Following on from last years hugely successful trip we decided to head out of the smog filled capital once again in search of pristine air, coarse grit boulders and bold trad lines - all of which we found at Stanage...
Friday afternoon approached after a busy week of uni - the prospect of speeding northwards to the grit pulled me through! After making my way over to VP Mealor's house (making sure to leave my bike INSIDE the house!) we were soon packing up and heading north. The weather forecast was good, and we arrived at the hut at the reasonable hour of 11:00pm - greeted by a wood burning stove and a lounge full of keen faces! It transpired that Mr Heggie was delayed on route; due to what can only be described as a sat nav post code 'mix-up' they had driven to the house of the owner of the hut, not the hut itself!
Saturday dawned and after a swift breakfast we hit Stanage in perfect weather... along with every other university club/casual climber/joe bloggs in the UK it would seem! Nicole and Cat were tutored in the dark art of trad climbing and soon pulled off their first trad leads! I was busy testing out my new technical approach shoes, the Garmont Dragontails... needless to say they exceeded expectations! A keen contigent of boulderers were cranking out the problems at the Plantation, and the much revered Brad Pitt was glanced at. For me Pegasus Rib and Pot Black were highlights of the afternoon, and at dusk we all piled back into the cars and headed back to the hut, passing a rescue from the Popular end of Stanage, see Incident 93 ("A female climber leading a route in the heaven crack area had fallen sustaining a head injury and arm injuries").
Dinner was the main event of the evening, with a spectacular chili being conjured up by Ms Johnson and Mr Maunder - my compliments to the chefs! Following this it was decided to grace the local pub, The Robin Hood, with our presence. Jenna, the elected hut custodian for the weekend, sadly neglected to take the key with the first group and the stragglers, realising this error, spotted an opportunity for mischief! Numerous frantic phone calls and discussions of the best way to break back into the hut ensued before their concerns were allayed - remember the key next time!
The fine and esteemed gentlemen and gentleladies of the King's College London Mountaineering Club, on expedition in the Peak District during the turn of the third quarter of the eleventh year of the century.
Back from left: Mr. J. Wong, Mr. W. Hamilton, Mr. A. Heggie, Mr. A. Feneley, President Mr. M. R. Davies, Mr. P. O. Brook, Mr. A. Kent and Competition Secretary Mr. S. M. H. Prior.
The following day was equally spectacular, and some opted to head back to Stanage to pick off some routes from the previous day. Tower Face Direct was dispatched first thing, and shortly after I bumped into Tom Smart, a medic who intercalated at KCL in my first year - small world! I lead Monday Blue before getting on my dream route for the weekend Telli! Technical climbing on a slab with bomber gear - the mantel proved tricky however after changing tactics I was soon pulling over onto the top, having lead my first E3! Easier for the tall I reckon :D I belayed the others up after me, with the sun setting in a cloudless sky after an amazing weekend of climbing with friends - this is what climbing is all about! I knew that right then there was nowhere else I would rather have been.
Bidding farewell to Stanage we ventured into Sheffield to grab a quick kebab from Greedy Greeks - an establishment that came highly recommended. We were not disappointed! A couple of hours on the M1 later and we returned to London. Spectacular weekend - thanks to everyone who made it possible!
Words by Martin Davies
