Mike and I took advantage of the good weather forecast for Good Friday to head out to the Peak. We decided to try somewhere a bit quieter, especially if Stanage was going to be busy with Easter weekend warriors, so we headed to Bamford edge. With some great views across Ladybower reservoir towards Kinder and Bleaklow, and over to Stanage in the other direction it certainly has a good location.
Once the sun had swung around to hit the crag by late morning, despite a strong breeze it was warm enough to enjoy a days climbing (with down jacket while on belay!) on my first rock routes of the year. I stuck to the easier routes and some great little leads including Bracken crack (VD *) and Bamford Wall (S 4a **). Mike's season needs less warming up than mine (note to self, need more winter training down the wall next year!) and he made swift work of Bamford Rib (HVS 5a **) and Gunpowder crack (VS 5b **) which I then struggled up on the second to retrieve the gear.
We did a few other routes, and some easy solos on bridging corners or short, easy slabs with great friction on the rough gritstone. Overall a great day out to kick off the season, and a nice little crag for something different to the usual Peak District haunts.