Wed 11th Jul, 2018
Dovestones Edge, Chew Valley
Mark Ashley (M), Paul Evans (M), Cathy Gordon (M), Isobel Prause (M), Tim Howarth (M) , JP (G), Erfan (G), Andy Vine (G), Adam Mccudden (G).
Weather was cloudy but dry, which meant that the uphill slog to the crag was not too uncomfortable. Dovestones was rather lichen covered - I guess Moorland Grit isn’t fashionable these days - but unlike Pule Hill earlier in the year, at least it wasn’t damp!
Adam set up a top rope which was used to good effect by Andy, JP and Isobel (and Adam himself) on both Friction Addiction and Slip Off Slab. Both routes are now considerably cleaner than when we arrived.
I led Layback Crack, Cathy followed. Cathy then did Traditional, the variation start to June Climb, and Cathy also led Answer Crack, seconded by me and JP.
Andy led Layback Crack, with Isobel seconding - they then joined Adams top roping exploits.
Mark led First Triplet, seconded by Tim, and Question Mark, seconded by Tim and Erfan. Tim led the top half of Tower Ridge (somewhat shorter than its Scottish namesake) and Mark and Erfan seconded.
So a well attended and pleasant evening, we even had a breeze to keep the midges down. Nice pint in the Clarence afterwards.
Next week
Castle Naze
Other nominees were Alderman Rocks and Helsby (binned again - sorry…I quite like it!)
Editors Note - It did not, in the end, come home...
Paul Evans