17 Oct 2010

Moors Meet Details and Chasing Rainbows

Moors Meet Details
The meet will start at 6pm at the The Lion Inn Friday from there some night bouldering at Rosedale head or Ravenswick if Its raining as you can climb on black wall in the rain - "Its also the Stoney Middleton of the Moors!"
join in any day - Trad-heads also welcome - just don't expect us to tie any knots or belay!

Friday  22nd October. Gather at 6pm, small wild campsite adjacent to The Lion Inn up on Blakey Ridge, from there some night bouldering at Rosedale head or Ravenswick

Saturday 23rd October. Meet at 10am beside The Lion Inn - will be at Ingleby - projects - circuits and new development to be investigated.

Sunday 24th October. Meet at 10am beside The Lion Inn - The Wainstones and Cold Moor - projects - circuits and potential new development there too. Who dare enter the Cold Moor mine shaft!
Any Enquiries Email: lee@betaguides.com

Chasing Rainbows
Today's welcome to Blakey Ridge  - Where the pots of gold lie in wait?
It's good to see that plenty of fellow mat carriers are heading further into the depths searching for blocks or sweet lines on long-forgotten crags. Feels like I've been Chasing Rainbows all my life (Shed Seven Song), looking for boulders that are not in guides or on anyone's radar puts a different edge on any day out on the hill. There's a sense of anticipation of what the rock's like, and the possibility of finding a gem that makes it all the more worthwhile. 
This week's mystery location was High Crag (Westerdale) on the edge of Stockdale Moor.
On the walk in Tor Hill Crags caught my attention as I could see some nice leaning faces on it! Just how high - will check this out next time.
Tor Hill Crags
To get to High Crag you have to pass through High House farm, were I had the warmest greeting from the friendliest farmer you would ever wish to meet. Firstly asking me my favorite ice breaker "What's that on your back?" He then opened all the gates to let me short cut through the farm, both of us talking all the while. His favourite family summer picnic site on High Crag has a fantastic view of all the dales!
Here comes the gloom
A quick scan of the lines on the crag indicated mostly lower grades up to font 5+ with the odd harder traverse and short hard line on good sandstone. There was one smooth gem of a boulder with a distinctive red colouring that I just had to do a problem on even though it was a bit damp! Too tempting!
Not too high - amazing friction - perfect slopers - needs a dry day
Pot of Gold SS Font 6b+ tricky start - a long reach to a sloping top 
a good crimp further back if you can get it! 
Had to be careful driving through Pickering as it was 'War Weekend'

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