Blackstone Edge

Wed 22nd Apr, 2015

20 minute walk in, Superb sunset, great pub nearby, all grades and bouldering

Members: Stevie Graham, Helen Boothman, Dan O'Brien, Paul Evans, Mark Garrod, Mark Ashley.

Guests: Matt Harrigan.

Fine weather and the prospect of getting to walk on an ancient Roman road were sufficient enticement for a small band of intrepid adventurers to make the short hike up from the Whitehouse pub to Blackstone Edge.  Unfortunately, we were rather oversold on the provenance of the roads and it turns out that rather than being Roman, it is actually an 18^th century turnpike.

What have these Romans ever done for us anyway?

Pendulum Swing (VS) saw ascents from Helen and Matt, ably followed by Mark G and Stevie respectively.  Paul might even have snapped some suitable shots for the new Lancashire guidebook, assuming there is a market for pictures of people grinding their faces along some of the roughest gritstone in the peak on the traverse section...  After some half-hearted bouldering around on the bottom of Little Miss Id and deciding that discretion was the better part of valour Dan tied on for a go on the attractively named Mangler (VS) which extracted its pound of flesh from the back of his hands before forcing a retreat. 

On the boulders, Dan and Helen climbed Trig Slab (F6a) and Trig Arête (F6b+) and something else up and right (about F6b) that I couldn’t find on the net while Mark and Mark got stuck into Central Crack (VD) and Matt and Stevie climbed Outside Edge (VS).

As the sun set, the pub beckoned.  Dan, enthusiastic for more bouldering nominated Bridestones, Helen put forward Woodhouse Scar and Matt suggested Frodsham.  Even Matt’s description of Frodsham as green, highball and terrifying was not enough to garner any support and Woodhouse won in a unanimous second round vote.  A short walk-in, compact gritstone and the furthest North Matt has ever been – look out Halifax, we’ll see you next week.

Dan

Blackstone Edge

Wed 14th Aug, 2013

20 minute walk in, Superb sunset, great pub nearby, all grades and bouldering

No sunset tonight.....

Dave Wylie, Mark Ashley, Andy Stratford, Nick Adamson and Stuart Hurworth managed a few routes before the clag came in and turned the grit into soap.

Cadshaw got the vote tonight beating Castle Naze by four to one.

Blackstone Edge

Wed 25th Jul, 2007

Down to only two KMCers again for this week's evening meet: Mark Ashley and Dave Wylie (most of the other mid-week regulars are in the Alps). By the time Mr. W. had walked to the crag (from home!), Mark had already soloed several of the easier routes. Dave soloed "South Chimney", then followed Mark up "Pendulum Swing" and "Central Groove". As neither of the pair fancied attempting any of the gnarlier VSs, it was off to the White House pub to sample the local beer and pick the crag for the next week.

Blackstone Edge

Wed 12th Jul, 2006

Another respectable turn-out by the KMC, with regulars Dave Wylie, John Cox, Mark Ashley, John Guest, Trish Cranston, Dave Dillon and Al Metelko being joined by newcomers Matt from Milnrow, plus young Gordon (who climbed) with his Dad (who supervised). A brief (and rather incomplete) summary of the routes climbed is as follows: South Chimney (Diff): Dave W. (solo) North Chimney (Moderate): Dave W. (solo, twice), Trish Cranston (solo), John Guest (solo) Pendulum Swing (VS, 4c): Mark Ashley (lead), John Cox (second, then lead), Trish (second), Dave W. (lead), John Guest (second with lots of blood) Pendulum Swing Direct (HVS, 5a): Dave D. (top-rope), Al (top-rope) Twin Cracks (V-Diff): Dave W. (lead, right hand crack only) Central Groove (Severe, 4a) Central Crack (V-Diff): John Cox (lead) Belly on a Plate (VS, 4c): John Cox and Mark Ashley (comedy lead/second combo) Random bouldering By the end of the evening, at least half a dozen from another (non KMC) group had also turned up, so this small gritstone outcrop was getting pretty crowded!

Blackstone Edge

Wed 15th Sep, 2004

(No Reports)