Curbar Climbing

Members Present: Fiona Roy, Sheena Hendrie, Roger Dyke, Dave Bone, Dave Dillon, Andrew Croughton, Paul Evans, Rob Allen, Al Metelko, Ken Beetham, Dave Wylie, Joe Flynn, Christine Beeston, Scott Sadler, Trish Cranston, Lester Payne, Jenny Varley, Mark Ashley, Iain McCallum

Guests: Roger Daley, Martin Simpson, Barney King, Mark Binham, Steve Chesulet, Kate Sparks, Tom Howard, Jo Farrington, Dave Moon, Pam McCallum, Helen Dowd, Elena?

 

Rarely has a meet gone so perfectly to plan. We all expected quality suffering from Curbar and we got it! I've never seen so many routes with climbers hanging and dangling, swearing, and generally being repulsed.

The day started well with my navigator (Dave B) arriving at the car park in time to ensure the meet leader managed to find the rendezvous point at Avalanche Wall. Having found it, he decided the meet leader had better climb it, which started the hanging and dangling tone of the rest of the day. I have the horrible feeling the meet photographer (Andy C) recorded the event before escaping off to Froggatt.

Ken Beetham spectated - nice to see him out on a meet - while assorted KMC and guests came and went. Paul Evans warmed the two Rogers up on Owl's Arête before making them suffer (lots more hanging and dangling) on Maupassant, a thuggish layback of a HVS. They quit his company and retreated thereafter to find more accommodating V Diffs. Dave B suffered from Insanity, and then insisted that I follow suit (H&D therapy helped towards recovery). Avalanche Wall proved an introduction to the crag for a few teams, Jo led CMC 1, and Dave Wylie disappeared towards Frogatt and was never seen again.

Highlights of the afternoon included Joe having afternoon tea on a ledge in fine Presidential style, but failing to complete Polar Crack??? despite "constructive" advice from Lester and Mark and offer of combined tactics from Rob. Dave Bone's Suspect Intellect was further tested, Rob in a Pod provided fine photos, more H&D, but ultimately required leadership from Paul Evans, and Scott apparently romped up the Peapod but has vowed never to do it again in his life. Fiona put in a guest appearance in the car park, Iain and Pam were sighted somewhere along the top of the crag, Roger Dyke stripped in front of a Spanish lady but got permission first, and assorted teams reappeared from the far reaches of the crag (swearing they had never been near Froggatt all day).

Curbar lived up to its hard reputation but most people seemed to enjoy themselves and have agreed to a repeat - in 10 years time when collective memories have faded. Thanks to all who came.

Sheena Hendrie