace his steps, whilst the rest of the group descended over Lost Lad and down to a small plantation which provided some pleasant shade and a good place for lunch. We then made our way down to Wellhead for the short walk along the reservoir track before taking the path up to Grindle Barn. We paused here for a few minutes before continuing our climb back onto the Edge, thankful to return to the cooling breeze.
There now only remained for us to follow our route down the Edge and then the path to Cutthroat Bridge. And oh yes, we found Frank sitting on a boulder eating an apple, so the party was complete again!
Thanks to all who came along for this rather warm 10.5 mile walk.

Sean.

Tick Fest – Sat 30th June 2018 – report

Meet report.
A mixed day of enormous effort and some chilled relaxation on a very hot day.

The prize for effort goes to Linda and David who climbed 10 climbs, the initial letter of the climbs spelling out Tickety Boo. They also wore bikini bottoms on their heads. Strangely Julian was not too embarrassed to climb with them. They were joined by another super duo Kari and Dawn who cycled, swam and climbed (7 routes I think). This team surely won for their massive effort. They were joined by silent partner Charles.

A mixed team of cyclists, walkers, swimmers and a climber, Chris, Bill, Marianne, Marian and Sean probably got more on points, but the scoring system was so (deliberately) complicated it was impossible to tell.

Andrew and Ali brought along Lisa (fresh blood) and did good too, cycling and leading a breakaway swimming group to the lovely Barbrook Reservoir .

An evening BBQ where I failed at trying to engineer equal points for all, but John saved the day with his quick quiz where Charles showed his knowledge of Mountains. Then a quick round of stick the blood clot on the tick (Sean was best) before bed.

Big thanks to Kathy and John for tent and tea and all things practical , Mary for the bike ride plans and tick sheets, and Vanda and Paul for the loan of the gas bbq.

Thank you everyone for taking part and a great social, Chris I hope you haven’t suffered after your impromptu dip into Burbage brook

Big PS. Ali launched the Presidential Challenge. More later.

Family Meet report – Black Rock Sands, N. Wales 22-24 June 2018

18 of us turned up at Black Rock Sands at various times throughout Friday in superb weather, 17 years after the last family meet there.. Some of us even had our tent up and waiting!! After an evening around the fire and visits to the beach plans were made for Saturday, which dawned hot and sunny. The climbers split into two groups, heading for Cwm Silyn and Tremadog respectively. A walking group also assembled and ascended Moel-y-Gest via a café stop in Borth-y-Gest, a distance of 9 and a half miles over 6 hours, a fine effort on a scorching day.
Meanwhile the children and associated adults headed for the beach! Apart from swimming and being buried in the sand there was Frisbee throwing, jellyfish hunting, scrambling on the rocks and caves and discovering an underground river. All topped off by ice-cream.
Later in the day a bbq was planned and when the climbers eventually returned after a highly successful day, climbing many feet of rock, we congregated and cooked much wonderful food, topped off with a birthday cake for Ben. Included in the evening was what might loosely be called dancing from the children and certain adults who ‘Walked 500 miles’ ‘Kept their hats on’ etc. After a late evening more plans for Sunday, including a walk to Criccieth Castle, more climbing at Tremadog and Milestone Buttress in Ogwen. I can only report on the latter, which was successful with Jaycee-May being introduced to multi-pitch climbing on Rowan Route.
Thanks to all those who made the trip, there will be a few pictures on the Facebook site.
Cheers
Paul Gibson

Harpur Hill climbing Sunday 17 June 2018

A good turnout on a dull but warm day. Thomas cycled from Sheffield and Bill drove from just down the road. We were generally impressed by the quality of climbing on the Upper Tier crags where we spent most of the day. The routes were also longer than on some of the other sectors, with some climbs being thin wall climbs and others being steeper with big holds. We mainly sports climbed but Nathan led a trad. VS route on the lower tier. Unfortunately the mist rolled in at about 4pm wetting the rock, although some had managed half a dozen routed by that time.

Millstone on Tuesday was also well attended. We had to share the crag with the Buxton, Congelton and Peak clubs but there seemed plenty of routes to go round.. The weather was warm but windy so no midges were seen and routes from Severe to E1 were climbed. It was good to see Tim Miller who was there with the Congelton club.
David

Sunday Walk 3rd June 2018 – report.

A party of five left Edale station under blue skies and followed field paths to Nether Booth. A short stretch of road brought us to the old holloway path, now becoming overgrown, which led us to Clough Farm where we joined the track to Jaggers Clough. At this point the leader was under some pressure to make this the first stop of the day, but ignored the hints, and encouraged the party to make the gradual but very stony ascent to Hope Cross, where we found a wall to lean on in the sun, and watch numerous mountain bikers appear from the direction of Hope Brinks. The views up the Edale Valley and across to the Great Ridge were superb. Refreshed, we followed the grassy track which eventually led to the summit of Win Hill. The obligatory trig point photo on this occasion was not possible, as it was surrounded by a large group of walkers (posing for a photograph of course), so our photo was taken away from the summit, with a backdrop of the reservoirs and the Eastern Edges. Needless to say on a day such as this the views in every direction were stunning.
We descended to our lunch spot, under yet another wall, admiring the views down the Hope Valley, before continuing to Thornhill. We were soon at the garden centre, where, without hesitation, the party turned left into the café for a cuppa. Revived, we then attempted the most challenging part of the walk, crossing the busy main road, before following the riverside path back to Leadmill Bridge. On the way we were entertained by several flotillas of Mallard ducklings, one of which contained a rather unusual white (albino?) chick. Red Breasted Mergansers and Canada Geese were also keeping cool in the shade.
Thanks to Lin, Chris K, Andy and Rosy for their company on a very pleasant walk of 11.5 miles.
Sean.

The Great Ridge; 3 Jun 2018

Elevenses; 3 Jun 2018

Towards Win Hill; 3 Jun 2018

Top of Win Hill; 3 Jun 2018

Yorkshire Dales Meet 25-29/05/18

We climbed at Rylstone; Crookrise; Eastby and Rolling Gate; picking off the best routes at our grade. Blazing sun, cool breeze on the top. Some climbs rated the best in their grade on Yorkshire Grit. On such a fine bank holiday we only saw 4 other climbers at Crookrise, and 2 at Eastby. None at the other venues. We must be gritstone connoisseurs!
Geoff

Sunday Walk 20 May 2018 Langsett to Derwent

A beautiful day for a beautiful walk. An early start , meeting at 9.00 at Fairholmes and then the 6 walkers were ferried over to Langsett and we were duly on the path by 0945. (Dick set off for acycle). We skirted the North side of the reservoir and then climbed gradually on mostly flagged path., giving way at various points to hoards of mountain bikers. (I welcome an appropriate collective noun here).
A coffee stop to admire the view and then onward to the trig point of Margery Hill for lunch. We posed for photos and then continued along Howden Edge to High Stones where the descent began into the Derwent Valley.
A small dilemma ensued at a fork in the path near Abbey Clough. we chose the left branch as this was a new path for Andy and Rosy. However we soon realised why this route is the lesser travelled – very boggy! Listening to curlews nearly all the way down to thee trees, we noticed many newly planted birch trees. A further drink stop ensued in the brilliant sunshine.
After a final romp along the track at the side of the reservoir, we skirted under the dam to ice creams and the cars. Final distance 10.3 miles.
A fantastic day out and a huge thank you to JB and Dick for driving us to required destinations.
Ali

Cut Gate 20 May 2018

Cut Gate 20 May 2018

Cut Gate 20 May 2018

Margery Hill 20 May 2018

Away Meet Devon 4-7 May 2018

ight CMC members camped at Summer Hill farm near Ashburton. Dave Beynon, plus two other climbing friends from the South West also joined us. The weather was glorious for the entire weekend.

On Saturday, six of us completed a 10 mile coastal walk from Salcombe, after a café stop for seafood sandwiches. Elen toured some country lanes on her bike and Dave et al visited the Dewer Stone for some climbing. That evening duck breast, steaks and sausages were cooked on Dave’s “Grilletto” (a new must-have piece of camping equipment I’ve decided), alongside various veggie options..

Sunday dawned bright and warm and the entire group headed to Hound Tor. The majority climbed all day and I’m told the highlight was a fine lead from Leon of Suspension Flake. Josie and myself walked over to Hay Tor, taking in some industrial archaeology along the way.

Monday, folks prepared for home with plans to take in some Devonian tourist sites. Sculpture parks, the country home of Agatha Christie, gardens, potteries, river swimming, tea shops, Brixham also formed part of the weekend itinerary.

A great value weekend in terms of company, activities location and weather. Thanks to all who came.

Ali

Sunday 6 May 2018 High Neb report

15 Castle members made it to the “hot rock” of Stanage High Neb yesterday. A super turnout bearing in mind
a number were away on the Devon meet. Many routes completed by most ranging from Diff to VS.
Great to see so many enjoying the glorious “Bluebird day” along with many other climbers from all over the country.
Pete

Wildcat climbing Sunday 29 April 2018

Ten of us had a good day climbing at Wildcat, Matlock .and routes from HS to HVS were climbed.
Some of the starts to routes were a little damp but this did not seem to matter. Luckily, the cold wind was blowing over the top of the crag so the climbing temperature was good. It was great to see potential new members Alex and Kyle climbing with us. For some it was the first time climbing on this great crag and even for some the first time climbing on limestone
David