Two gloriously sunny weekends. Two trips to Stanage. Two trips to Baslow. Fun all round.
Following hard on the heels of my recent return to grit was another sunny weekend. The drive from our new house to the Peak District is right on the verge of reasonable; any further and it wouldn't be worth it. In order to get the most out of the day, we set off unfeasibly early and arrived at Burbage Bridge at 08:30. A lovely dog walk up to Stanage Pole and back was the first call of the day, with the whole of the Peak set out before us.
Becs and Tess leave Cowper Stones and head off along Stanage. Copyright Haydn Williams 2011.
The temperature soon crept up, and just as we drew level with the Popular End of Stanage I spotted a form of wildlife I've never seen in the Peak before – a common lizard. Perhaps not the most exciting find, and my photo certainly isn't up to the standard of my good friend Mr. Hyde, but I was excited nonetheless. I'm nothing if not easily pleased. He can't have been out for very long, as he didn't seem to have the energy to run away as I crept closer and closer with the camera. We left him sunning himself and carried on our way.
It might be called a Common Lizard, but I've never seen one up here before. Copyright Haydn Williams 2011.
We got back to the car just as the heat really took hold, which was frustrating as Becs and I both wanted to go for a run. It was Becs' first proper off-road run, and I was keen to make sure she didn't hate every second, so that we'd have more choice of going out together in future. We went separate ways on this occasion so that she could manage her pace more effectively; she ran along the green lane down to Burbage South, and I took the rougher path along the top of the edges, trying to keep up with her despite the harsher terrain and longer route. I failed, so didn't have any excuse for a rest and a chat at the top of Padley Gorge. I plodded across to Surprise View, and then along the top of Millstone. G and I did a similar route last July, and I remember it took 55 minutes. I also had to walk the steep bit past Millstone. This time was much better, reassuringly, with no stops and an extension of the route out to Cowper Stones instead of straight back over Higgar Tor. It still took 55 minutes, and I got back at the same time as Becs (who had fun and thankfully wasn't put off going the concept of trail running). A relaxed lunch provided some fuel for recovery, and we spend some time lounging in the sun watching boulderers fall off things before heading home.
Sunday's weather was similar, which was convenient as I was back at Stanage Popular, dragging Ben up there bright and early. I was determined to keep up my leading streak of VDiffs, so started the day on Grotto Slab (Mod / Diff, *) with enthusiasm. It was mediocre really, and as I stood at the bottom of the crag looking at the guidebook I suddenly realised that there are particular types of route I like, and particular types I don't. It seems that Stanage (Popular at least) is full of the kind I don't, while Baslow the week before had been far more my cup of tea. While I dithered, Ben set about Castle Crack (HS 4b, **).
Ben heading up to Stanage Popular End. Copyright Haydn Williams 2011.
He led it with aplomb and I seconded, quite enjoying the taxing-but-not-too-hard level that the route sits at (at least on second!). Wanting to get the most out of the day, I then persuaded Ben that we should head back to Baslow so I could tick off some routes I'd spotted the previous weekend. He kindly agreed, and we jumped in the car only to stop seconds later, having spied Lou and Chris on their way up to Plantation. We explained our plan, and the disappointment on Chris' face at such an unfathomable decision was clear to see! Nevertheless we wished them well and proceeded to spend a fantastic couple of hours ticking off routes in the Gullies Wall area at Baslow.
"Hang around on the ledge looking cool while I take photos." Ben does as instructed. Copyright Haydn Williams 2011
Ben patiently followed me up things in-between his soloing missions, and then conned me into accidentally leading a VDiff 4a (Gully Wall Variation). I got up it with no fuss whatsoever, so I was pretty chuffed when he cheerily informed me of the grade as he topped out on second. On paper, that's the hardest route I've ever led. Not going to set the world on fire, but it made me happy. We left after lunch, feeling rather pleased with ourselves at having got in some more quality sunny climbing at short notice.
Footnote: For the pedants amongst you, I realise that technically it's the "Peak", not the "Peaks" but the post title doesn't work anywhere near as well if I stick to convention!
