After the usual speculation on the weather the Peaks meet triumphed a grand turn out and on Friday evening, a small campsite was taken over by MMC’ers; though the MG club was putting up some good competition.

The campsite turned out to be effectively a pub garden so not surprisingly a merry throng of MMC were to be found indulging in sharpeners before attending to tent pitching.

Saturday

At 6am some were blessed by the natural alarm of what sounded like someone fiddling with their MSR, someone who couldn’t work out how to use it but it turned out to be a hot air balloon flying over.

Early Saturday morning arrivals were Paul, Delphine, Cathryn, Daniel and Kate who found the rest of the group in the usual MMC faff moment, finalising climbing locations and activities for the day.

Rob M, Cath B, Aga, Rachel, AG and many more climbed at Horseshoe Quarry. Everyone started off at Enterprise Wall. Cath B excellently lead 6a’s (Gargle Blaster and Vogon). Rob M encouraged by Cath’s success attempted Schools Out (6b) but ‘Rope Gun’ AG was called in to finish the route. Despite the early threat of rain (with the attendant cry of “does anyone fancy grit this afternoon then?”) it turned out sunny all day and the group remained spreading out across the remainder of the quarry in the afternoon.

Nick and Steve eschewed the no doubt myriad delights of stumpy clip-up routes in a scruffy old quarry and went to High Tor. This is probably the most impressive limestone crag in the whole of the Peak District (according to Nick) and they climbed Lamplight, Limelight and Highlight – all 2 pitch HVS routes.

Chuck and Wendy climbed at Bamford doing 3 VS’s and a HVS. The HVS started as an E1, running out of places for feet and hands completely, and, after a foot slip on the 7th attempt finally turned into a HVS when the guide book recommended escape route was followed.

Newcomers to the club Greg, Helga and Karen headed to Curbar Edge which turned out to be an excellent choice, although spitting with rain slightly it soon cleared and by the time they were all geared up it was fine and dry. Without a guidebook (definitely joined the right club) Greg hazarded a guess at a suitable line and was rewarded with some pleasurable climbing which the girls seconded. His next choice was not so straight forward and not the best choice for all (read Karen choked). Helga proved natural ability and Greg that he was a sound teacher and manager. They finished off with a “classic off-width jamming crack” which tested them all and hence forth shall be known as “Germain’s Progress”, which gave them all a stern test of will and character.

Paul, Delphine, Cathryn, Daniel, Kate and Jane all hired bikes and cycled along the Tissington Trail (disused railway). Starting off with a triangular route in mind, which covered the majority of the trail, some in the group then decided that was not a great enough challenge and added in all other sections of the trail. The feat of covering all this was rewarded by several cake and ice cream stops.

Jules and Stefan arrived 5:30pm and went straight to Horseshoe quarry where Jules lead Uranus F3 and Klingon F4 in the star wars area with Stefan seconding.

The weather and location allowed a variety of BBQ cooking and pub grub with the whole group ending in the bar telling the days tales.

Sunday

The two Matt’s headed for Harborough, set in the beautiful Peaks countryside and only slightly marred by the large constantly humming, aggregate plant plonked right next to it. Matt Fennelow led a couple of HS’s before encouraging Matt Freak to do his first outdoor lead, which was apparently only mildly scary and great fun. The two finished off with a couple of rather short routes.

Jules and Stefan climbed at the Mort Wall area on Sentinel Butress with Jules climbing Chocked Crack (Diff) and Stefan lead Choked Chimney (V Diff) and Stranglers Crack (V Diff).

Rob M, Cath B, Michael, Chuck and Wendy climbed at Froggat with Rob leading several routes including Gamma (S) which Cath and Michael seconded. Wendy and Chuck did Green Gut (HS) and Pedestal Crack (HVS). Cath then lead Heather Wall with Wendy whilst Chuck (leading) and Rob M climbed Tody’s Wall and Sunset Slab (both HVS).

Steve and Nick, also at Froggat, climbed: Diamond Crack (VS), Sunset Slab (HVS) – also seconded by Michael in big boots, Tody’s Wall (HVS), Green Gut (HS), Trapeze Direct (VS) and Pedestal Crack HVS.

Jiri, Simon, Paul and Delphine climbed at Chatsworth. Paul led one Diff and then he and Delpine “flapped around” (Paul’s words) on a few routes with a top rope, courtesy of Jiri and Simon, neither of which they managed and decided to head off early to watch the football.

Whilst a few lingered with beers watching the England game, most members made a quick exit home whilst the roads were clear.

Jane Buxton