Clambering

As usual I've not written much on here for a while. Climbing, work and plain old life have gotten in the way. Below are some photos of some recent highlights.

A late August trip to the Southwest with Duncan. We climbed Pat Littlejohn's outstanding route Dreadnought at Berryhead one of my best climbing experiences of 2014. 

Duncan mid crux on Dreadnought. Seconding I managed this bit fine, but got pumped and scared in the cramped, sandy final traverse so pulled on a peg. 

Me - about to get involved with pitch two.

Questing upwards before making improbable moves to gain a horizontal letter box. More tenuous climbing followed before I reached the huge thread belay. 

The next day we climbed Malbogies in the Avon Gorge. A total sandbag at HVS. 

The next weekend - rather unpredictably - we found ourselves at Gogarth. We headed down to Red Walls for some chossaineering. I hadn't climbed on Red Walls since a harrowing ascent of Red Wall in 2009.  This time Duncan and I climbed Wendigo, which felt more straightforward.

Duncan and I halfway up Wendigo. We climbed the route in two long pitches, belaying at the the Blue Rembered Hill stance, which worked well. The rest of the day was a comedy of backing off, with attempt at T-Rex and the Trap, before an ascent of Britomartis as the sun set. 

In September Nikki and I went on a family holiday to the Calanques in the South of France. With perfect limestone by the sea it was impossible not to have a good time. 

Dad and Nic climbing the Petit Aiguille on the first day.

It rained on the second day so Nikki and cycled 21km and 1500m vertical up Mount Ventoux, one of the most famous hill stages of the Tour du France. Here I reach the top after having been unceremoniously dropped by my wife for the last 5km. 

Nikki at the top.

The G Unit - both well into their eighties and still loving life. Inspiring. 

More climbing. Dad on le Pouce Intergral.

Dad cranking on Super Sirène, a brilliant 6b first climbed by Gaston Rebuffat back in 1941.

Nikki getting to the top of the Saphir. Another brilliant climb.

Autumn equals Gritstone season. Me leading Kayak at Curbar.  I seconded this last year and couldn't imagine leading it. 

Duncan reaching the top of Bird's Nest Crack at Almscliff. Flo's second ever trad climb. 

Me at the Top of Great Western - with a view like this you can see why they call it t'best crag in t'world. 

Duncan seconding Great Western as the sunset.