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Monday, 21 August 2017

Desperately Seeping Swindale

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

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