Almscliff

Champagne sparkling air at Almscliff

Laurie and I hooked up in yorkshire before heading to Almscliff on another beautiful gritstone february day. The air was champagne clear sparkling across the fields to Almscliff a crisp bite in the air, the mood was set for a good days sending. We pitched up at the Morrell's Wall group of boulders. We got warmed up then both Laurie and I managed to send Morrell's wall an excellent V2/Fb 6a fingery problem up a face. Next our attention turned to the problem called below the decks. At this point an enthuastic spanish geezer called Mario hooked up with us, wanting to climb with us. One of his first questions was ' is this gritstone like in hard grit?' Aye was our reply. Mario then got stuck in with massive amounts of enthuasim and guns firing on full. Laurie managed to climb the V2/Fb 5+ version of below the decks. Mario soon followed. After a bit of trying to remember the sequence I manged to get the V5/Fb 6c+ version of below the decks. Mario got it straight after us. We then headed up to climb the two good V2/Fb 6a problems in the hanging rib area. Both good quality sit down start problems.

At this point Martin turned up. Whilst he warmed up Mario and I sent Flying Arete (V3/Fb6a+). Mario managed to beta flash this problem after I pointed out all the tacs. Tac tac tac! Mario then turned his attention to the big V5/Fb 6c arete next to flying arete. He managed to flash it whilst I came close but felt insecure and unsure on the high top out moves. Big balls required!

We then headed to the virgin group of boulders. Having a go at the traverse on the Ed's dyno boulder at V5/Fb 6c+ (See top photo of Laurie) and the V4/Fb 6b crack problem on the Virgin boulder. Mario then bailed, whilst Martin and I did the nice V4/Fb 6b problem on the wall boulder before calling it a day.

A quality winter grit day had by all!