Present (and slightly moist): Colin Maddison, Dave Dillon, Ding Koy, Margaret Williams, Frank Williams.

Well, triple booking yourself on the same day is a rare feat! But that’s what the original meet leader, Vicky Alderton, had done. The more impressive as she’d already switched the meet from Saturday to Sunday to avoid a clash! So Scott’s wedding winning out over work and climbing (congratulations Scott), I found myself coerced into leadership.

In truth, after an enjoyable day out on Stanage and faced with a miserable forecast for the following day, by Saturday night the stand-in meet leader was fairly convinced he was also triple booked for Sunday... with the sofa, television and the Indian Premier League. But the ‘Scribble’ page revealed at least two others were planning to go, so Sunday morning saw Wavy, Ding and myself heading north through frequent showers and occasional teasing glimpses of sunshine.

It was overcast but dry on reaching Clapham, but raining again five minutes later. So we retreated to the cafe for a tactical second breakfast (or, in Ding’s case, a very early afternoon tea), where we were pleasantly surprised to be joined by Frank and Margaret Williams.

Thus fortified, the three of us embarked on the pleasant half hour’s walk to inspect the crag. Showers came and went and the crag lived up to all our expectations. Our expectations being that it would be steep, wet and slimy. So we headed on up through the showers to inspect Gaping Gill, which similarly lived up to our expectations. Our expectations being that it would be deep, wet and slimy.

At Gaping Gill we found the caving club in residence, the winch in situ and Alan Wylie counting them in and counting them out. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to offended that I called him Dave!

None of us willing to part with a tenner for the descent, we retraced our steps. A little above Trow Gill we encountered Frank and Margaret again enjoying a circular walk. Passing through the Gill, the crag was still living up to our expectation, being no less steep, wet and slimy.

Back at the car, it hadn’t rained for an hour, so with signs of sun and a drying wind we headed to Giggleswick South in the hope of dry rock. To our pleasure ‘Sector Swallows Nest’ looked mainly dry and a few short consolation routes seemed on the cards. So the stand-in meet leader quickly threw himself at ‘The Second Icefield’ (F6a+)... and the ‘Second Icefield’ immediately threw him back off!

Starting again, slightly chastened and avoiding the offending wet foothold, there was just time to complete the ascent and for Dave to follow before the rain rolled in again and soaked the crag.

Cafe, walk, climb. Only so much pleasure one can take. So we headed home. Thanks to Dave, Ding, Margaret and Frank for making the effort.

Vicky... some sort of diary or calendar perhaps?

NOTE Change of Day!

Due to my gross stupidity I appear to have triple booked myself for the weekend! Thankfully Colin has saved the day and agreed to lead the meet. Let's hope my boss is as understanding because a good mates wedding trumps work.

Colin plans to be at the crag by about 11am armed with the few quick draws and the rope required. Grades range from F5 to F8a and you can get an ice cream on the pleasant 40 minute walk into the crag (GR SD 754717) from Clapham. For the early birds there is limited roadside parking on the right just after the large pay and display car park.

Meet leader now is: Colin "superstar" Maddison.

Vicky.