Trowbarrow
Trowbarrow Meet Report 19th June 2024
Members: Andy Stratford, Lewis Stonehouse, Leah Holmes, Rob Embry.
Trowbarrow quarry is a special place. It is an SSSI with lots of great plant life and trees and abounds with birds and song. But its Limestone. It’s a funny thing. Normally I actively avoid it. I seem to get on with only a few limestone venues, and this is one of them. It's not normal limestone being absolutely chocka with foraminifera fossils – and the routes on the main walls are unique in that you find yourself pulling hard on fossils to climb the steep routes!
We all wanted to climb the classic fossil fest of Jean Jeanie (VS 4c) on the main wall, but it was occupied when we arrived on a beautiful, sunny, calm evening. Rob and I set about the *** Assagai (HVS 5a) – a simple scramble up the Diff of boundary groove led to a commodious ledge and a long traverse left before tackling the steep wall to arrive at the incredible flutings at the top. It was steep climbing all the way, but with decent gear and excellent holds – it was an enjoyable lead. Like everywhere at Trowbarrow the limestone is becoming a little polished on the popular routes. Lewis made a start on the *** V Diff, Jomo then moved over to Barrier Reef S 4a with Leah following both routes.
Rob had a go at Coral Sea **(VS 4c), tossing a few random bits of gear down the crag and having a minor faff at the start (something to do with too much bouldering!) but finished in fine style. I followed up, and after we decanted to the main wall for an evening finale in the setting sun on Jean Jeanie. Lewis made a fine and steady job on lead and Leah followed gamely – with just two short falls and much effort making it to the top – a first VS and a cracking one – it's not an easy one, and at 30m it tests the arms out! Rob and I both followed up too, what a great finish at the top to the sun setting over the Lake District mountains and sea and sand in Morecambe Bay glowing in the evening light.
It was 2016 when I last visited. I won’t leave it so many years till the next time!
Andy Stratford
