Members: Dave Wylie, Duncan Zerafa, Steve Graham, Tim Howarth, Ben Slater, Jared Kitchen, Dan O’Brien, Elliot Brown, Emily Pitts

Guests: Isabel Prause, Patti Xariklia, Jack Buczko, Caro C, Alastair Philp, John Smallwood, Chris Kastavunis

From a visit around a decade ago, your correspondent remembered Anglezarke Quarry as a midge infested rat hole… Luckily, for this visit, the rats were nowhere to be found but the midges were in fine fettle.  We had a great turnout of 16 members and guests and some fine weather which allowed plenty of climbing.

There were many original ascents of Aldred's Original (VD) including Jack, Dave and Alastair all followed by multiple enthusiastic seconds.  Dave then went on the lead Whittaker's Original (HS 4a).  Meanwhile, Emily led Meanwhile (S) because Dave was climbing Because (HS) with a little jaunt into the shrubbery, which Caro then seconded. 

Duncan managed to wedge in a lead of Wedge (HS 4b) followed by Isobel and Caro - with a supporting role from Dave W removing a particularly stuck nut.  Dan also led followed by Tim and John.  Patti led Metamorphosis, a rather bold VS also led by Ben.  Patti was followed by Dan and Tim.  Elliot cruised up Terra Cotta (HVS) followed by Jared.  Dan also climbed Terra Cotta with much less poise, followed by Tim (on his first KMC midweek meet – surprising for a full member).  Patti followed and made it look so easy Tim suggested she should be made to climb it again.

Steve had a nightmare on Nightmare (VS 4b) seconded by Ben and Emily.  Tim had less of a nightmare but gained much more airtime on the same route, caught and followed by Dan.  Elliott and Jared spent some time working Fingertip Control (E4) which they described variously as “brutal” and a “monster”.

Finally, Jared led First Finale (E1) followed by Elliott and Patti. 

Happy days. The midges that came out to welcome us at first eventually overcame our enthusiasm and as the light faded we retreated to the pub.  With a number of new members it fell to your corespondent to explain the voting rules after which we had four choices.  Cow’s Mouth was first to fall after a three way tie for last place resulted in a run-off. Next to go was Castle Naze followed by Alderman leaving Troy Quarry as the winner.

Emily and Dan