Castle Rock Relay

 Sunday May 19th

Some flux in the plan for the weekend, BP back and keen for a session, so Saturday set aside for a NYM trip.  Gammy knee (BP) ruled this out - baton duly picked up by CB and the race switched to Sunday out west, turned out to be a bit of a bonus given that all the decent weather now the other side of the Pennines.  Good that CB's turn to drive as AT's second day in a row in the Lakes, Saturday walking with MT so made most of the sunshine weekend on offer out there.

So as is often the case the award for the premier crag of choice for the first Lakes trip of the season goes to;

Castle Rock of Triermain  

On a mission to get some mileage done

Emerging from the eastern clag into the glorious Eden Valley

The way across the aqueduct has been renovated to good effect, the step over the rickety fence was getting dangerous.

A couple of parties passed us on the walk in at 10.10, looked like the crag would be over run.

Two teams in action even on arrival at 10.15, taking advantage of some shade.  On Direct Route (left) and Kleine Rinne

Another couple headed round the dark side, intrepid!

CB's turn to lead today, Via Media was nearest so he was off at the races

High on the run out finish on the right, about to enter the light.

Meanwhile an unknown climber executes a tidy start on Direct Route.  AT takes note for later.

By now there must be 5 teams on the South Crag.  CB suggests Gangway Climb seeing as it was free.  AT jumps at the chance to get one in before lunch and the afternoon starts to cook up.

Already very warm up on top though

Todays winners of best dressed climbing team

Direct Route up next

Great climbing up the steep wall and crack

CB's lead, AT no drama second.

Belays aren't exactly easy to find especially when some are already occupied.  AT set this one up on the first flat grass ledge above Gangway Climb.  A small spike next to a brown patch combined with an orange metolius in a little crack about a metre up and right.

Detail for future reference.  There was nothing else there.

In a switch from the usual order of things, the afternoon session moved up to the RH side.  For a change AT led Companion Way at Mild Severe (green line).  CB invented a mirror image with a new combo.  Wall Climb start and a finish of Slab climb up the crozzly wall left of the usual corner.

Both very interesting with adequate protection.

CB makes the finishing moves up the wall right of the usual corner.

Seem to recall it being attempted by someone we know?

Now really baking so called it a draw at 15.15

All other teams long since de-camped!  Just us left.  

Todays routes

L-R

Via Media, Direct Route, Gangway Climb, (yellow)

Companion Way (blue)

CB Wall Slab combo.

Climber on North Crag just visible centre left.

16.15

All is well.

Mission accomplished