South West Climbing News
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Slabmeister Action at LQP 6 January 2017
Skilled slabeteer Ian Cooper (of Quarryman repeat fame and reputedly 'the Alex Barrows of punter climbing") has climbed the line twixt Up the Styx and Shadow Beast down at Devon's premier sport climbing slab in Long Quarry Point. Here's the desription from Ian:
"Shadow Puppet: The line of bolts up the slab between Up The Styx and Shadowbeast. Where it steepens, make fearsome moves up and then right to a bolt below the big resting foothold of Shadowstyx. Mantel this as inelegantly as possible, and finish up Shadowbeast. (Top out onto the ledge above the anchor if you can be arsed - the FA did, but he is that way inclined). I'd definitely give it 3*! And probably 8a+, at least until someone finds a better sequence...."
Apparently, the infamous internet star Neter Col (famed for his forthright, sweary opinions on the world wide web ) can vouch for the novelty value of the mantelshelf...
Ian mentioned that the first bolt may be a little suspect so it would be prudent to stick clip the second (or avoid falling off the start).
Good skillz Ian - back of the net!
Dr Perry in Awful (But Hard) Chudleigh Link Up/Eliminate Shocker 18 April 2016
After his recent success on the highly impressive Question Mark (see next bit of news down the page) Alexis has, in a bid to cut transport costs and lessen his impact on the A30 road surface, focussed his microscope on... wait for it.....
....Chudleigh! But surely this crag is worked out by now I can sense you thinking. Well, all it takes is a bit of vision, a new skool approach to the definition of what is a new route, a very patient belayer (good work Mandy!) and some considerable ability. The area of rock in question is Ossuary / Into the Groove and Alexis's new 'line' climbs Ossuary to where the original moved up to an OK edge; Alexis instead hangs a left and pops over into Into the Groove. Despite it appearing to be a relatively pointless eliminate the point is that it's really hard - Alexis has proposed a grade of E8 7a and couldn't manage to link the problem on a top rope before the lead. Needless to say things went alright on the sharp end - good job too as I'm not convinced by the small gear in the soft calcite. This is Chudleigh's hardest route to date and has been named 'Tossuary" to reflect the light hearted nature of the line.
Here's a little video of Alexis in action:
Dr Perry in ? ! Shocker! 24 March 2016
West Cornwall devotee Alexis Perry has been driving to and from West Cornwall a lot over recent years, not only repeating hard Edwards' routes but also leaving a few marks of his own. His most recent successes come with an ascent of Cribba Head's Skyhook-protected Question Mark E9 6c/7a and the addition of his own direct start.
The process started a few years back with an unsuccessful top rope foray, followed by another largely unsuccessful look in 2013 during the BMC International Meet. After finding another project was wet Alexis found himself back at Cribba earlier this year with good conditions and made much more promising progress on top rope, doing all of the moves and making a few links. "At this point I knew that at some point I would find myself high on that arete on lead. Quite a thought."
A few weeks later Alexis was back, ready for the lead. Well, it turned out he wasn't so went home after a bit more top roping...
... and then came back 4 days later, manned up and smoothly smoked the mo fo. Not content with this Alexis only bloody went back and added a flippin direct start! Apparently, although 'only' a V4/5 boulder problem this beefs up the route noticeably. Alexis climbed the lower arete, placed the Skyhooks and then reversed to the ground before climbing to the top in a oney. Alexis wasn't sure whether his start warranted its own name but decided to dub it Exclamation Mark (a straightened ?) and I imagine the grade must be a solid E9. Alexis plays down his ascent:
"This really isn't some sort of massively impressive achievement; I top-roped a Fr8a (which climbs like a really good board problem akin to one in my garage) until I knew I probably wasn't going to fall off it, then I lead it above a sky hook that I knew would take body weight. This is all calculation not bravery!
Mandy (Alexis's long suffering wife with ample warm clothing!) did all the belaying and tolerated/supported this whole thing. I owe her more than a few pints. She was absolutely integral to getting me up this thing."
History
The eoponymous Question Mark was first climbed in 1994 by Mark Edwards at a proposed grade of E9. At the time this was pretty much cutting edge. Ken Palmer repeated the route on 20th February 1999 after "5 top ropes" and in his ever modest/sandbagging manner reckoned it was E8. Alexis's repeat of the original was 3rd February 2016 (the logical conclusion is that February is the best month for the route!) and he thought it warranted the E9 grade.
Those of you who fancy having a go should expect hard bouldery French 8a climbing above Skyhooks. Sounds nice!
Mark on the FA, photogragh by his dad Rowland who was also belaying.
Film of Ellis Razzin' Along Brian 8 Apri 2015
(See previous news piece for the story).
Film by Tom Wright.
And here's one of original frizzmeister Kendal looking sharp making the first ascent back in the 60s. Quite clearly Ken wins on the style stakes with that lovely t-shirt.
Film by Caedmon Mullin.
Anstey's Cove Action 2 April 2015
There's been some good shizzle going down at Anstey's Cove - Ellis Butler Barker has made the long awaited second ascent of Brian.
Frizzy haired local deity Kendal Palmer first climbed this big link up back in 2003, proposing a grade of 8c. Ken is rather well known for his conservative approach to grading and 8c+ has since been mooted. Only time and more ascents will tell although it's probably a hard one to grade due to it's combination of very sequency, bouldery cruxes interspersed with shake outs - intimate knowledge of the routes on the wall seems to be essential (so far...).
Ellis's success is the culmination of working through all of the existing routes and adding a series of ever-harder link-ups into the Tuppence extension (i.e. the finish of Brian).
Good work Ellis, and of course belayers Charlotte Warner and Jamie Parffrey!
Kingsnorth Dartmoor Visit 23 March 2015
Dartmoor fan Ted Kingsnorth has been down to the janner side of the moor recently, making a quick repeat of Alex Waterhouse's new problem at Combeshead, Aurora V8, as well as Jungle V.I.P. at Burrator.
Ted also had a look at Mike Adam's very impressive addition from last year, Side Effects V10, confirming that you need the span of an albatross to stand a chance on climbing it as Mike did... unfortunately Ted does not have sufficient span (+ it's hard!) though apparently it will go from the right at a higher grade.
Jungle VIP and others from Kingy on Vimeo.
Also at Combeshead, word on the street is that some chap called 'Duma' has repeated Alex Waterhouse's other recent problem Hypothesis, confirming it as V9 or Font 7c.
The Pikey's Been Hanging Around Bonehill Again 23 March 2015
Mikey 'the pikey' Cleverdon has only gone and climbed another link-up on the Wave at Bonehill. This one joins the start of his recent addition Pe'Ahi into Floater. Although similar in concept to James Squires' Diamond District, this problem adds not only a tricky sit start but also makes the 'big' move harder as you're forced in using a different sequence.
As for the grade, it seems that Pe'Ahi is considered to be V12/8a+ and Mike reckons this new link is a little easier so has proposed 'at least' V11/8a. Oh, and it's called Nazaré after the Portuguese town famous for it's big waves.
Mike is supported by eKonomical-FLOODIT lamps, Lyon Outdoor - La Sportiva, Dewerstone Clothing and Proto-col Green Magic nutrition specialist Jenna Goddard.
Alex Waterhouse Sends Devon Sent Non Shocker 20 March 2015
Unsurprisingly, that young janner Alex Waterhouse has been at it again! Proving he has the control and finger strength to match his power, he's only gone and made a rapid repeat of Devon Sent in the Bovey Woods. This is the fourth (known) ascent, the first being made erm, sometime back around 2004 if I remember correctly. The problem went for some years before a second ascent by an on form Dave Westlake in 2011, swiftly followed by Ted Kingsnorth.
Alex's ascent was noteworthy as it was the first ground up, previous ascentionists having had a sneaky peak on a rope. Alex took a couple of sessions and some studying of previous ascent videos. So the next improvement in style will be an onsight flash...
Alex commented:
"An absolutely wonderful problem, so much fun and I think the best problem I've done in the South…
I had my first session on it a few weeks ago, and ended up falling on the last move for ~3 hours before my finger went through, and then another soon after that. I came home and watched some videos and had a think about what I was doing.
In my first session I spent most of the time moving high and left up the crimps before bumping into the left of the last vein and then trying to get to the top. If I'd had looked more carefully I would have seen the good crimp in the drainage streak! Yesterday, I took about an hour to make the ascent, crossing over off of the peanut and pinching the vein then going into the left of the last vein then bumping over to the better crimp. I actually almost did it a few attempts earlier, but I grabbed a nice crystal next to the top dish to settle myself, which promptly snapped and left me on the ground rather angry… It was probably a bit too hot to be ideal, and it was definitely a bit slippery, but still do-able with a bit of brushing.
I didn't put a rope on, so had to work out all the moves from the ground but I don't think the sharpness is really much of an issue, certainly no worse than a standard moor problem. All in all, probably one of the best climbs I've ever done and possibly (!!) the best problem in the South West"
Sick Crush Fest on Dartmoor 19 February 2015
First off, Mikey the Pikey Cleverdon succeeded on another of his long term projects by adding a sit/crouching (depending on how many mats you have!) start to Super Trouper at Saddle Tor. This bumps the grade of the problem from V9 to V11 and was swiftly repeated by marauding youth Alex Waterhouse. As seems to be his wont, Mikey climbed the problem at night with his trusty Floodit lamp.
Whilst on the subject of Saddle Tor, a quick mention must be made of the demise of the crux hold on problem 6, also featuring on The Saddle Tor traverse. Well, some chubster pulled it off! At present the problems await reclimbing... and will probably be waiting some time. Having said that, there is a new challenge for the strong youths. It's just an ongoing evolution of the hold which was orginally worse, then got better when a bit fell out, and now has become a brutal little crimp. And don't fret if The Saddle Tor Traverse was on your tick list - just take a higher line into it (as for Abba Gold) at about the same grade overall.
Over at Bonehill, tall man Tom Bunn linked a sit start to the Wave Arete into Something and Nothing to produce Neither Here Nor There at a proposed V8. I think the sit start may have been done back along by fellow lank meister Caedmon Mullin although without the big challenge of going all the way to the top.
Both Tom and Mikey are supported by local 'lifestyle clothing' company Dewerstone.
Also at Bonehill, beastly James Squire made what is probably the first repeat of The Green Room, a big link up traverse thing across the Wave, first climbed in 2007. James got a little frustrated when he fell holding a pocket on a fiddly drop down move nearish to the end of the traverse (see the video below!) but returned a few weeks later to get the tick.
New Year Boulder Projects from James Squire | Beastly Squirrel on Vimeo.
And to finish off at Bonehill, a local veteran climber has linked the start of Mikey Cleverdon's recent problem Jaws, I mean Pe'ahi, into The Wave Traverse to provide a tough V10 - The New Wave Traverse.
Lusty Cleavage Action - Inca Rowed 1 February 2015
Lustleigh Cleave, the final frontier - more people have stepped foot upon the surface of the moon than the nether regions of the Cleave. Luckily, crazy mo fo Ben Rowe knows his way about and has been working on a stunning new line, finally mustering up the strength and cojones to dispatch it the week before last.
Ben's line, Inca Road, exists in the confusing boundary between route and boulder problem and as such Ben has offered an XS 6b grade (not the first time this vague grade has been used in the Cleave - I did something called Kev and gave it XS 6c originally). The crux is found about 12 feet about an uneven ledge... so if you have quite a few pads, land well and don't fall off the ledge it's a boulder problem.
The crag is hard to locate (I struggle and I've been there a few times before!) but if you're keen you'll find it... eventually (it's roughly here http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=276092&Y=81955&A=Y&Z=120). Ben's new route/problem takes the rising left to right break traverse on the steep left hand wall before making a few tricky moves up. And in case you're interested, the other routes on the crag are, from left to right - White Widow E5, Justin's Crevice VS 5a, Thick Brown Crayon E4 6a and Northern Lights E4 6a.
Ben working on Inca Road XS 6b before the first ascent.
Alex Waterhouse Does Some Crushing at Combeshead 25 January 2015
A few weeks after dispatching Careless Torque (some well known northern problem on something called 'gripstone' - sounds pretty easy) Alex has seen the error of his ways and returned to God's own rock, Dartmoor granite, to polish off a couple of obvious lines at his local crag Combeshead Tor.
The bad boys in question are the slab/wall 'project' on the Hanging Flakes boulder (marked as problem 84 on the javu Combeshead guide and clearly visible as the wall left of the climber in this photo) and the wall right of Proof of Concept (68 on the javu guide). The former is now called Aurora, pretty thin and about V8; the latter is the harder of the two and goes by the name of Hypothesis at V9/10. Controversially, there used to be a lovely tree in front of Hypothesis but this was removed (dirty Janners I expect) back along, probably when Alex was a mere twinkle!...
Good skillz Alex! (But what's he done at Stanage?... oh, apart from that!)
Mikey the Pikey Cleverdon in @TheWave @Boneyhill #crushing #badass #schmoking #it'sdarkwhere'smyFloodItlamp Shocker 31 December 2014
If you've been to Bonehill over the last couple of months you will most likely have seen a slightly scruffy looking chap shuffling about with a dog and a vast array of bouldering mattresses. Fret ye not, a tramp hasn't taken up residence at the crag - this is in fact Mikey the Pikey Cleverdon and he's been working on a new problem on The Wave.
Above: The problem starts from sitting below this point; from here Mikey the Pikey makes a massive move up left. The red line in the background is the mast at North Hessary Tor.
Mikey first noticed the line might be possible back in 2007 but wasn't quite good enough to do the moves. A few years passed, Mike had a stroke (which slowed him down briefly) and then eventually got stuck into the problem in the spring of 2014. After being thwarted by hot summer conditions, Mikey really got involved this winter and has been at Bonehill for about 8-9 sessions trying his project. Last night (yes, that's right - last NIGHT) Mike got his lamp out and took advantage of f-f-f-f-f-freezing conditions to finally get lucky on the elusive link.
The problem takes the left hand side of the Wave in it's entirety, starting from sitting beneath the start holds of Tsunami with left in hand in the bottom left slot, right hand on a tiny undercut crystal and feet on the shelf. It seems to add quite a bit to James the beastly Squirrel Squires 'Catching the Wave' V11 in that it not only gains a couple of moves but also forces you into making the 'big' move off a hold to the right. Mike's given it the catchy name of Pe'ahi after the legendary Hawaiian surf break more commonly known as Jaws.
Above: On the top section of the problem, originally climbed as Something and Nothing by Mike Adams.
Right, that's enough of the boring detail, onto the important stuff - the grade! Mike reckons it's the hardest thing he's done but is reluctant to give it V12 / 8a+ as he's not climbed that grade before so has been a wimp and given it V11. Looking at it I'd say it's got to be at least as hard as Diamond District which gets V12...
It you're interested, the lamp is made by FloodIt - an essential tool for any modern boulderer it seems. (Old school climbers will of course consider this cheating and the problem awaits a 'free' ascent).
Mike is supported by eKonomical-FLOODIT lamps, Lyon Outdoor - La Sportiva, Dewerstone Clothing and Proto-col Green Magic nutrition specialist Jenna Goddard.
The Wave Stuff 17 December 2014
James the beastly squirrel Squire has climbed a tough link up on Dartmoor's trendiest feature, The Wave at Bonehill. His new conception, called Daimond District, joins the start of his problem Catching the Wave into Floater at a proposed grade of V12. Ellis Butler-Barker (not to be confused with Ellis Parker Butler of Pigs is Pigs fame) popped in for a rapid repeat, confirming the grade at low V12. Ellis has also been making swift work of most of the problems on this feature with ascents of Catching the Wave and Tsunami Extension.
Left: Ellis Butler-Barker Right: Ellis Parker Butler down at The Cove. photo Tom Wright
Recent months have seen an 'inondation' of confusing additions to the Wave so here's a collection of videos to hopefully show what's what.
First off we have Mike Adams starting the ball rolling with Oscillations V8 and Something and Nothing V8 (the video also features few other new problems on the moor, the most significant being Side Effects V10 at Combeshead Tor).
Dartmoor Bouldering Trip - Aug 2014 from Mike Adams on Vimeo.
Then we have James the beastly squirrel Squire knocking out the first ascent of Catching the Wave V11.
Catching The Wave V11 First Ascent • Dartmoor Bouldering from James Squire | Beastly Squirrel on Vimeo.
Next off James the squirrel repeating Floater (possibly the third ascent? Ted Kingsnorth repeated it a couple of years ago. Any others?) amongst other problems/crags/climbers.
Three Countries, Three Climbers, One Month from James Squire | Beastly Squirrel on Vimeo.
Dave Searle Talk and Slide Show 18 November 2014
Ex-Exeter based climber Dave Searle will be doing a talk about his alpine adventures and rad skiing shizzle.
Date: Friday 28th November
Time: 19:00 to 21:00
Cost: £5 in advance, £6 on the door (includes entry into a raffle to win some swag!)
Venue: Up Tivvy innum
Slightly more accurate venue: The Oak Room, 2 St Peters Street, Tiverton, EX16 6NUFor more information and to book please visit Dave Searle's site
Bold Brummy Bradbury in Peg Free Flesh Creeping North Coast Action! 18 November 2014
Following on from his ascent of Slave to the Rythym without the in-situ pegs, Stu Bradbury has also re-climbed Creeping Flesh at Smoothlands in the same style. Stu has suggested the grade is now hard E5 6b. Considering that the route was already reckoned to be fairly tough at the grade (with the in-situ pegs) and that Stu is a crazy mo fo, I reckon it would sensible to appropach it as an E6!
Dartmoor Shizzle 21 October 2014
Back in August Mike Adams paid a visit to Dartmoor and bagged a few 'last great' unclimbed lines. At Combeshead Tor the very impressive project 89 on the javu guide became Side Effect and went at V10 - a long span is required by the looks of it. Mike also added Flake Wall V5 just to the right of this, using the undercut on the Hanging Flake problem to span up and left for a slopey break.
At Bonehill Mike climbed a couple of new problems on The Wave - Something and Nothing V9, the direct above the traverse of Floater, and Oscillations V6, the extension from the existing problem up the left arete (this problem moves slightly right at the top but I reckon it'd be a little easier climbed more direct). Both of these lines are a bit high and have a dodgy landing so take a few pads and a spotter.
Finally, to round off a very productive trip, Make visited Smallacombe Rocks and made a couple of good looking contributions to the Orphan area - Street Child V9 and Stray Waif V8+ (problems 108 and 109 respectively in the javu guide). Here's a little film:
Dartmoor Bouldering Trip - Aug 2014 from Mike Adams on Vimeo.
Also on the moor, in a change from his usual limestone habitat, Ellis Butler Barker made repeats of Jungle VIP V11 at Burrator and the rarely repeated problem The Moor V10 at Bonehill.
Where is my Mind? Pixies Loving Bold Brummy In Impressive Blackchurch E6 Action 8 June 2014
Stu Bradbury paid a visit to Blackchurch last week but forgot to take something important - his brain! This proved to be beneficial for his onsight ascent of Francis Ramsay's mega bold Naked God E6 6a. The route was first climbed by Francis back in 1991 and it's unlikely that it's ever seen many ascents, particularly in recent years (as most people are down at Anstey's dogging). It turned out the pegs on the upper section were all pretty knackered and there were no back up gear options... Luckily Stu managed to keep it together to eventually end up at the top without dying.
While onsights of some E6s seem to be ten a penny these days this is a remarkably impressive effort. Stu's ascent of Naked Dog, I mean God, was a brave foray into the unknown especially without knowledge of what the in-situ gear would be like. There's a big difference between getting on an E6 that has frequent ascents and is a known entity to getting on one of these Culm Coast bad boys.
Stu looking small on Naked God E6 Photo. Anna Morrison
Here's a new description of the route for the hordes of you that will be rushing up for ascents now:
NAKED GOD ** E6 6a 150ft.
A serious route giving sustained and very bold climbing up the centre of the huge blank looking wall right of Lord Bafta and Godspell. Fine, steep and fingery climbing on the best rock to be found on the main cliff.Start just right of the arête, as for Godspell. Climb the lower wall boldly (2 Skyhooks protect) to reach the large grey rock scar (good peg above). Pull steeply up and left as for Godspell to reach a stainless peg (the last reliable gear) then move up and right of the peg to follow a slight diagonal line of weakness on small flakes and edges, passing 3 well spaced rusting pegs (1991 vintage, lets hope it was a good year!) until just below the top (Camalot 1 in a hole and 2 poor RPs above). Step up with trepidation to reach a creaking finger flake which gains the wide grassy crack on the right for the last couple of moves.
Poppy Shocker (last week's news today!) 2 June 2014
Following on from all his other recent Anstey's action (see report below) that young scamp Ellis Butler Barker has only gone and done Poppy! Needless to say this is inspirational stuff and puts Ellis well on track to ticking the wall with 'only' the mega link up of Brian left for him to do. Not bad for a 17 year old!
As some of you will be aware, Poppy was originally given 8b (not 8b+ as reported on an inferior news source!) by local hero and Plymouth School of Undergrading graduate Kendall Palmer. This has since moved up to 8b+ and some reckon 8c. When he climbed Poppy, Ken had been looking for an easier start to A Fisherman's Tale - needless to say Poppy failed in that concept...
For those that aren't familiar with the crag, A Fisherman's Tale, Postman Pat, Cyberdog and Poppy all share the same finish. This is pretty handy as one can get this wired whilst working up through the routes and grades at the same time. The easiest, or should I say 'least difficult', way of gaining the finish is via Postman Pat (which was the first 8a+ Ellis climbed on the wall, only back at the end of April).
Here's a video of Ellis razzing up Poppy and Tuppence Ha'Penny and also Tom Wright climbing The Cider Soak. The film's by Tom Wright.
West Penwith Action From Alexis 'Didier' Perry 1 June 2014
Science nerd, dark horse, Dider Berthod lookey-likey and ale fan (he's even got it in his name!) Alexis Perry has been quietly working through the harder routes of West Cornwall. His latest success is a headpoint of 29 Palms E8 6c at Sennen, probably the third ascent in it's current format. Alexis had to invest a bit of time before getting the lead, mostly due to the fickle conditions.
Photo: Is this Alexis at Orcombe Point, Exmouth? (source)
Originally climbed with pegs by Mark Edwards in 1987 at E6 6c, Mark then went on to replace these with longer lasting drilled pegs (essentially bolts). Although this action was criticised it should be viewed in context - at the time the bundaries of what was OK to bolt in the UK were being tested and revised by many activists. The originally controversial bolting of areas of Swanage, for instance, has since become accepted whereas bolting in West Penwith hasn't.
Unsurprisingly, the pegs were removed and the route was later led with gear in the old drilled peg slots. This was, however, viewed as a slightly flawed ethical statement due to the reliance on the drilled holes for protection.
Andy Long then came along and led it at E8, without any gear in the drilled holes and instead using tiny cams in very shallow placements (further clouding the story, I don't think these dinky cams existed at the time of the very first ascent).
The second ascent (in E8 form) was probably by visiting crazy mo fo Toru Nakajima during the 2010 BMC internation meet.
Alexis reckoned that despite looking a bit rubbish the gear was OK (but he always seems optimistic about his gear) and that the climbing warrants about Fr7c+. Oh, and just to complete the story Alexis filled in the drilled holes (not with bolts!) after his ascent.
Scarily, Alexis thought that his own line to the right, Tracks of My Tears, was technically as hard and also bolder... which suggests that it must be really pretty gnarly! Eeeek!
Also worth a mention is Alexis's new route over at the aesthetically pleasing crag of Cribba Head. This route, Blood Science, was climbed in April and according to Alexis is E6... but by the sounds of it could be harder for an onsight as the crucial cam that is very hard to find/place. A description can be found on the Climbers Club website
Congratulations are also due to Mrs Mandy Perry, Alexis's wife, who has spent a lot of time belaying Alexis in the cold. Hmmm, I'm glad I'm not his wife (his occasional beard might be a bit scratchy)!
Pesky Kids Hanging About Down The Cove 25 May 2014
Local youth Ellis Butler-Barker (17) has been making a nuisance of himself down at Anstey's Cove. Not content with ascents of Postman Pat 8a+ and Cyberdog 8a+ (and probably Postman Dog, CyberPat as well, knowing kids these days) the young scallyway has now only gone and sent Tuppence 8b, A Fisherman's Tale 8b, Tuppence Ha'Penny 8b+ and bloomin' Pet Cemetery 8a+ all in a week. For goodness sake, has this youth no respect for the tradition of taking years to get these routes done?
Here's a little video of Ellis on When the Days Are Dead V10 on the boulder beach at Anstey's Cove.
And if you think that's bad enough but he's not the only one! Another youth, Peter Dawson (15) has sent Tuppence Ha'Penny recently. You may have read about his highly successful trip to Spain (UKClimbing article) where he knocked out a couple of 8b+s and an 8a onsight amongst a handful of 8s. And his older brother Luke's pretty good too.
Quite frankly I think this kind of behavior from the Devon youth is ASBO worthy - would somebody please give them some homework or buy them Playstations!!
Moor Bunn Action 22 May 2014
Tom Bunn, obviously a bit keen on Dartmoor stuff at the moment, has made what is most likely the second ascent of The Camel E6 6c on Lowman. The line was first climbed by Simon Young in 1999, making use of some pre-placed RPs. Tom reports:
"I abbed the route one morning to see if it would be a worthwhile prospect and came back on Thursday to headpoint. After a couple of goes on the toprope, I lead up to place the first pieces and climbed back to the floor to rest. It seemed reasonable to not use any preplaced RPs or the matchstick thread, which makes the tough press move after the crux very bold indeed. Perhaps it ups the grade slightly, but still closer to E6 than E7 in this style. If someone decks out here I might change my opinion though!"
Dirty Dartmoor Repeats, Red Cars (and some chaff about grades) 12 May 2014
Some of the usually neglected harder granite stuff has received a bit of attention recently. Tom Bunn and Alex Moore went to Holwel Tor and had a go at Tsutsi. Originally given E6 6b, the boys decided to go for a highball style of ascent instead of leading... Tom reports:
"Well we failed doing the proper start! But I noticed some holds going direct up the prow, but we used the boulder underneath aswell. So ultimately, it's probably easier to go direct, safer for highballing, but a bit more dynamic. I tried to brush the top break with a brush on a stick from the top, but could only get rid of the moss. It ended up leaving a ton of grit and dirt in the thing still.
Although it probably does make more sense as a highball, It is still pretty damn scary as you have your feet really high up for the throw to the break. Exciting!
I didn't actually manage it, but my pal Alex Moore did. It's probably Font 7a+, maybe 7b" (Or V7 or V8 as we say 'ere on Dartmoor - I'd guess English 6b/c*)
Photo. Alex Moore laying one on for the dirty break a long way above his spotter Tom Bunn.
A few days later Tom made a visit to Haytor where he repeated Rough N Ready E6 6b. The route, found on the right hand side of the Rough Justice face, is rarely climbed (probably only 3 ascents to date?), generally pretty dirty and only requires on a couple of Friends for the break half way up. After flashing the route on top rope Tom cleaned it up and then dispatched it on the lead. Tom found the route to be a hard 6a rather than 6b - it seems that being tall/long armed may make the crux marginally easier. For those of you who don't know, Tom works at The Barn Climbing Wall and enjoys wearing Dewerstone clothing - Dewerstone are a local clothing company, they have a red car with 'Dewerstone' painted on which is sometimes seen parked in Shaugh Prior.
* Bouldering grading. Although Fontainebleau grades are being adopted everywhere I remain a stalwart fan of the V grade / English technical combination. This is largely because I like English technical grades! Font grades combined with an Engish technical (e.g. 7b 6b) look and sound confusing whereas a V grade with an English technical (e.g. V7 6b) is more aesthetically pleasing and sounds better. The inclusion of an English technical grade also tells you more about a problem's difficulty, whether it's sustained or one hard move (in the same way as E grades/technical grades on routes). And finally, English grades work better for easier problems because actual Fontainebleau grades seem to be all over the place in the lower grades and Vs only start at about English 4c/5a.
Save our heritage - use English technical grades in bouldering!
Tintagel Bouldering Reset! 10 May 2014
Tom Newberry has been in touch to report a few changes and new problems at Tintagel:
Just a heads up on some new problems/changes down at Tintagel after the winter storms which has resulted in a bit of a reset!
The new problems in question have long been on my radar but, annoyingly, were trapped behind a couple sofa size blocks. The steep, underct face lined with crimps teased and taunted me as I knew 3 star problems were waiting to be climbed. Fortunately, winter storms moved said blocks in early 2014 opening up a handful of quality problems (and a couple projects!). The best of the new problems include Hurlers V6, Purple Pants V8 and The AWOL Apprentice V9
Other noteworthy changes include:
- Kids V9, is no longer!
- Colorado Dreaming V10, has changed angle, it is now lower to the ground and the feet maybe better, top out is easier. I would say probably easier than its previous state but at similar grade. On the up side it is more open in the cave as boulders to left have gone meaning it is likely to be drier more often. Mind boggling how this house size block has shifted.
Tom Newberry re-ascending Colorado Dreaming, after the boulder shifted.
Tom Newberry on the first ascent of The AWOL Apprentice V9, suggested by Tom to be the best V9 on the coast.
Green – The Hurlers SDS V6: start sitting on low shelf follow the diagonal rail to the small shelf and a tricky rockover. Take a big bucket to empty the rock pool below.
White – Project: sitter into undercut and groove top out.
Red – The AWOL Apprentice V9??? Start matched on lowest finger rail follow holds in the slanting seam. Amazing, maybe the best V9 on the coast; Swiss style crimpin' by the sea. A variation finishes out left into and up purple haze at a similar grade.
Purple – All along the Watchtower V7/8: Start up Purple haze traverse the lip using a rose move into and up The AWOL Apprentice.
Yellow – Purple Haze V6 – original classic on the block, now even better as the dabby block has gone.
Blue – Purple Pants V8: Traverse low along the wall from Hurler into the start of Purple Haze, after the crux break out left along jugs. Amazing flowy climbing and quite a lot of moves.
Monkey Gone to Devon - More Bold Brummy Smoothlands Action 7 May 2014
Despite claiming that it was time to move on from Smoothlands' Great Slab (see news peice below), Pixies fan Stu Bradbury has been back to add a new route - it was obviously a cunning bluff to put off the fierce competition for north coast new routes!
Monkey Gone to Heaven E5 6a was climbed after abseil cleaning and takes an impressive line between Smoothtalkin' and the grassy rake to the right in one 'Gigantic' 170ft pitch (new skool Stu did send this in metric - I corrected it to imperial!). Stu worked out the route on the lead (i.e. didn't practice any moves on abseil) and discovered that he hadn't cleaned out all of the RP placements very well... oops!
Monkey Gone to Heaven E5 6a ** 170ft
Start at the base of the hanging arête on the right side of the arch.
Climb the hanging arête boldly (poor peg) to step right over the arch. Follow the runnel/crack and the pocketed slab on the left then continue up the slab to just below a large diagonal patch of hanging grass (rest and large cam in the wide grassy crack). Follow a rising line of footholds out left (crucial RP placements) towards the peg on Hellbound, clip this with a stretch and continue up the diagonal crack into the upper section of Hellbound which is followed to the top. FA Stu Bradbury, Lee Bartrop, 3/5/14.
Here comes your man, Stu Bradbury running it out like a kettle flex on Monkey Gone to Heaven
Sanctuary Wall Action 7 May 2014
Crag devotee Ken Palmer has been busy tidying up the Sanctuary Wall - Free the Spirit, Incubus Direct and Caribbean Blue have been restored so get on them soon whilst they're in good nick. Those of you who fancy sampling the delights of the main wall of crag at a slightly easier grade should consider the new link up of the start of Free the Spirit into Caribbean Blue - this has been dubbed Spirit of the Caribbean and goes at E5 6a.
Ken, with partner in crime Pete Saunders, also added Castaway E5 6a, a massive diaganol new route thingy starting at Morpheus on the bottom right of the crag and eventually finishing up Flaming Drambuie - it's steep, long, well protected and wild so get on it!
Kendal Palmer on pitch one of Castaway. Photo. Pete Saunders
Cornish Bey Newberry in Cheddar 8c Shocker! 27 April 2014
Proving that a diet of pasties and bit of aluminium sulphate is good for your climbing, ex-Camelford resident Tom Newberry has moved up a league with his recent success on Death Star, some 8c oop north (Cheddar). The route, first climbed in 2010 by strong and talented Chris Savage, is found on The Remnant and Tom's is the second ascent. The logical next route for Tom would of course be Ken Palmer's Brian 8c (or harder?) down at Anstey's. So in the absense of any footage of Tom climbing, here's Kenny P on Brian:
Bold Brummy Back At Smoothlands 27 April 2014
After his recent repeat of Slave to the Rythym, Stu Bradbury went back to the North Coast's version of Half Dome to make what is probably the second ascent of Martin Crocker's Lowlife (oops, accidentally reported this as Smoothtakin' previously!). Originally given E6 6a, Stu climbed the route onsight (with 1 fall) and reckoned 6b - but Stu and Martin are at opposite ends of the height sprectrum! Apparently it's more sustained than Hellbound but not as good. Stu has now ticked all of the routes on The Great Slab so thinks it's time to move on...
Bold Brummy Bradbury In North Coast Repeat Action 16 April 2014
Bold brummy * Stu Bradbury has recently repeated Slave to the Rythym at Smoothlands, near Hartland on the north coast. The route, first climbed by the legendary Andy Grieve in 1991 has been largely neglected since the first ascent and an abseiling clean was required prior to working out the route on the lead. Stu was joined by fellow north coast devotee Lee Bartrop for his ascent.
Stu comments:
"...very dirty and not easy to see where the line went as the cracks were fully grassed up and had lichen, soil and loose flakes everywhere. It still is dirty but at least you get an idea of where it goes and you can pick your way through - I don't reckon it has seen more than 2 or 3 ascents.
The initial diagonal crack is obvious and goes at around E5 until it peters out just before you reach the 1st old rotten peg. It then gets harder and after moving left it becomes more intricate, demanding a sustained effort all the way up the headwall without much rest. Without the 3 original pegs for pro and having to search out small wire placements it certainly feels easily as hard as "Hellbound" and it's a long old pitch -I felt the headwall was more sustained and warrants E6 6b ** (*** for the experience!).
A rack consisting of plenty of small wires, RPs through to walnut/rock 4s and lots of quickdraws is required. Anybody capable of climbing it should get on it soon whilst it is relatively clean as it is superb!"
For those of you who don't know, Stu is a north coast based climber who seems very keen on adventurous routes. He also offers guiding services - see his website Wallcrawler for more info.
* Bold Brummy - Stu will no doubt soon be in touch to tell me Wolverhampton (from whence I believe he hails) is not the same as Birmingham.
Hardcore West Penwith Action From Tom Bunn 15 April 2014
Tom Bunn has been developing the little bouldering spot of Priests Cove in far flung West Penwith for the last year or so. After not inconsiderable time and fuel expenses he last month succeeded on what is probably West Cornwall's hardest problem, Wonderland, at a proposed Font 7c+/8a. An impressive effort on an impressive boulder - well done Tom!
A full guide to the crag is available on from the Rusty Peg website (direct link to Priests Cove guide).
New Saddle Tor Problem 14 April 2014
Mike Cleverdon has added a good looking new problem to Saddle Tor - it seems the crag is en vogue at the moment! In a departure from the general Abba theme at the tor Mike has called it Foul Play (most of the recent problems have some kind of Abba link, with the obvious exception of Foal's Chopper which was named after a well endowed Dartmoor pony present at the time of the first ascent). It goes at about V10 (or Font 7c+ for those Frenchies out there) and here's a little bit of footage:
Frank and Pat Do a Chat 4 April 2014
60's rockstars Pat Littlejohn and Frank Cannings are to present a talk on what was perhaps the golden age of South West rock climbing, the 1960s. This should be well worth seeing for anyone with an interest in the stories behind first ascents of routes like America, Eroica, Darkinbad the Brightdayler, Swing Low and the Gilded Turd. It's at Exeter's Quay Climbing Centre on 8th April, it's free and apparently there's a bar.
DartRock Opens New Bouldering Cave 4 April 2014
Buckfastleigh's popular wall has open recently completed it's long awaited bouldering cave. This vastly improves the centre's bouldering facities and will no doubt be very popular. Dartrock website.
Please send in any climbing news - South West or further afield.
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