An appropriate sendoff for mark Winfield, complete with a little rain, a little sun, a bit of rock, and the odd brew or two.

Friday night:

‘holy shmoley that’s a lot of traffic!’
‘what are you drinking?’
‘which way do we turn?’
‘where’s the campsite?’
‘it should be around here (pointing at map). Turn around, and on the right side after the bend to the right.’
‘that’s the ****ing sign!?!?!? No wonder why we couldn’t find the ****ing place!!!’

Saturday morning:

‘YIKES that’s a cold shower!!!’

Saturday:

Neville set off up Technical Route (HS 4a) in the Roaches Upper Tier, armed with a good selection of cams to place in the few horizontal breaks available. However, on reaching the first break, he discovered that not one of his cams would actually cam after their exposure to too much rain on their last outing. Carrying them as dead weight, he made it to the top with just two nut placements. Catherine and Petra followed up, and Maja made a valliant effort at the first half of the climb too. Catherine lead Right Route (VDiff), seconded by Petra . After much persuasion, Maja was cajouled into giving it a go too. Despite sending phrases such as "Bl**dy Hell" echoing round the crag for most of the route, she triumphed and made it to the top. A sudden downpour of rain sent people scurrying under trees for an enforced lunch break. Once the rain passed and the rock was looking like it had dried off enough to continue, Neville decided to tackle West's Wallaby (VS 4c). This was a traumatic experience with Neville wedging himself in the gap between the boulder and the wall half way up until he was psyched enough to dash across the traverse as quickly as possible. Nick later lead the same route and was forced to untie one of his ropes after accumulating a vast amount of rope drag. Another two highlights of the day were Beatriz and Debbie leading their first routes (an unnamed Diff in the Wombat area).

Saturday night:

‘what are you drinking?’
‘hello little dog! Grrrr!!! Grrrr!!!’
‘yes, I would love some wine, thank you very much.’
‘yes, I would love a slice of chocolate cake. Thank you very much!’

Sunday:

It was decided to focus attentions on the Skyline area of the Roaches on the second day. Neville lead Tobacco Road (VS) with the 5b start and then Condor Slab (VS 4c). Catherine and Petra followed up both. After catching sight of Paras impressively leading Safety Net (E1 5b ***) and watching Petra fly up it on a second, Neville was inspired to also conquer his first E1. At the end of a good solid day of quality climbing, everyone headed to the Roaches Tea Shop and finally left for London as well fed as the midges they left behind (only with scones rather than blood).

Michael Cartine