View Full Version : Climbing in the Peak District
Squidders
08-10-2004, 22:20
I'm probably going to be in the Peak District for the weekend of the 13th of November.
If anyone here climbes or fancies having a go, I'll be bouldering for the weekend and maybe a few short routes.
So if anyone would like to meet up there or be picked up on route for a weekend / day of pain and trashed finger tips let me know :-)
tenbears10
08-10-2004, 22:34
Where are you planning to be in the Peaks Joe? I'm not a million miles away but have to check what I'm doing that weekend.
Bill
When you say, fancy having a go, how inexperienced can people be?
:?:
Squidders
08-10-2004, 22:44
tenbears10: Probably burbage north, burbage south, stanage plantation and curbar... I'll be camping at the site just below stanage edge, it's quite nice there... just down the road from hathersage.
Kim: Well, at each of the areas I'm going to there are very easy problems (V0 - a ladder) and very hard ones (V13 - a sheet of glass covered in marmite)... I don't know if I'll be taking my rope and gear for leading yet but i'll be bouldering for sure (Short routes that do not require any gear or safety equipment other than a bouldering mat and a spotter). There will be problems you can do :o)
Bouldering is loads of fun in groups because you can egg each other on and in November, standing around belaying in the cold can turn you into a popsickle :yikes:
It's also very rewarding and addictive!
Glass...marmite...there's so much about climbing I don't know!!!
:shock:
:wink:
Squidders
08-10-2004, 22:55
Kim, I wouldn't worry about "knowledge"... there are problems I see people doing and I think "how the :***: are they doing that?!?". The main thing needed is enthusiasm and bloodymindedness :wink:
Oh, I have them, in quite large quantities!!!! Chances are though I may be working :cry:
:o): :o): :o):
Squidders
08-10-2004, 23:01
Well if you fancy it... come along... it's serious down jacket time of year though up there. Fortunately the outside shop in hathersage do rather fine bacon butties :wink:
tenbears10
08-10-2004, 23:05
I know Stanage Edge but it's a long time since I was last there. I will see what I'm up to and pm you for more details if that's ok.
Bill
Squidders
08-10-2004, 23:08
No worries Bill :-)
As a side note, If the weather looks variable that weekend, I may pop up for the day on the Sunday so could collect people on the way through up the M1.
shaggystu
09-10-2004, 14:25
well as i live practically in the peak district it'd be pretty rude of me not to join you for a bit of bouldering, i'll pm you a bit closer to the date.
stuart.
.... Probably burbage north, burbage south, stanage plantation and curbar...
All four places in a weekend :yikes: There will indeed be much "pain and trashed finger tips". Don't forget the superglue. :-)
A mass bouldering session in Burbage valley could be fun. A nice place, full range of grades and quick easy access. Did I say its a nice place. :-)
Squidders
09-10-2004, 22:25
Jon: well, apart from plantation, they all have nice short walk-ins and there are some problems I want to have a go at in each area... and one route in Curbar I think I may have a go at soloing... are you a climberator?
Shaggystu: Sounds good... the more the merrier :-)
[QUOTE=Squidders]Jon: well, apart from plantation, they all have nice short walk-ins and there are some problems I want to have a go at in each area... and one route in Curbar I think I may have a go at soloing... are you a climberator?[QUOTE]
it has been known for me to indulge in such frivolities. :roll: There used to be callouses on my fingertips but not for a while now. Climbing is much harder than it used to be, I think that gravity is stronger nowadays, it has nothing to do with me weighing more than I used to or having punny arms. :?:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v106/landymartin/a0b03bce.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v106/landymartin/thegap.jpg
I was up on the Curbar Edge hiking last winter. Beautiful part of the country, only about an hour from me. If I'm free that weekend I'll have a ride over to see you all. Might even have a go at bouldering if someone gives me a bunk up and fits a safety net :nana: :rolmao:
Squidders
10-10-2004, 01:20
Thanks for tormenting me Martin :nana:
Seeing photos only makes me want to be there!
If the weather is good and you can make it, I can guarantee an entertaining day :wink: aparently I fall off really well.
I'm away all of November but if you're going again next year I'll be interested.
Hi Squidders - never been climbing or bouldering before, and the only rope work I've done was climbing up one (badly) in my school gym years ago ... but the Peaks is my local playground, and this sounds like fun!
So if you don't mind being 'handicapped', then I wouldn't mind joining you - assuming I'm free that w'end. Let me know what you think about having a novice along (and be honest! Don't want to burden yer weekend mate!), and I'll pencil it in my diary for now. Got to get my head round this scrambling/bouldering/rope-working lark anyway, as I've got my sights set on a ML qualification some time over the next 18 months or so.
PS: would I need my own rope? Guess this ain't the kind of thing you can trust to nettle cordage ... ?
Cheers,
G (aka Paul)
:-)
Stanage = nasty place alway blows a gale and lashes it down when I've been there, even in summer.
Froggatt is the place for me great autumn sun trap with pretty birch woods below.
Squidders
12-10-2004, 22:45
EdS: Stanage is LOVELY!!! :nana:
http://www.lightningstorm.co.uk/stanage.jpg
Ginja: Well, I certainly don't mind having you along... There's no such thing as a handicap... other than losing toes to frost bite that is and I doubt that'll happen.
As for the rest, bouldering will help with the climbing aspect of your ML course. I think they like you to lead at VS or HVS level for that. I will be taking a single rope up which is good for top rope climbing (I wouldn't advise leading for a novice). I'll be taking some gear for setting belays up and I think I have a spare harness somewhere.
As for shoes, if you're doing the ML course anyway, I would say to buy a pair (from about £45 to £75) or if you don't fancy that outlay before you know how much skin you lose you can climb in stiff boots such as good walking boots or army boots.
If you're coming, I'll probably drag you to Burbage North as it's a little shorter than stanage edge and easier to get your head around for the first time, also the number of routes at stanage that you'd be able to climb can get tied up by top ropes and it's not fair on any other climbers.
Anyway... I'll keep a close eye on the weather closer to the time and if all goes well it should be a top day :biggthump
Green with envy guys, I love climbing, but due to other things have not been able to get any done in nearly a year. Have a good time :wave:
Squidders
12-10-2004, 23:12
Living where you are, with lovely coastline and less than an hour to dartmoor, how can you be green with envy?!?
That's just insane!!! :nana:
Squidders
12-10-2004, 23:13
Living where you are, with lovely coastline and less than an hour to dartmoor, how can you be green with envy?!?
That's just insane!!! :nana:
and besides, it's a bit of a trek for you but why can't you come along?
and besides, it's a bit of a trek for you but why can't you come along?
Firstly, I don't drive (something I am trying to rectify).
Secondly, I am currently working between 5 and 6 nights a week (leaves me a little knackered and not sure of day, week or month half the time).
Last, but not least, my place of work is moving to China and leaving the rest of us mere mortals behind, but I am on a short list for help and as a result could end up in China for a month with a couple of days notice.
As I say I would love to get out and about, but I have a little holiday left (I get 3 weeks total a year) and that will get used around Christmas time. :-)
Thanks for asking though, it is appreciated :biggthump
I'll keep a close eye on the weather closer to the time and if all goes well it should be a top day
Nice one Squidders, looking forward to it! Don't have any climbing shoes, but I do have a sturdy pair of walking boots (Scarpa SLs) which might be up to it - well, they'll have to be!! Will probably pack a pair of trainers as well, just in case ... but if you can give me some pointers, or recommend a good, cheap brand that'd be useful.
I'll PM ya nearer the time ... and fingers crossed on the weather!
G :-)
Squidders,
You see those darkening clouds in the photo - there only there waiting for me to pluck up the courage to venture on to Stanage again.
Next time I visit its going to be in the Landy for a spot of driving! Mind you even that wont stop the rain.
Squidders
13-10-2004, 13:13
EdS the trick is to never try and visit Stanage when the weather is ok... never go on a nice warm day. Stanage is best when it's freezing cold and blowing a gale... that way, you're not going to get rained on... maybe a little snow, but no rain :nana:
As for the rest, bouldering will help with the climbing aspect of your ML course. I think they like you to lead at VS or HVS level for that.
Squiders,
The organisation of the leadership qualifications is a bit tricky to get your head round.
Mountain Leader. (ML)
Qualifies you to take groups out walking in the mountains. So there is lots and lots of navigation. There is camping, mountain weather, access etc. And then there is more navigation. :roll:
The Mountain Leader course has NO CLIMBING OR SCRAMBLING. That comes in a subsequent qualification.
I hope that helps.
Jon
Squidders
13-10-2004, 23:51
Jon,
I must have been thinking about the SPA... single pitch award... I thought that was a facet of the mountain leaders course but to be honest, I don't really care :wink:
Seems a bit daft, I admit, having a "mountain leaders" qualification where anyone with it caught on an actual mountain would probably fall to their doom :?:
I climb at about E6 and don't really want an organizations approval as to my ability to climb VS safely as climbing in the E grades is inherently dangerous anyway :o):
Cheers for the correction though, it's nice having people around with more than my vague information :You_Rock_
Just read through my last post, sorry if it came over as a bit snotty.
Squidders
14-10-2004, 19:21
Jon, not at all... If i'm wrong and you're right, by all means correct me :wink:
I don't subscribe to all this PC nonsense as it just stifles peoples ability to express themselves and argue a given point effectively.
Here on the bushcraftuk forums I think that everyone has good motives and I take everything in that manner, it's a rare thing that such a diverse group has such mutual respect and tollerance without being forced to.
...that is apart from tomtom who thrashed me at mini golf and must be beaten severely at the first opportunity :o):
Its interesting isn't it. Someone made a similar comment over on British Blades forum, and people were trying to work out why is it that we are so polite and civil to each other here. On other forums being rude and objectionable seems to be expected.
So in a vain attempt to make myself seem cool and trendy, all I can say to you is :nana:
Jon.
tenbears10
14-10-2004, 22:27
We are going a bit off the thread but I was amazed the first and only time I went on Jamie Olivers forum. In one thread within about 4 posts there was all out slagging. New people joined in and told others to get off their forum. I couldn't believe it after BCUK. I've hardly seen an arguement on here and it is a better place for it.
Bill
...that is apart from tomtom who thrashed me at mini golf and must be beaten severely at the first opportunity :o):
:sword: :twak: Bring it on :o):
Squidders
13-11-2004, 13:52
A friend of mine just spent the morning driving up, only to find that most of the routes and boulder problems have a bog directly below them.
It's a shame that the weather is so good as I'd rather be out there climbing but given the ground conditions I'm not going to be going up there this weekend :cry:
I hate this country at times!
hobbitboy
13-11-2004, 19:05
My mates spent the entire day at Burbage South bouldering, apparently it was fantastic, whereas I choose to go for a walk at Castleton. I think I made the wrong decision..... :?:
tenbears10
13-11-2004, 19:32
That's a shame Joe it would have been good to meet up but I have loads of decorating to do tomorrow anyway so probably for the best.
Bill
Squidders
13-11-2004, 21:51
hobbitboy: was it a little slippery?
tenbears10: aye... maybe it was not to be :cry: I'm hoping for a few good weekends before Christmas. I need to get out climbing more.
bambodoggy
25-11-2004, 13:54
Hey Guys, hope you don't mind if I put my bit in.....
Jon's right about the ML not including any climbing...I've only done the training and not the assesment coz (too be honest) I got bored with it.
I am an SPSA (single pitch supervisors award) assesed climber and you do have to climb at a certain level for that (I think about HVS) but the award isn't really about how well you climb...I only lead (or used to lead, haven't climbed for about 4 years due to leg injury) at about E2. The award is mainly about good rope work, group safety, belay set ups, rope care, rescue technques and stuff like that...It's one of those things that you don't realise how usefull it is unless you've done it....for example: in "Touching the Void" when the climber cuts the rope and let Joe fall...an SPSA might have had the skills and knowledge to pop a prussik onto the bottom rope before cutting, thus enabling him to pass the knot through the stitch plate and carry on the decent....daft example but it could be a lifesaver.
There are always heaps of people on the crags that climb way head of anything I'll ever lead but I often watch the way they use their gear and think "How the heck would they get out of that if X or Y happened".
Squidders, as you're a southern based chap like myself, have you been down to Harrison rocks near East Grinstead? It's all sandstone so like a softer version of stanage (did my spsa training there, stanage I mean). There's quite a few routes but also some very good boldering to be done and it's within a day trip for you easy!