The MOB

Pavey Ark

Had a fantastic day out yesterday and the weather was kind to us. I tried to explain to Will that you have to look at the forecast and then listen to what it says, if it says showery at Burbage then it likely will rain!

We started off up the path next to Stickle Ghyll and forked off right to scramble up the ridge grade 2. A good warm up to climbing and very grippy rock. We then tracked round to the bottom of Pavey Ark and found the start of Crescent Climb. Memories of the last time I had climbed this came flooding back. It was many years ago not long after I had started and Ian dragged (literally in places) me up it in the rain. This was the place where I left a nut behind - the first and last time as we had to stop and buy a new one on the way home, I didn't realise until then how much they cost! Plus I was having such a nightmare getting up a greasy slimy pitch I really didn't care. This time it was much better, not sure how much was the better weather or how much was 10 years experience! On the first pitch the gulley itself is quite dirty but the rock on the rib to its right was fantastic and nice easy climbing although quite exposed. Pitch 2 is the traverse and a little more tricky but plenty of gear and good holds. Though it's better to stay low and not try and crawl along the ledge! The last pitch which takes you up to Jakes Rake is more of a scramble.

After a butty and a brew we were eyeing up Gwynnes Chimney and I decided I would have a go at leading it, figuring it's only a diff so how hard can it be! And I have said I want to do more leading especially on easy multi pitch routes. Technically hard it may not be, and I would definitely not like to try it in the wet, but after some strange contortions and a lot of huffing and puffing I managed to make my way up it, then missed the belay and carried on linking the first 2 pitches together until I found a reassuringly large spike to belay from. Ian then huffed and puffed his way up making me feel like I'd not done too bad a job leading it. The rest is scrambling so we just ran the rope out to the top and sat in the sunshine waiting for the others.

Colin and Colin weren't too far behind but then we seemed to be waiting a long time for Will and Jordan. Will had made it to the belay as the 2nd Colin was setting off so we were wondering what had happened. We were getting a little concerned so Colin M and myself climbed back down the grassy gulley to look over the edge to see if we could see the boys. We found them just below and Colin shouted 'Thank god you're not dead' they were more than a little surprised that we would even think that! Will had struggled getting up the crux with his sack on so left it behind and Jordan decided it would be better to climb with 2 sacks than drop the rope down to retrieve it!! so it took a little longer.

We took the path down and then went for a pint in the Old Dungeon Ghyll. A great day was had by all. Thanks lads.