Bristol calling

We have just spent the last week down south where we first checked out the limestone crag, Brean Down. We were staying at a friends in Bristol and then drove out to the coast where the crags was. I had heard that Brean was a great sport crag to head to when everything else was wet! So yeh we wanted to keep the sport fitness ticking and crack off some new routes that were dry. Brean sounded like a good bet! So anyway we spent 2 days there and did some decent routes. The weather was pretty awful which didnt help with the psyche but still managed the classics such as Chulilla 7b+, Tide Rising 7b+ and Storm Warning 7c+. The verdict on the cliff was that its a good place to head to when the weathers shit but its nothing special.






After that and a session at the Bristol climbing wall we drove up to Shrewsbury to head to the brillant Nesscliffe. This is by far one of my favorite crags and a real hidden away gem, with some of the most awe-inspiring trad lines I've ever seen!
The plan was to have a bash at some of the routes and do some bouldering. So first up was Berlin Wall at E7 6c (sport 7c+). This is a fantastic line, up a pocket infested wall with a mega sketchy top move and three old pegs to protect. I took the fall twice from the top and then got it 3rd go, just.
We then did some great bouldering with Ed ticking the classic Rigpa V8+, the fingery traverse Little Northumberland V9 and Little Wonderland V10.
Back home now for some more grit and hopefully Malham soon!

More Routage

Had anouther cracking day up at Bamford on Tuesday avec Steve. Did some nice soloing to warm up and then did Jet Runner E4 6a on the Salmon slab. After that went ok, I then had a bash at Salmon left-hand (aka The Trout). This is a brilliant E6 6b slab with some cheaky pocket pulling, pebble tweaking moves and a final lunge to hit the top. Had a good first go and then got it on the second attempt. We finished the day off with Steve making a smooth flash of Jasmine.
Check out the two wicked video's he made.
Nice one Steve

Wham Bamford from Ram Man on Vimeo.

baslow bangers from Ram Man on Vimeo.

Basloooow

Went up to Baslow yesterday for the first time to check out two wicked looking routes, Poppers E5 6c and The Grand Potato E6 6b. The sending team out was Ed, Steve, Ethan and me! The first route to go down was the amazing Grand Potato, which climbs straight up this slopey arete with great, unusual moves above 'slightly' dodgy gear. Ethan and I chose to lead it, using the gear. Steve however sacked that off and went for the all out solo. His first attempt pretty much got him to the top but had too cold hands to finish it and ended up jumping down from the top of the crag!!!! THE biggest jump down I've ever seen! Scary times..... He somehow got back up and dispached it next go. Awesome!
We then all had a go at the tricky Poppers. This starts with a wierd V7, involving a big jump to a good break and bomber gear, then some crimpy chicken head pulling to a slopey top out. It took a while to get the start, then you just had to pull hard on some thin holds. I got it first and then Ed nailed it second. Two brilliant little routes, hidden away in the tree's. We finished the day off bouldering, with Edwardo ticking Flatworld