"The Beach Boys Strike Back"!

Present: Paul Evans, Rick Davies, Matt Rhodes, Peter Johnson.

The meet got off to a cracking start with the sunshine (as predicted) being both warm and glorious. Following a brief discussion we decided to pay a visit to Marsland crags, however we were in for a bit of a surprise. The guide had described two approaches, one across the beach (ruled out due to tides being in) and another down a ridge and then path to the crag; we chose to take the latter option. Anyway when we got to the path and ridge we realised that things weren't going to go so smoothly - the ridge was rather more like an E2 4c, extremely loose and dangerous looking - so we didn't go down the ridge! Following a brief discussion a change of plan was made - we would visit Vicarage Cliff instead.

Vicarage cliff was a much more pleasant experience than the Marsland had been and we all got to grips some good climbing, although were convinced that some of the grades were a little bit circumspect - VS 4c felt rather more like E1 !

The following day the sun was up again and we all opted for the shorts option, and made the trip up the coast to Baggy point. At Baggy the rock was much more solid and so I decided to give Matt a bit of a baptism of fire, so took him up Kinkyboots (with the fall across the zawn start) and then really pushed his abilities on Chounards yard 1 - a rather bold and thin HVS 5a. Meanwhile Pete and Paul got to grips with Moon shot and Scrattling Crack.

On the Monday morning we all de-camped and made our way back to Baggy where we ticked off a few of the routes on the left hand slab before taking part in one of the prime KMC past times, visiting the tea shop - of course to indulge in a classic cream tea!

So, No traffic jams to note on either journey and superb weather All weekend thanks very much to those guys that came you all helped to make a superb weekend. To those of you that didn't come, why not? Was it because you've lost your sense of adventure? Was it because it wasn't a 'local' meet in the Peak? Or simply because you couldn't be bothered to make the effort and go that extra mile.

North Devon – Also known as The Beach Boys Saga!

Looking for something a little bit different? Fancy really getting your sense of Adventure going?

The look no further, this is the meet for you! This meet will take you to North Devon, an area that unfortunately was closed for much of last year due to F & M.

So what's in store for you if you go? Well there's superb climbing in the entire grade ranges, in the lower grades routes like Ben (S), Scrattling Crack (VD) and Marion (HS) all stand out. Moving up a grade or two routes like Kinkyboots (VS), Sexilegs (HVS) Midnight Cowboy (HVS) Lunakhod (HVS) Clawtrack (HVS) all stand out, not to mention the awesome Wreckers Slab (VS) – one of the biggest sea cliff climbs in the country!

And for those with rather more daring intentions look no further than routes such as The smile (E1) – would make an excellent first E1! Rude Nude (E3) The Verger (E1) Sacre Coeur (E2) and Blisterin Barnacle (E2). If this doesn't wet your appetite perhaps you should check your pulse! Or are these a bit too easy? Then take a closer look at Smoothlands or Lower Sharpnose point – the homes of some of the best higher E grade routes in the country.

Oh, and did I forget to mention the sunshine?

Where to stay? I'll be stopping at a small and friendly campsite just outside the village of Kilkhampton where it's normally about £3 per person per night. In the village there is a good fish and Chip shop and several good pubs. Further a-field there is a Safeway super market in Bude (7 miles). If it's too hot to climb or you just fancy a day down at the beach there are some superb beaches in the area, in particular Sandy Mouth, and if you're feeling really wild you could hire both a surfboard or body board and wet suit for about £6 a day from Zoomajay's in Bude.

So come on – lets go surfing now, everybody's learning how come on a surf safari with me!

For Further Info ring me or email me.