Members: Jared Kitchen, Andy Stratford, Andy Vine, Jack Buczo, Mark Ashley

A dry albeit windy evening at Pule Hill was had by 5 hardy KMCers who climbed several of the classic routes. First to arrive was Jared (who only lives down the hill) who traversed the quarry wall while the others approached the crag. Andy V arrived first and suggested Delilah, a thrutchy E1 in the quarry; as long as he didn’t lead it! Steeping up, Jared immediately got stuck in the narrow chimney. Removing his helmet meant some gear could be placed overhead, but his largest cam was too small for the crack! It his jam, Jared reflected on his options, then wriggled back down and set off on Mega factor (HVS 5a), a pretty good route on Leprosy wall, just as Andy S arrived. Everyone followed up. Nice warmup!

Mark and Jack had arrived on the decent. Unfortunately, Mark had left his gear at home and promptly set off to solo all the easier mods and diffs on the cliff. Andy S and Jack teamed up and set off  the opposite direction to the Sentinel buttress. Jared and Andy V liked the idea and followed.

At the sentinel Andy V coolly led up ‘No Treaverse’ (VS 4c) then Jared casually led ‘Traverse Not’ (VS 5a). Andy S vocally led ‘Bed End’ – ‘allegedly an HVD, however, it traversed some tricky terrain including a wild step over a void at the end.’ Andy then attempted ‘Traverse Not’ (VS 4c) on the same Buttress but backed off and went down to Flying Buttress and did the direct finish at HS 4b.

Jared and Andy V had headed back to the quarry where Andy V led ‘Annual Route’ (HS 4b). They then drove down the pub to meet Emily T and get some dinner (Or Tea for speakers of ‘Northern English’), and were eating before dark. A hour or so later the others arrived, and the evening was wound down over a pint, some left over chips and a packet of crisps and a chat. A nice end to lovely evening.

Next week it’s the brilliant Troy Quarry. See you all there!

Pule Hill

Pule Hill sits proudly at the head of the Colne valley, Kirklees, and when approached from Manchester, looks foreboding as it appears across the wild moorland. Luckily, the crag is actually home to a large number of good quality, amenable trad routes on both natural and quarried gritstone. Given the epic landscape, it is a very cool place to climb and hang out in the evening. I should know, I live at the bottom of the very same hill! Details can be found here: 

https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=318

Climbing will start whenever people arrive, but 6pm is always safe bet. Keep an eye on scribble for updates though, and let me know if you have any questions. I hope you will all consider coming up the crag for a evening out. See you soon.

Jared Kitchen, KMC Outdoor Meets Secretary, meets@karabiner.org