Rock Hall Cottage (The Don Whillans Memorial Hut)

It was a rare treat to have an autumnal climbing meet minus the rain and gales; even the green walls inside the kitchen were dry this time!
Sat morning started with a communal fry up courtesy of Peri's idea and Cefyn's and my shopping. Lots of grease and tea seemed to go down rather well and got the day off to a good start. Simon C, Carmen, Cefyn, Nicola, Richard, Peri headed for the right end of the upper tier whilst the Daves and Simon F and Debra headed to the left hand end. Various classics such as Black and Tans (S), Jeffcoat's Chimney (VD), Hollybush Crack (VS), Maude's Garden (VD), Inverted Staircase (Diff) were ascended. Some climbers even found time to head down to the hut for lunch and afternoon tea. Funnily enough we never quite managed this and finished on Pedestal Route (left hand start, S) just as it got dark. I had made the communal dinner in advance foreseeing a strong possibility of a late finish - which it wasn't for once.

Sunday - started with a few ascents on the lower tier - Yong (VD), Raven Rock Gully Left Hand (VS), Kestrel Crack (VS). Simon F and Debra were heading for Windgather on the way home. We left Peri and Richard settling down for a protracted siege on Jelly Roll (VS) with Cefyn feeling under the weather and therefore spectating. The Daves, Debbie and Nicola were heading for the Skyline whilst we (Simon C and myself) headed over to Hen Cloud for a bit of peace and quiet, as Manchester university had overrun the Roaches. Hen Cloud was desolate in comparison - only 2 other groups could be seen - but they were both on routes we were looking at doing. So we killed time on Ancient (VD), then did Rib Chimney (S) which was rather green and hard work and then finished with K2 (S) which was a splendid two pitch climb.

Overall an excellent weekend - weather was kind and the 'hut' and crags were as good as ever. I'm sure we will be staying there again in a year or two.

Carmen