Crag Karma

People-less, absolutely still, not a soul to be seen. On Baslow Edge that is, curbar edge was another matter. Baslow is a much side tracked gem in the Peakdistrict grit calendar. Short routes of varying grades and difficulties. Super crag, well worth a visit. 

A lovely pictorial plaque showing the surrounding villages and crags.

Loads of history here, a nice old mill stone not fully completed. This now serves as a dog bath or watering hole.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baslow

So to the Karma side of things. We did a little rock hopping to get the old muscles moving and the blood flowing, not that the walk up Curbar gap wasn't enough. 

Here's JB doing his Karate kid impression, more dingo than flamingo I think. So warm up done, Doogle decides to play CPR victim.

Save me, save me.ok we just pass on by.

We warm up on a couple of nice little routes on Gullies Wall, mod to diff and a finish on Route 3.5 at a nice grade of VDiff number 15 in the picture. 

We move round the corner to Right Hand Gully (Diff),super route really good fun with a nice hex placement inside the gully for protection on the move out.

JB Route finding on Right Hand Gully, not a favourite of JBs deep chimney cracks, so I take the lead on this one and JB does a very nice second.

We also did a bit of work on gear placements and balancing to points of protection whilst on lead. 

JB just starting the crux move out of the chimney.

Wobbly block time, Gully Wall. Soon as your up and on you grab the block and it's wobble time. JB sprouted wings at this point and jumped off. Thinking he was soon to be chased by a huge grit block down the climb, block just wobbles nothing more. However if you don't know this it's a bit of a shaker upper rur. http://youtu.be/Xq3FPcgDSmE

So if you've got a bobbly block just pack with a healthy bar of Battle Oats, that will stop you rockin.

http://www.battleoats.com/

Another little photo shoot for the Battle Oates gallery. 

Not just supplying fibre to the inside, but also to the outside. Super new extender protector and classy advertising.

Next target an old favourite of mine, Pensioners Bulge VS 4c. What an amazing route, can be an absolute sand bagger if your not carefull. This route has a very committing move out onto the face before you top out. 

Beautiful route up and out over the overhang. John is learning fast, he's confident with his anchor placements for belay setup and he's starting to think more around feet and hand placements whilst on lead. So all in all a great days training session.

Time for home, a nice couple of shots on the way back across the moor. One of some flora on the grit stones at the side of the path and the second a super boulder with some great routes on, another day.