As forecast the day dawned bright and with a big wind. Peak Edges definitely out, considered Corby's but in the end kept going to:-
Kyloe
(Collar Heugh)
Hoping that the trees and natural lie of the land would limit the buffeting. In good company with a group from a school in Ponteland.
CB gets suited up for an excursion up Gagarin's Groove (HVS 5a) on Space Buttress
The bulge was turned on the right
(left much easier but CB will have his way)
The crack takes two bombroof medium wires
CB gets them in
The groove is off vertical but
positive edges lead up to a juggy finish with another bombroof big wire going in.
I've eyed this route for 15 years it's great to get it done
Brilliant
Gagarin done
Up for a Spacewalk
CB gets a good sling on spike, but there is nothing after this
Turn on the anti-gravity and float out left
Then step round onto the front face
Awesome
AT follows after a fashion
(should have called him
Laika )
This route followed by retro grade onto Wilfred Prickles at a mere HVS 5a
Managed to get up that one
Although arm power now on the red line
Photo © JDal UKC with thanks
Back on the lead
The wind was really wild here on Flake Crack
(S 4b)
Very difficult to commit to crux moves with a hooly in the head
Got there eventually with some subtle encouragement from CB
The effort drained whatever was left in the tank
Three more favourites still to do!
CB Slab and Wall VS4c, direct no moves left
AT struggles to follow up with cramping hands
Fired the retro grade and found some flow on Mo at S4a
Then....
Deception Crack HS 4b **
One last Hurrah!
Deceptively good footwork
AT recovers some reserves and form to follow no drama
All the right routes
Not necessarily in the right order
All grades as per UKC
(Wilfred Prickles up from VS! holds snapping off)
