Yesterday saw my first trip to Bamford, and the same for Gareth and Jamie. It's made up of a few different sections spread out along the edge, but the rock on each bit is really broken up and disjointed so there's loads of lines all over the place. The first thing that my partners in crime did was slap me on a Severe 4a, Bamford Wall, without telling me what it was. I got halfway up on lead before bailing. That said, I was pleased with the first half, which I didn't really want to do in the first place, if I'm honest. I was also quite relieved when they revealed it was harder than anything I've ever led previously; if it had turned out to be a Mod or something then I wouldn't have been impressed!
G takes over on Bamford Wall (S, 4a). Copyright Haydn Williams 2009
After that Jamie led Short Curve (HVD) and Recess Crack (VDiff). Gareth then did something involving finger jams and suggestions that it wasn't as hard as the guidebook reckoned (Bilberry Crack, VS 5a). Despite a bit of dampness early on, the sun broke through around mid-morning and the rock was perfectly dry for most of the day.
Scoping out Short Curve (HVD). Copyright Haydn Williams 2009
As usual when us three make it to a crag together, I don't think it could be described as the most efficient session ever witnessed on grit. That, however, is not the point – it was a lot of fun, conditions were great, and we finished the day in true style on a Mod first climbed in 1900 (Easy Chimney). You can't really ask for much more, can you?
