Foxlow Edge

                                                          http://www.battleoats.com/

                                Super run out this morning over Foxlow Edge in the goyt valley.

                                    http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_b/3510/

Looking over towards the ridge of Foxlow Edge.

Fantastic run over the top of Foxlow then down into the woods at Errwood Hall,

back round and up the long strenuous hill to the car park. Total stamina is needed here, glad to say did it in one solid run without stops. Sadley the hall no longer exists, just a mere set of footings remain.

http://www.goytvalley.co.uk/walk3.html

Another super BLOG by Mountains in mind 

http://www.mountainsinmind.com/surrey-3-peaks

Peak Limestone @ Aldery Cliff

So it's the re launch of a bar by the name of Battle Oates and re launch of a day long gone in time. 

Pulling up at Aldery Cliff 20 mins from home in the beautiful White Peak part of the Peak District National park. Must have been,maybe 25 years ago thinking OMG that looks tough climbing. Yep, we moved on to some other crag, who knows were, not i. But stronger wiser more climb cred were back.

So, you guessed it were back at Aldery Cliff. 

180 deg shot of the crag face.

Dean making the first move on Clothesline.

Super route with loads to keep you on ya toes. Dean set up an abseil and we rapped back down, no point in using the walk off as it way off to the left. 

So, prior to the first route we ripped open a Cranberry flavour bar from Battle Oates. Ok it looks the same, rectangle bar of oaty stuff. So snapped it up into pieces and handed Dean a piece and took a piece for myself. Uhmmm, yes something's different. Smoother, bit tastier, bit different from the old bar. So what's changed, well read the info at the bottom of the BLOG it will tell you all you need to know. But just for the record, it tasted better, smoother, less dry. So thumbs up all round, but does it do the biss. These things are always difficult. First of all I started with a cooked breakfast, mushrooms bacon black pudd and fresh egg from the farm. Took no food to the crag, so had to survive on the battle Oates bar, Must admit I didn't feel hungry and didn't find that I wanted to eat during the climbing session just drank water. I would say we were climbing hard, and burning the calories as we were both leading at HVS 5a throughout the day. Within that time period I felt great, no lack of Gurr and no lack of energy, so the conclusion is they work and work well.

                                                    http://www.battleoats.com/

First lead for me on the main face, surface plate HVS 5a. Great route on small wires to start, with a super cam in the brake at around half height. Dean came up on second and loved the route to bits. We set up for the abseil and rapped off back down to Doogle who was waiting patiently at the bottom.

Dean on his way down off Clothesline.

Next route is Deans, broken toe. Superb route, 30m of pure HVS climbing all the way. 

Broken toe HVS.

Again, setup an abseil and rapped off to the bottom. Loads of super anchors at the top, mainly trees, actually there all trees. So if you want to get your abseiling skills up, this is the crag. Just make sure you have a rope of a minimum length of 60m, otherwise you will be a little short of the ground.

60m just off the ground.

Next and last routes was mine with (The Fly) at HVS 5a, and worth every penny. Loved this route, really fine climbing with protection low down so you feel pretty exposed. Up onto the slab and into some pretty bad ground. Nettles, blackberry bushes un all sorts. However, what a super route, you've just got to run it out to the top to get the most Awsome feeling. The exposure at the top is fantastic, your on a super hanging belay via a tree stump leaning out off a blank wall. 

http://www.battleoats.com/

Looking down from the top, maybe the highest point to date that a Battle Oates bar has been since the new launch (100+ft) unless you know different.

So, enough Battle Oates Business let's head off to the pub.

The Packhorse, (http://thepack-horseinn.co.uk/ ) super pint and a razzle in the beer garden with Doogle. He loves to roll round in the grass at high speed.

So, thats our adventure for the day. Go and make your own, and above all scare yourself at least once as it wakes you up.

Go live, but live it your way.

GO CLIMB

SPA Assessment

SPA

Assessment

To

Run in the Peak District

SPA running on August 25-26th contact Cliff Lowther at Roxcool to book on. Limited places so be quick.

http://www.roxcool.co.uk/

http://clifflowtherroxcoolblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Trafford centre on ROCK

Already committed, yep I know, I am only going to rant at the amount of people in the Peak due to the bank holiday. Oh well off we go to Stanage end slab. Turn left at High neb and walk for about 20 mins to the bottom end, well worth the walk.

Just got the last parking spot, whoop whoop.

Ok so it's off up the hill to have some fun. I've set my sights on Steamin E1 5b today, last climbed this route back in May 2012 with dean after been shut down on several occasions due to the weather. This route is great and wet at the best of times so it doesn't come into condition that often. There is a lot of run off from the moor top which saturates the nearby crag, and Steamin is right in its path.

There are a coupe of guys climbing the Pinion HVD to the right of Steamin so john and I decide to warm up on the buttress at the back called crab crawl. Notice the guy in the picture, he's wearing a belay jacket as it so cold on the face even thou the sun is out and beaming, not in the shadows thou. Prosperos climb is the warm up route at a steady Vdiff 2 star, nice route with good gear placements. I used double ropes on this route for ease, and it made sense as the route snakes over to the left then up onto the flat belay stance at the top.

Prosperos climb, number 14.

Sat on top in the hot sun you could see all the way to Ladybower reservoir and beyond, the scenary is stunning.

Ladybower in the distance.

So on comes john, first climb of the day. John makes easy work of this route, and he enjoys the layback on the flake at the top of the pitch, little exposed but he puts this one to bed with ease.

Wrapping up the rope, usual banter at the top. Ok, what do you fancy next.

Cup of mint tea in one hand guide book in the other. I fancy (The Green Streak) nice route at VS 4c, well within johns range. I gear up and head up the route, nice little finger presses and a mantle near the top. Sat on top with such an amazing view waiting for john. 

Super belay spot, comfy and very sunny.

Bingo, it's done.

Ok, now for the action. I've got my eye on Steamin E1 5b. Looks green but clean and dry. 

Steamin is to the left of shot, the overhang.

Gearing up, double ropes again on this route straight to the overhang then ran it out with extenders and a long sling to prevent rope drag on the crux move, the exit on the overhang.

Definitely don't want any rope drag here as it would ruin your day, it would make it very difficult to exit due to the nature of the move.

Steamin is route 3.

Well chuffed route goes well, just a bit of skin loss on the exit. The route was so sheltered that it was absolutely freezing under the roof, my hands were numb. Must have really raunched them on the top move.

Sat on top feeling good, what a great climb. I lean over and shout down to john, you fancy a crack. I am sure he swore or was it the wind, anyhow think he was happy on terra firma. So let's get the kit back. Set up an abseil then abb off down to retrieve my gear.

Just coming over the top to swing under the over hang and get the cams and extenders out.

Bit of 1st aid required, oh well. Pains short lived, glory is for ever.

Job done, so it's a well earned laze in the grass. What a super spot, the views are amazing.

A great days outing in the sun on some of the best routes in the Peak District.

Please come again