Chew Valley

Members:  Jim Symon, Andy Stratford, Dave Wylie, Sandy Gregson, Jim Gregson, Roger Dyke, Lester Payne, Dan O’Brien, Gareth Williams, Lucie Crouch, Emma Timmis, Matt Harrigan and Dave Shotton

Guests: Mike Whitehurst, Nikki Hamerton and Duncan Zerafa

 

It was a perfect sunny day and we left for Ravenstones from Binn Green all together.  On the way up to the crag some took the direct route while others went up via the Clough.  Sandy and Jim left us to do a walk around the edges in the sunshine and the rest stayed to do some climbs in the shade on Ravenstones.  I led Left Monolith (HS) followed by Dave D, Matt, Roger, (I told you you’d love it Roger!) and Nikki, it’s an excellent route up the Trinacle. Dan and Emma decided to try and enjoy (is that the correct term?) Stomach Traverse, which is totally ungradable.  Emma escaped out of pitch 2 and described it as ‘sketchy’ and Dan said ‘it was wonderful’!  Gareth, Lucie, Emma and Mike stayed on at Ravenstones for the day as the rest of the team headed to Dovestones Edge.

On our way we met Andy who had decided to do an early Alpine start and walk from his front door. He blamed his late arrival on getting up late for his Alpine start.  I couldn’t resist asking him if he had got lost, my question was met with stony silence - I’ll leave the readers to make up their own minds on that one!  Andy stayed to do Monolith Crack and said he’d catch us up at Dovestones – if he didn’t get lost….

It was a pleasant walk in the sunshine to Dovestones and we had lunch on the top of the crag.  Then people set about doing various routes. I followed Matt up a slightly green Jester (HS). Nicki led a team consisting of Dave D, Dave W and Roger up Answer Crack (MVS). Dan led Layback Crack (MVS) seconded by Matt, Andy and myself.

Soon it was time to move on to Rob’s Rocks for more fun in the sun.  The walk seemed longer than I remember and I kept saying to Roger ‘it’s just around the next bend’ he didn’t mind as he was enjoying the day and full of enthusiasm and keen to explore new rock – ‘I’m really enjoying this Jim’, ‘that’s what it’s all about Roger’ I replied.  Soon we were at the base of Rob’s Rocks and Andy, Dan, Daves D, S and W, Duncan, Matt and myself were left to enjoy its delights.  I climbed three routes with Roger: Letter Box (VD), Cripple’s Way (VD) and Zacharius (VD).  Roger was well chuffed with the days climbing and as ever, full of enthusiasm and praise for everyone else’s climbing efforts.

We sent Andy up Ylnosd Rib - no prizes for working out the anagram - (VD).  It’s a very tight squeeze chimney and to our delight Dan decided to follow so we got cameras and camcorders ready.  The crowd was not disappointed and the crag erupted in laughter as Dan squirmed and struggled: ‘I’m fatter than I look!’ While it looked as though Dan was there for the night Andy was giggling helplessly above. Dan shouted ‘I’m going to do a stomach and buttock traverse’ and out he popped into the sunshine.  Matt led Nameless One (VS) and the Daves led some more VDs ….. too many Daves on this meet to keep up with!

It was the time to head down to the Clarence for much needed refreshments and to catch up with Gareth, Lucy, Emma and Mike.  A fun packed and entertaining day so thanks all for coming.

Jim Symon