Friday Evening: Arrival and Settling In
The club members gathered at the cosy DPC hut in Stoney Middleton on Friday evening, where the atmosphere was warm and inviting. After firing up the wood stove, the group settled in and discussed the plans for the weekend. The anticipation of the upcoming outdoor adventures was high as everyone prepared for a weekend of climbing and walking in the beautiful Peak District.
Saturday: Climbing at Stanage Popular
On Saturday, the majority of climbers headed to Stanage Popular for a relaxed day of cragging. The sunshine provided some much-needed warmth as the group tackled various routes, enjoying the great conditions. Oli and Damien climbed notable routes, including Lancashire Wall (HS) and Straight and Narrow (HVS). Meanwhile, Andrew R led Cakestand (S), with Katherine seconding, before she later led Physiology (VD). Mo, Mira, and Marguerite climbed as a trio, sharing the challenges and rewards of the day, while David and Chuck arrived mid-morning to join in on the fun.
Saturday: A Scenic Walk at Froggatt Edge. On the walking front, Sarah W, Emily (prospective), and Sarah G (prospective) took a beautiful route from the hut up to Froggatt Edge. They completed a clockwise circuit, heading north and then south along White Edge, taking in the stunning views from the high moorland in the sunshine. The picturesque landscape made for an ideal setting for a relaxing, yet rewarding, day in nature.
Sunday: A Change of Scenery – Climbing at Bamford
Sunday saw a change of pace for Ben and Chris, who had a psychologically tiring day at Froggatt on Saturday. They sought out steeper, safer routes at Bamford and were able to tick several routes, including Bamford Rib and Nib’s Buttress (both HVS 5a), as well as the aptly named Reach (VS 4c) and Busy Day at Bamford (VS 5a). Their ambitious attempt at Auricle (E2 5c) didn’t go as planned, with Chris falling off the crux move. Despite this, they safely down-climbed back to solid ground and wrapped up their day before the long drive home.
Sunday: A Scenic Walk from Tideswell Dale
On the walking front, Alix, Cath, Katherine, and Sarah W spent their Sunday exploring a picturesque route from Tideswell Dale, heading south to Miller’s Dale. They passed the impressive old Litton Mill and continued eastward, before heading north through the woods of Cressbrook Dale. From there, they made their way northwest across walled fields toward Litton. They completed the loop by heading south on the road back to the parking spot, enjoying the peaceful countryside and scenic landscapes along the way.
Bamford: A Bumpy Start with a Sweet Finish
At Bamford, it was an ominous start for Damien and Oli, who struggled on their supposed warm-up route, Samson’s Delight (VS). The duo quickly found themselves flash-pumped and had to resort to aiding up the first 8 meters of the route. However, things took a positive turn when they moved on to the much more pleasant Reach (VS), where they were joined by David. The trio successfully added two Severes to their ticklist, and after their climbing, they made their way to Hathersage for a well-earned break, enjoying coffee, cake, and some time spent with the Shetland Ponies.
Conclusion
The weekend was a perfect balance of climbing and walking, with something for everyone. Climbers like Oli, Damien, Andrew, and Katherine made the most of the crags, ticking off various routes at Stanage and Bamford, while Ben and Chris found satisfaction in conquering some steeper, safer climbs after a mentally tiring Saturday. Sarah W, Emily, and Sarah G enjoyed a scenic walk at Froggatt Edge, while Alix, Cath, Katherine, and Sarah W had a delightful day in the hills around Tideswell Dale. Whether it was scaling the crags or exploring the stunning countryside, the weekend proved to be an unforgettable adventure.
Compiled by Chat GPT 😆 with contributions from Oli B, Sarah W, Chris L & Katherine T