Sunday August 21st
For once the wind was forecast to drop somewhat, in an effort to avoid traffic and crowds in Borrowdale and the likeliehood of an over-populated Peak, opted for a visit to the secluded valley of Swindale to try out conditions at;
Gouther Crag
Bit of a mix up locating the old sneaky parking spot, turns out that it's all been upgraded. Crowbarred the TT in but looks like it's all verboten, parking up the valley now a must from now on.
Ferns really high
Ground sopping wet
Not a good sign
Truss Buttress similarly green, so wandered over to the Kennel Wall Area. Much better conditions over there.
BP moves up Kennel Wall with minimum fuss
Opted for a sporting finish moving right onto the pleasant headwall above the wide leaning crack.
NB on the same line in 2007
Climbers on the Fang provided some entertainment over lunch.
She really got her teeth into it.....
Seeing as it was occupied wandered back to the LH buttress
Scabby Horse is a good deal more appetising than it looks
AT ready to deploy height and reach to latch the key hold at the hard bit.
Great gear so long as you don't kick it out
⇅
From a while back - unknown climber makes a similar reach
BP ventures onto an untried route
Better than it looks, clean rough rock and enough gear potential
Time for an old favourite
Although it turned out to be desperately out of condition
More like VS4b in current state
AT reaches the good holds after some pretty tenuous moves up the greasy crack line
All the way from 1966