September has been a bonkers month with loads of interesting work and play on the Pembroke sea cliffs and a filming project further a field in The Peak. Thanks to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of getting out with… Just about catching up with the adventures now!
I'd had my eye on a line deep within Range East for a while. Panza Walls lies equal distance between the St. Govan's and Stack Rocks car parks and you're unlikely to see another climber at the crag. It's a large cliff but not plastered with stared existing routes, although the rock is good and there seemed scope for further exploration. There was one line in particular that I wanted to check out: A full traverse of the face above the mid hight overhangs, weaving it's way around buttresses and ribs, west to east.
I did the first two pitches with Tom Rogers (after first climbing a couple of established routes first) and after a late start we were forced upwards and the top, a long way away from the end of the route. With Tom returning to Bristol, I needed someone else to finish the job - who better to ask than Pembroke new routing machine Paul Donnithorne. Of course he was keen.
We swung leads for eight pitches to bring a quality new E1 adventure, through exciting situations into existence, named Mama Mia. If you're up for an adventure away from the crowds, go and check it out...
The booming steam train that has been the summer is now starting to slow down to a more relaxed pace and time for personal climbing is more available. It's been a great summer, with some fantastic working adventures and courses, mostly within the wonderful Range East Crags. I do love working and living in this beautiful county...
With the Army laying down their guns and bombs for the summer holidays and the climbing bird restrictions having been lifted, it's been great to get back to the old stomping ground of Range East. This is the most extensive and adventurous climbing area in Pembrokeshire with tons of great routes on first class sea washed limestone. The working adventures have been coming in thick and fast, with lots of private guiding, family groups as well as a two day self rescue skills course. Thanks to everyone in the last couple of weeks I've had the pleasure of sharing a rope with...
I sat on our lawn, small and due a trim, in a green carpet of grass and clover, enjoying the evening weather. Gethin was in bed, asleep. Corinne was out enjoying her Saturday evening in Narberth with a friend and I was Chief Guard.
The recent few weeks have been pretty full on with work and it was nice to relax for a couple of days. Sat on that lovely long grass i was fortunate enough (over a beer) to watch a bumble bee visiting different flowers around me. It looked like harder work to me.
Here’s some shots of recent action.
