Patrick O'Houlihan

Have been away from the proect for over a week until Today. ...

Last weekend enjoyed a couple of chilled bouldering days at Scugdale and Almscliff. Just been elbow rehabbing this week.

Headed up with the usual N Yorks team today. On arrival at Raven's I set up my ropes amidst a powerful Hoolie. Must have been gusting 60mph + and I couldn't get my ropes down the crag. Anyway, got sorted, had a quick ab and brush then trotted over to the wainstones to meet the others. Got warmed up and belayed guy something rubbish looking. It was relatively pleasant bouldering around there though - more sheltered.

Went back to Raven's with optimism, hoping the route wold feel managable in the blast. Sure enough it was too cold and blustery to think about trying it much today. I don't think I could have persueded my belayers to stay for long anyway. However, I did have a quick go on second half. Unbelieveably and annoyingly (after last visit) , with numb hands, cold body, socks on with rockshoes, hurting elbows and impeded by excessive clothing layers, blasting hoolie, etc. I cruised through the climbing first time of asking. So I still don't get why I didn't do it last time! But not to worry, it proves I've got the climbing totally wired now and that the route is within me. It surely can't hold out much longer! I'd love to get it done this year - just need a couple of belayers and a less windy, dry day and it should be over.

We regrouped at clay bank car park, and headed off to check out Earthworks Rocks. And it was well worth it. Enjoyed a handful of great highballish lines on nice rock with Guy, the best of which were opened by Steve Crowe a few years ago. 'The Arch' is a really nice aesthetic feature with good moves. The highlight for me though was 'Red and White', a great sequence up an arete with an exciting, grasping on heather finish to flop on to the top of the moor. There were a couple of harder looking aretes to do there as well - in need of a good clean though. Shoud've got some photos but didn't.