Igneous Ignimbrite Cragging

Shock horror - Awoke to find a few clouds in the sky today! Some high cirrus were forming as we had our early breakfast and by mid-morning there was actually a decent amount covering our usual blue vista. Today though, with our plans to climb, we were actually greatful, as it would provide some welcome shade.

Even though there wasn't any direct sunshine, it was still plenty warm enough at the crag of Froggatt Edge. Perfect climbing temperatures and a crazy kind of igneous rock called Ignimbrite, which was seemingly made for rock climbing. You could hardly design a better rock for positive holds and copious friction. We got straight on the most classic route in the valley called 'Terror Incognito' and it certainly lived up to its reputation. After a vertical section climbing on little pocketed holds, it suddenly becomes wildly overhanging, but just as things start I get desperate, another good hand hold always turns up! Lovely stuff!

We both arrived at the top panting, grinning and with our forearms burning! Because the climb was so overhanging, we got to do an exciting abseil back to the ground as the ropes were free hanging in space!

The morning passed with more splendid routes but our arm strength was rapidly dwindling. Yesterday's surf session, followed by an early start was obviously beginning to take its toll! By mid-afternoon, the clouds gave up and the scorching heat returned, heralding the end of any further climbing. Given that our arms (and most of our bodies actually) were feeling particularly fatigued, it was probably a blessing in disguise!

An ice lolly provided enough energy to take on the drive home, where we were greeted by our wonderful neighbours with plates full of food and a cold beer on their shady garden terrace.

We are reading 'The unexpected pilgrimage of Harold Fry' by Rachel Joyce together. Reading out loud to each other is a really nice way to 'zone out' yet still be sharing the same experience, so we took in a few chapters after the impromptu social next door. It's a funny read... 

Later this evening, we started to clean and pack our gear. The surfboard has been delicately wrapped and the dust cleaned from our ropes. Tomorrow is our last day in the Norh Island! Boy how time flies...