Members present: Roy Lee, John Cox, Colin Maddison, Scott Saddler, Andy Stratford, James Williams and Duncan Lee.

Guests present: Ivy Limbrick and Norman Howard.

After nearly 48 hours of continuous rain of biblical proportions, polishing up on ones ark-building skills would have been a good idea but despite that 8 hardy souls (*) gathered in the car park under the shelter of Ivy’s van’s back door. The last relatively dry spot we would see for a while, well until we got back to the café. Before that however there was a run to be done so we squelched forth into the wind and driving rain, but at least it was warm rain that lashed us as we made our way down to Calf Hey reservoir. We then crossed the dam and followed the Rossendale Way up to Musbury Heights where we regrouped before heading through the mist to Hog Lowe Pike. From there the going underfoot over Edgerton Moss was distinctly on the heavy side but everyone appeared to be having fun in a strange kind of way. Colin gleefully raved about how easy running felt when you could slip stream a septuagenarian. Others have pondered whether it is physically possible to slipstream someone half your width; answers on a postcard as they say.

Anyway back to the run. From the old stone milestone on the moss we dropped back into the Ogden valley where we rejoined the Rossy Way, which we more or less followed back to the car park and the warm welcoming fug of the café for a well-earned cup of tea. Once we had nearly all failed the initiation test of the sliding door that is.

As the majority of the runners were preparing to head home James arrived to swell the number of climbers (*) to 4. Well it had to be done. We all failed to get to Troy Quarry dry shod but it was that kind of a day but once there a route had to be ascended. Choosing the easiest and best protected climb in the quarry was a no brainer so I slithered my way up Left Siamese Twin, which I laced with gear in between chanting, “watch me, watch me.” The moves on to the ledge just below the top were like wrestling a giant bar of soap. James, Andy and Colin all enjoyed the quality slime experience before we put lots of Lancastrian water into our rucksacks and headed for home.

Thanks to everyone who turned out on such a foul day.

(*) feel free to insert the word idiots here instead of the ones used.

Part one of the day is a run around the Ogden valley and surrounding moors starting from Clough Head car park and café (GR 749232) on the B6232 Haslingden to Blackburn road at 10am. Distance wise, I was thinking of a jaunt around the 6 mile mark but I will pick a route that can be shorten or extended if so desired.

Either way the aim is to be back at the car park in time to have a cuppa at the cafe before driving (or running) down the road to Troy Quarry for noon. By this time the sun should have warmed the rock nicely for a few hours cragging.

Feel free to turn up for either part of the day but preferably both.