Members – Dan O’Brien, Mark Pilling, 

Guests – George Williams, Ine Van Caekenberbhe, Paul McCormack and Rob Mills

There was a great turnout this Wednesday, possibly related to the improving forecast, but I’m sure mostly related to the excellent, accessible climbing on offer on a mid-September evening.  Dan arrived early and set about ticking the right-hand side of the crag 

George, Paul, Ine and Mark arrived in quick succession and we split into groups.  Ine and Mark tackled The Corner (D) which was Ine’s first excursion onto gritstone and first experience of trad climbing – a different prospect to Belgian bolted climbs!  Dan and George climbed Mississippi Crack (S) followed by Paul.  George also had his first experience belaying on double ropes with Dan helpfully explaining how he intended to differentiate between the two identical ropes and then mixing them up almost straight away.  Paul Dan and Rob then teamed up for High Buttress Arete (VD) a route with serious objective dangers especially if the leader insists on throwing screw-gate karabiners off the top of the crag!  Mark, Ine and George then moved onto North Buttress Arete Direct (VS 5A) which they mistook for North Buttress Arete (HVD) much to the dismay of Ine’s forearms.  They also climbed Chimney and Crack (VD).

Dan, Rob and Paul climbed Portfolio (HVS 5B) which is a bit like a VS with a  5B boulder problem for the top move.  The move relented at the third time of asking once Dan had removed the fleece that was weighing him down.  Rob seconded with no trouble.  Paul seconded using the alternative finish after the crux dispatched him with fingertips literally inches from the finishing jug.  As darkness fell various combinations of KMC-ers made ascents of Central Route (S) and Chockstone Chimney (D) before heading to the pub in the darkness.   Other routes climbed included Broken Groove (D), Aged Crack (S), Corner Crack (VD), Squashed Finger (VD), Centre (HVD), Middle and Leg (D), Leg Stump (D), Nose Direct (HVD) and Footprint (VD).

Once in the (very posh and spruced up) Swan Inn the nominees of Den Lane, New Mills Torr and Hobson Moor were quickly whittled down to one by an all but unanimous vote for Hobson Moor – your correspondent voted for Den Lane but was too tired to think of any obscure electoral get-out-of-jail-free card to swing thing.  Maybe next time.  Or next year…