UKC

This weekend is The Stoney Middleton Climbers Reunion - a social climbing event for those who love and have climbed at what was once the epicentre of British Climbing.

Climbers, many of them pioneers of new routes at Stoney or just spent far too long there, will be making there way from all over the UK to reunite at their old stomping ground.

All are welcome, from young to old.

Read more at http://www.ukclimbing.com/news/item.php?id=57692

In reply to UKC News:

Remember it's not all about Stoney! It isn't really a reunion either! It's more of a get-together to celebrate the important place that Stoney holds in the history and development of Peak District rock climbing.

In the past Stoney was - as Mick says - the epicentre of Peak District climbing, and this was due not only to the easily accessible limestone buttresses, but also the cafe within easy walking distance, the local pubs, and the numerous dossing opportunities offered by the crag, the woodshed, the engine shed and others.

The thing about Stoney though was that the cafe and the doss places provided everyone with a base; it was a place where you sometimes climbed, but often you'd get the bus down, doss at Stoney, breakfast in the cafe and then set off to somewhere else - gritstone or limestone - but always returning to Stoney for maybe a last brew before an evening in the Grouse or similar, and then dossing down again.

As such, there was a huge social scene about Stoney Middleton - all sorts would come and go, and hopefully this weekend will be the same, so even if you're intending to climb somewhere else in the Peak District this weekend, you'll still be welcome to come along for a chat, a brew and even some free food.

Phil Kelly

In reply to RockArchivist:
I wish I could be there. I spent many an happy hour doing routes I could climb, trying routes I couldn't at first, but the main thing was the 'scene'. I met and became friends with many climbers st Stoney. It enabled me to improve my grade (VS at Stoney was HVS anywhere else), expand my social circle, meet just about every personality type that exists, have entertaining evenings, good food, and everything every else anyone, who was around Stoney in the late 60's and 70's knows about, and may vaguely remember.
Wish I could be there, but it's a long commute from Texas, the Mecca of flat lands, with the nearest reasonable climbing 250 miles and 3 hours away!
Hi to anyone who remembers me, there must be a few still alive. You are welcome to contact me, I am on facebook and my e-mail is available somewhere on this site. If you have trouble leave contact details on this forum.
Cookie

In reply to UKC News: If there are any wads thinking of going, consider raven tor in Miller's Dale instead. It is much better.

In reply to Chad H:
Depends on what grade you climb. When I first started, the Prow was the aid route to aim for. I did bits of it free even then. Nowadays I don't think I could get off the ground at Raven Tor, beautiful as it is. For the average to good climber Stoney has so much to offer, and I can't wait for my next trip to the UK to see how I measure up against the old place after several years on an assortment of US rock, with heavily overgraded routes, (Relative to Stoney)

In reply to UKC News: Sounds like it should be a great w/e. Sorry I can't make it, but hi to anyone who knows me and have a lot of fun eating, drinking and maybe even climbing.

In reply to Chad H: Stoney is king!

In reply to UKC News: Only just seen this. What a great idea. I will most definitely make it next year. I have fantastic memories climbing there with my old mate Craig Smith. Super climbs. Great characters. Ginger sponge and custard. The cafe. The land of the midnight sun. A great place to miss spend my youth.

In reply to sugy:

Craig is coming.

In reply to UKC News: Have fun you guys, I'd already decided on the Gower festival, otherwise I'd be there.

Happy memories.

In reply to Chad H:

Hey, Chad! Thanks for your support. Makes all the effort worthwhile.

Phil

In reply to UKC News:

Hi

Everything is now in place for a great weekend, so we'll hopefully see you there.

Well, I say everything but there are just two things we need to track down beforehand: a water carrier (so's we can get enough water up to PWW to make brews etc) and a couple of trestle tables (to put brews and food etc on).

Would anyone in the UKC collective have access to either of these and could we either collect them on the Friday or get them to Stoney early enough on the Saturday morning ready for breakfast?

Phil Kelly

In reply to sugy:

Are you Sugy - Guppy from Adel's mate?

E

In reply to Chad H:

Hi Chad,

Fancy meeting up for a rad session on the Powerband. I'll spot you.

In reply to RockArchivist:

Think he is a troll who had a different but similalrly obnoxious persona in the past.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com: Yeah for sure man, I'll send you an e-mail when I'm next heading up. Probably around March.

Chad

In reply to David Hooper:

And a Mark Cavendish profile pic lol!!

E

In reply to Chad H:

Nip round. I'm only up the road from you.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Mick - genius - I had to come out of hiding for this one....

Sounds sick, real sick

In reply to RockArchivist:
still needed!

In reply to UKC News: Just heard from Mick, who's up at Stoney at the moment putting the finishing touches to the preparations; he says the crag is dry so far, so if the rain overnight is a worry, all looks good for a dry day up at Stoney.

Phil

In reply to RockArchivist:

Hi Phil, plan to pop by tomorrow, probably late morning-ish.

J

In reply to Ropeboy: I forgot to mention it to Jim!

In reply to RockArchivist:

It's okay, I reminded his daughter and she's let him know.

It's a bit 'damp' at the moment, I'll pop out a bit later.

J