The Peak District - Climbing & Dining

By Tuesday morning, we were re-packed and ready for a road trip! We set off first thing in the direction of the Peak District and after several set backs, eventually found both good rock and good routes in Cheedale. At Ravensdale, we discovered a voluntary bird ban, so re-located to Aldly Cliff, where we found the fixed anchors were being replaced (and therefore, currently removed). Then it started raining and our hopes for climbing seemed to be running out. As we walked into Chee Dale to 'have a look', the skies suddenly cleared and we were rewarded for our persistence!

It was steep bolted limestone. Did a couple of great routes, but boy did we get pumped! Really not used to climbing the steep stuff these days!

 

We walked away buzzing, but nursing our forearms, enjoyed the heat as the evening cleared.

 

Nearby in Priestcliffe, some of the family were assembled to celebrate a 50th Wedding Anniversary and a birthday, so soon enough we were washed, changed and sipping prosecco with the Colchester Crew et al.

 

Next day saw us all up at Birchen's Edge for some bouldering on the 'Three Ships' with my little cousins as well as a good bit of weaselling in and out of the base of the crags. At 310m the summit might be a little smaller than of recent weeks, but the views were crystal clear and far reaching.

 

We soon had the map out, identifying distant features from our vantage point, while mother and I reminisced about one of our earlier climbing forays here, some twenty or so years ago! I was unanimously agreed that we hadn't aged a bit.

 

We left the family team after a big lunch back at the Farmhouse, and set off south, calling into Curbar Edge to sample a quick bit of gritstone climbing. It's such a different beast! In the blistering heat of the late afternoon, we got ourselves up two classic routes, before continuing the road trip. 

 

By evening we were just short of Birmingham, where Clare had found us the perfect stop-off. A new hotel, by the canal. Beers by the waterside, followed refreshing showers. Between an al fresco dinner and desert, we enjoyed a short walk to digest; it was hard to believe we were a few minutes from a motorway and major industrial estate!

The Following morning we breakfasted alone in the sunshine by the waters edge then continued down to the south coast. 

 

At Portsmouth Harbour we had an hour or so to look around the impressive harbour area, before we had to go our separate ways. 

 

Clare on a ferry to the Isle of Wight and me on a train into London...

Peak District Climbs:
Chee Dale (Limestone)
- Windows 95, 6a*
- (Route to Right) 6b*

Curbar Edge (Gritstone)
- P.M.S 1 HS (4b)***
- Avalanche Wall HVS (5a)**