In reply to JLS: You do have a slight point here, when Pete bolted the line he was intending to go to the top of the crag (hence lowers off a single bolt at his highpoint rather than a double bolt belay which is at the top about 5 bolts higher!)
The reason Pete didn't try to continue is it was completely soaking - I had gone over to work my project which is the extension to the Brute, but it was so wet I didn't even get on it...
On Diamond Dogs the start up to Pete's 'belay' is very sustained climbing, there is then a section (30ft?) of jugs/much easier climbing before a few trickier sections and then a hard final boulder problem. Pete felt that although the full line should go to the top there is probably no change in grade (it would prob just be hard 8c+ or maybe 9a, guess it depends how it feels if/when he does it) and - especially with the top so wet and only likely to get wetter over the winter - it felt like a natural stopping place. If you look at the topo you will see many of the routes stop well below the top (Brute just to R stops same height) especially so on the routes over to the R where there is 100ft of steep rock above most of the belays.
It would be really good if Pete (or the next person to climb it if Pete gives up on it) took it to the top as that would make what is already one of the uks best sport routes even better.
Pete Robins has completed a new route on The Diamond in the nick of time before the wet winter weather returns. It had been a frustrating time for him since beginning on the project back in August with conditions frequently not good enough for a proper attempt.
