Members: Jim Symon, Andy Stratford. Guests: Duncan Zerafa, Paul McCormack.

I'm not known for my wild optimism, and I even doubted my own scribble ''looks like a bright sunny evening'' - that was just to encourage Jim. Dark clouds threatened all the way and we passed through a couple of showers....but weirdly north Bolton was dry. The crag was very dry, in fact it's entirely possible that it escaped the bucketloads of rain in Manchester and Liverpool entirely! Due to the distinct lack of summer the outside face of the prow was pretty green and uninviting, however the inside face was in excellent nick. I led up Flywalk VS 4c with Jim following, just as Paul and Duncan arrived. Jim waltzed up Rambling Route (VDiff) with the 3 of us following.

Threatening clouds had blown over leaving clear skies and a sudden drop in temperature - far too cold for the midges - I don't think we saw a single one! I decided to try the delights of Eliminate - a VS 4c with an excellent 5m exposed traverse. Paul led his first route in nearly a decade - Scimitar (Diff). Jim then led up Bird Chimney S4a as the final route, again with all three of us following. The light faded very quickly and we were in the Wilton Arms (now a full on pub-restaurant) for 8.45pm. Crags on the table were Windgather, Den Lane and the winner: Running Hill Pits - more high quality quarried grit with a few fierce cracks. Meet in The Church after.