In reply to UKC Articles:
Hi Chris,
Great article!
Good to hear you're still keen and getting things done!
While climbing in Stoney (electric) quarry earlier this year I had a bit of a flashback to a Saturday in the late seventies or possibly early eighties, but would like your confirmation that this actually happened (as opposed to me just imagining it... I do that sometimes).
At that time the spiked metal fence around the substation had yet to be built and some local climbers (me, Mark Stokes, Richard Carey and others) used to 'builder' on the micro-edges of the station walls. If I'm not mistaken, one Saturday you came down from Leeds along with Al Manson and (possibly) Steve Webster, and for some reason, possibly dodgy weather, instead of climbing routes we all ended up buildering on the substation.
I don't remember too much about the buildering but I do remember that after everybody shredded their finger tips the session degenerated into a Sheffield versus Leeds stonefight, where each team strove to hold the 'high ground' (the roof of the substation). Ammunition was in plentiful supply, thanks to the electricity company's installation of a hardcore of limestone chips, but I don't think any of us sustained injuries (probably crap shots)?
Any memories of that day, and if so, do you think keen young climbers still indulge in this kind of thing?
Best Regards,
Pete.