Paul's email arrived with my bucket of tea and a glorious morning. After the usual organisational faff Paul, Mike S and I arrived at Brimham just before noon.
Mike has done no real routes at Brimham so we set off looking for classics that weren't too green and damp after yesterday's downpour. Rough Wall was greasy so we trundled along to Cracked Buttress which takes no drainage and the open aspect means it dries quickly in the sun and cold wind, both of which we had plenty.
Mike led Right Hand Crack (VS 4b/c ***), trying to avoiding jamming, Paul then did an excellent if circumspect lead of Grit Attack (HVS 5b* – hard for the short and bold at 3/4 height). I am still feeling the tail end of the cold that ruined the Elphin trip for me so was on seconding and heckling duty.
Next we pointed Mike at Birch Tree Wall (VS 4c) (where we ran into Mark Brown bouldering and Russ on family duty) where he picked up another three stars in a slightly wandering line ! We continued our stroll along the lower edge to Allan's Slab which was dry but cold.
We soloed a few of the easy routes around here (collecting another 3 stars) and played on Woodbine before heading home in the sunshine. Top day out and quality local crag.
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- paul sets off
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- cold belaying
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- sun comes out