UKC

Any feedback from recent visitors would be appreciated re the wire strop lower-offs. Are they all still in good order, are there any places where an additional one or two would be useful? Thanks.

In reply to bpmclimb:

Visitors to where?

In reply to Bob:

Fairy cave quarry I reckon

In reply to jezb1:

Oh. Acronyms are fine when you know what they stand for IYSWIM

In reply to Bob:

Yet another TLA.

In reply to flaneur:

I thought they went bust, or was that TWA?

In reply to Bob:

Got to love a good HETLA (Highly Extended Three Letter Acronym)

In reply to bpmclimb:

Is a LO still mandatory for climbing the Alpine Ridge? I find they largely sit around base camp eating all your food and then disappear back to Shepton Mallet when they are bored.

In reply to bpmclimb:

The kit above Strictly Ballroom was in good order when we climbed there on March 15th this year. Not sure if there is something above Bramble Whine now, would be good to rig something to avoid need to scrabble through cliffside undergrowth to lower off the other side of Withy Crack.

In reply to bpmclimb:
Is there a bolt fund for FCQ I seem to remember some mention when Ian butterworth got this place off the ground? Last time I was there some routes on the right of glacis were being lost to undergrowth. Is there any plans for working parties to clear scrub and renewing lower offs?

In reply to all:

Sorry about the momentary oversight with the acronym. Yes, Fairy Cave Quarry. I've had so much to do with the place that I put FCQ sometimes without thinking.

Thanks to Ivan for the (solitary) useful reply.

In reply to kiwi boy:

The regrowth seems to affect the routes on the left of The Glacis most (Pueblo, etc). No plans for organised cleaning, but always grateful for any solo efforts - cleaning out gear slots, clipping back blackthorn, that sort of thing.

In reply to bpmclimb:

yeah I mean left sorry. next time I am down there I will take some snips too. Great place to climb but dont tell too many people
Andy

In reply to bpmclimb:
Climbed at FCQ again today, the ropes on the saplings above Caveman and Dan's Dance are both pretty green and mossy, probably still sound, but not reassuring looking.
Wire lower off above Caveman would be particularly welcome.

In reply to bpmclimb:

Noted, will aquire some more wire strops for FCQ.

In reply to riddle:
The wire lower offs on the slide and above slight of hand are very reasurring thanks for your hard work. Brambles could, do with clearing at the exit of the socialist also. Did a bit of clearing around the belay on glacis on sunday with some snips. Every little helps
Cheers andy

In reply to kiwi boy:

I am just a wire strop guy. The judge says I am not allowed sharp, pointy objects anymore.

In reply to bpmclimb:

Excellent - I'm always impressed with the quality of the lower offs at Fairy Cave, I love the crag as it's only 10 minutes from work

I've noticed a lot of new bits of cord appearing and new pegs - I think all the volunteers do an amazing job - Fairy Cave, Goblin and Avon have all seen new additions. I shall pop some money in the pot at Dick's when I'm next in.

I shall take my snippers next time I'm at FCQ too

In reply to bpmclimb:


Hi Brian,the old tree at the top of "Toblerone" and "Truffle" is still quite healthy but it looks as though it could do with a bit of TLC so would it be possible to have a padded wire strop put round it before it gets too damaged.

In reply to deepstar:

Was there, on Truffle, tonight and though exactly the same.

In reply to bpmclimb:

Heading to FCQ this weekend, are there any other belays that need replacing, other than those already mentioned?

In reply to riddle and bpmclimb:

I was there last week. The wire strops on the Glacis looked fine.The rope belays above Caveman are a bit green, but I know how strong old rope is and had no anxiety.
Either the stake for Shabby Chic has disappeared in the brambles or one is needed.

In reply to scott titt:



Wow! the route hasnt fallen down yet?

In reply to The Pylon King:

After 45 years climbing at Swanage it seemed quite solid to me, could be a pleasant enough route if it had more traffic.

In reply to scott titt:

I thought the same but just couldn't stabalise the top out at all

In reply to bpmclimb:

I had an email this week about the lower off above Withy Crack. I haven't checked but apparently the tree is showing signs of wear as people place their abseil ropes directly around the tree. Maybe this would be worth checking.
Ian Butterworth

In reply to Ian Butterworth:

Thanks Ian, will take a look and add a wire strop if required.

In reply to Ian Butterworth:

Did this this evening, and the rope is still there, green, but fine. And I reckon that would be the problem that its so green that you could easily not notice it.... A wire strop, higher in the tree would be less ignorable... Also looked at the abseil descent down at the rons slab end... Again pretty buried, and one of the stakes is looking fairly ropey when compared to those lovely enormous stakes you ha,mered in a couple of years ago with Posh and the Nadinator. If you know where to get some more, I'll happily help buy and smash the hell out of them for the requisite half hour to place them... Friday night is climbing night at the minute...

In reply to mike kann:
I have one stake in the garage so would be good to meet one Friday do some routes and sort out the Rob's Slab ab. I' off to Spain tomorrow until end of month so I'll contact you when I get back.

In reply to Ian Butterworth:

Cool! Let me know when...

In reply to bpmclimb:

There are new belay anchors are on Toblerone, Jiggery Pokery, and higher up in the tree on Senile Taff Corner. I did not remove the rope and belay ring.

Wessexy could do with some traffic as the as the middle part of the lower section is becoming over grown.

I have one wire strop left, unless other suggestions pop up I'll save it for Bramble Whine.

The brambles around the belay stake on Demon Moves Mike have been cleared a little. Garden shears would do a better job.

In reply to riddle:

Thanks for your hard work!

In reply to deepstar:

The crag is worth the effort. A gardening program might be a good thing to do this summer.

In reply to riddle:

Thanks Roger. I have been thinking of organising a gardening session one evening. I'll put a date on here when I return from my trip. Of course anyone with the time and inclination is free to have a go when they are next at FCQ.
Ian

In reply to bpmclimb:

I am heading down to FCQ this Saturday, with one wire sling left to place. Unless I hear otherwise it will go at the top of Bramble Whine.

In reply to bpmclimb:

The Hillwithy Connection and Bramble Whine has a wire strop for belaying now.

In reply to riddle:

Nice work Roger!