Chew Valley - Climb, Walk, Run

Members:  Craig Marsden, Colin Maddison, Andy Stratford, Dave Wylie, Lorna Marsland, Duncan Lee, Lester Payne, Jim Symon.

Guests:  Mirella de Jonge, James Meakin.

Pub appearance:  Dan O’ Brien

 

9.30 start, a good turnout despite the forecast looking grim earlier in the week.  A cool crisp autumn day was what we hoped for and that is what we got and so we set off up to Wimberry Rocks where the first climbs were to be had.  As we were gearing up Andy announced that “Colin and Jim are going to show what they can do when they get together”.  “There’s a vision to start the day!”  I replied.  A pause, then laughter set the banter for the rest of the day.  Lorna took some photos, then left to walk the route trying to banish any visions of Colin and myself in action!  Route l and Route ll were done by Colin and Craig (Good Will Grunting) and Andy, James and myself.  Andy showed a splendid display of sewing machine legs at the bottom of Route ll (VS 5a).  Dave and Mirella did Sloping Crack (VD) and attempted Twin Cracks (HS).  Lester looked on and relaxed in the sun at the top of the crag.  Soon it was time to head off along the top to Rob’s Rocks taking in plenty of views on the way.

A hippy was spotted running up to Rob’s Rocks from the top of Wilderness Gulley and sure enough a hairy vision appeared at the crag.  I thought it was one of those cave hermits at first but it turned out to be Duncan.  He started to tell me what he had done “Blah, Blah, Blah, Route, Route, Route, Blah, Blah, Blah!”  I ignored him but he carried on anyway.  We all did a couple of routes on Rob’s Rocks.  Mirella commented about the loss of feeling in her hands whilst climbing “What should I do?” she asked.  “Try biting them!” was all I could think of as helpful advice as I took in the rope.

It was time to head onto Dovestones Edge.  Duncan disappeared along the tops to do more routes and pop up on some poor soul walking and enjoying the view.  “Hi stranger I did this route Blah, Blah, Blah!”  It was good to see Duncan in his element running, climbing and talking - all at the same time.  We arrived at Dovestones Edge to catch the last rays of the afternoon sun.  Andy led Left Embrasure (VS 4b) and in his own words got ‘beasted’.  Colin and Craig had climbed Nasal Buttress RH (VS 4c) and got to the top to enjoy watching Andy getting beasted at the top of Left Embrasure.  Andy is just a born entertainer.  I followed Andy and he was visually disappointed that I wasn’t in his words ‘beasted’.  It was a good lead.  Mirella did a fine lead of Central Tower (VD) followed by Dave.  Craig was looking for a route to do.  I recommended Coopers Crack (HS 4b) “A bit steep but good gear” he looked suspicious.  I was belaying Mirella at the top of Nasal Buttress, when people all along the crag stopped to listen to what I could only describe as the last throes of a rutting stag.  It was of course the sound of Craig enjoying the delights of Coopers Crack.  It put a smile on everyone’s face and was a good end to the day’s climbing.  It was time to head down the valley and get some refreshments in the Clarence.  We met Dan O’Brien making a public appearance in the pub and chatted about the day’s efforts.  All in all, a good day out in Chew Valley.  Thanks for coming.

Jim Symon