Slipstone Revisited - 9th January 2009

We had such good fun at Slipstone this week, we decided to go back.

Davie, Rich S and Rachael all headed over to the crags again to try some lead climbing and to practice gear placement.

Weather was a little milder but the rock was still very cold from a week of near zero temperatures.

After an initial go at 'Overhanging Crack' (VDiff) and failing miserably on the initial bouldering type move, Davie moved over to have a shot at leading 'Mantelshelf Crack' (VDiff). Again, this needs arms like a gorilla to gain the second step and it proved just out of reach for the poor dispirited Davie.

However, having thrown and recovered his teddy bear, Davie swapped places with Rich to give him a try at it.

Although simean in his demeanour, Rich too lacked the arm length to gain sufficient purchase for the next steps.

This was getting depressing. We moved back around to tackle 'Overhanging Crack' with Davie belaying Rich on lead. The stubby legs of Rich proved to be tailor made for jamming into the large crack and having cracked this first move, he swiftly made progress to the top.

Top rope set up and Rich on belay, Rachael had a go and, after struggling like her old dad, managed to crack the initial problem to gain the easier line. She abseiled back down to take pictures of the frustrated 'silverback', warming up for a try at 'Roofed Corner' (Diff).

The route is straightforward with an awkward overhanging block at the top and it was swiftly negotiated - well, more swiftly than my earlier fiascos.

Rachael took the same route and then dropped back down for a traverse from this to the next door Overhanging Crack. Davie completed the same traverse from ground up and as the valley fog was coming in we decided to head for home.

Slipstone proved today that it is essentially a bouldering area with some specific climbs thrown in. Most of the difficulty ratings are obviously awarded on the basis of the initial moves requiired to get going.

The routes are bloody difficult and, in boots and cold rock, very tricky.

Unless, of course, you're an 18yr old, 5 ft 10 ex-ballerina or a short, squat, walking muscle who can peel bananas with his feet.

Maybe, just maybe, I'm too old for this s**t.

Slipstone is going to be a regular occurence as there are still plenty of routes to try out, so come along.

Davie