UKC

Just a little warning: went to Earl this evening, and had the worst midge experience ever, worse than Scotland even. Seriously unbearable, and we had to leave after only two routes. If you're going, take some repellent, or expect to have a very bad time. Never seen anything like it. Maybe it's something to do with all the wet weather - no idea really - but the place is absolutely infested!

Is there a plague of midges everywhere else?

In reply to Steve Parker:

shaftoe tonight,
topped out a few times on midges and not rock.

In reply to philo: troy quarry tonight was heaving with flying ants as it cooled off! And there was loads of wee froggies/toads about too!

In reply to Steve Parker:

At this time of year you need a good breeze at Earl. We were there on Thursday and it was fine (and breezy).

boB

In reply to Bob:

It was breezy on top, but pretty still down by the crag. But I've been going there quite a few years and never seen anything like this. You couldn't even walk anywhere without getting a mouthful and eyes-full of them. Just huge clouds of midges everywhere in feeding frenzy, and deeply unpleasant. It was freakish. Unclimbable really. Headed to the pub in Goose Eye pretty sharpish.

In reply to Steve Parker:

Would that have been The Turkey by any chance?

The Ent ™

In reply to Steve Parker: I popped up to Earl as well last night. Absolutely awful it was. Stayed for all of 2 minutes.

In reply to Enty:
Sure was. How do you know that then?

In reply to Steve Parker:

Maybe he used to live in the area?

Anyway the midges weren't bad with us last night and we are close to Earl, it must be the heather and vegetation. Tonight would have been better, the windmill at the farm behind was going great guns at about half past seven, should have kept the little sods away.

boB