For once I was ready on time depriving Debra of her cup of tea and we made the long journey over to Hawkswick Crag in the dales just past Kilnsey. Simon and Carmen knew the way and we were soon at the minuscule parking spot, and heading up the hill.
With forecasts of thunderstorms possible we had a variety of clothes but werent prepared for the flies and midges that greeted us at the top of the 5 min walk up. Hawswick is one of the typical Yorkshire limestone small venues, never getting higher than 9 meters but stretching quite a way with cracked buttresses and shattered lines.
We quickly geared up and prepared for mosi-hell and Debra led up Satisfaction (VD) and Simon battled with Oliver's tree at S. Soon after the sun came out and the midges retreated a bit and we climbed a few more short clean routes including a good value Marley Wall (VS). Ivy was not bad at this far left end, belays are ok, and gear is sound if sometimes a tad spacey.
By now were were starting to overheat so we headed to the right hand end woods for some shade, but the undergrowth is pretty rampant here and we soon fought our way to two small but clean and pleasant routes Idadown (VS 4c) and a delightfully eponymous The Bridge (VD).
Now 5.30 the sun should have been relenting but it wasn't, I fancied the ** HVS – Pinnacle Face for a picture tick, Debra fancied a lie down and Simon went ticking the very short new Diffs on the far left, leaving Carmen to hold the ropes. A somewhat mixed route with a start that seemed off route, a huge reach right and then a romp to the top on jugs. I really enjoyed it once committed – I really didn't want to hit the floor and re-twist my ankle!
Now all thoroughly dehydrated and tired we headed for the pub – Timmy Taylors Best served from a jug – before heading home, arriving 12 hours after leaving.
A good crag probably worth visiting in less sunny and cool conditions and pre nettles
LINKS
I might have known you'd use one of the photos of you with your kit off…
he had his kit off last night too. they will be calling him "The YAC flasher"