Hi everyone,
I’ve been watching the forecast over the last couple of days hoping it would improve – in fact it’s now even worse, rain all day on Sunday. I don’t think anyone will thank the BMC for dragging them out of bed to stand around in the rain being eaten alive by midges so we have cancelled the group clean up planned for this week-end.
However, a small group of people have been beavering away at the crag and some of the major lines are now in good condition and getting ascents; As of today:
Wasp HVS **– now thoroughly cleaned and getting climbed
Goulash E1 – was given a thorough clean but may have caught a bit of dust when Wasp was given a second cleaning. Should be climbable.
Boadicea E2*** – thoroughly cleaned and new tat added to key pegs where needed. Getting climbed
Every face tells a story HVS** - cleaned and getting climbed
Golden Delicious E3*** - second pitch cleaned and accessible from Mandarin
Mandarin E2**- top cleaned including removal of massive block, lower half cleaned but small section in the middle still a bit dirty – probably going to be sorted today
Rhododendron Buttress E2*** Cleaned and 2 new pegs. Getting climbed.
Cave Route VS** - 1st pitch cleaned and whole route has had a couple of ascents. Saplings on final pitch need chopping.
Demdike HVS** - top half cleaned, bottom still needs a brushing but may be climbable.
Crème de Menthe VS** Cleaned, still a bit dusty but getting climbed
In the Pink E1* Cleaned
As with any major cleaning project there is still a bit of dust settling back on to the holds but everything listed here is climbable and will improve with more traffic. Access to the top of the crag is possible from either side and a good set of steps has been dug out of the bank on the RHS.
There is still plenty to be done and we really do need a lot more people to get involved.
A few heroes have been doing most of the work to date but it really isn’t fair to just leave it to them.
If everyone thinks it is someone else’s job then soon there will be no somebody elses willing to put the effort in.
So if you’re going to the crag please help out by cleaning a route – there is a supply of tools stashed under the overhang below Boadecia. Help yourself to these and remember to put them back afterwards so others can carry on the work.
We will probably call another group cleaning day in the next few weeks when the weather forecast is less dire. In the meantime please get stuck into the climbing (and the cleaning)
Cheers
Colin Struthers
NW Area Chairman
