DVD Review - Life On Hold

  'This isn’t so much man vs rock as a gritstone spooning session'

Read my full review of Life On Hold here

Stoney Wicks

     A quick trip to Stoney Wicks to take some pictures today.  Facing South East, Stoney lies higher and just East of Barkers (The Quiet Side of Scugdale, May 2012), clearly visible from the track that runs along the top of the edge, jutting out of the hillside.   The rock is fantastic, solid and harder than the rest of Scugdale.  I'd say it's a shame it isn't bigger but the height and general friendly feel of the place make it a great place to go on your own.  You're almost guaranteed solitude and the views down Raisdale into Bilsdale give a different perspective from the other crags in the dale.

Stoney Wicks - LHS

    I've visited here lots over the years, a few years ago I made a paper miniguide I titled Stoney Wicks and Beyond as many problems were unrecorded, indeed the right-hand-side of Stoney didn't even get a mention anywhere.  I wanted some new pictures to make a printable guide I can put on here but the panaramics didn't work out quite as well as I'd hoped so another visit will be needed before I can finish it.

360degree view from the RHS of Stoney

the view across to Barkers'

Lazy Days - Park Nab

     Park Nab sits prominent on a hill above Kildale, a sandstone outcrop with a great outlook over a quiet, scenic part of the moors.  The climbs aren't very big but there's some good-looking lines here, Longbow being the obvious challenge, plainly visible from the road.  
     I had one of those days on Monday when climbing is just good fun, I spent a lot of time just lazing about in the sun enjoying the views with the crag to myself.  And on a Bank Holiday!  I did most of the easy climbs, many more than once, using the bouldering mat to cover up any pointy rocks.  Going above my comfortable bouldering height and being alone I felt it prudent to break out the helmet.
     I've been enjoying playing with Movie Maker so I took some footage trying out some different angles and playing with the fade effect which I may have over-egged a little.  It's still just a collection of climbs, missing a narrative.  Hopefully an improvement on my last vid though.

Park Nab - The Three Aretes

     Another little practice topo.

Scugdale 360

     Had a bit of time on my hands today and so I made an interactive panorama of Scugdale.
     I'm pretty chuffed with it but have put it on a separate page as it is a couple of megabytes and loads automatically.

You can view it here

Day's End Buttress Topo

     My first attempt at a pdf topo.  Thought it would be interesting to try and make my own little guides to some of the places I visit.  Obviously they'll never be of the same calibre as betaguides or climbonline but I enjoy stuff like this.  

     Constructive criticism is appreciated.

You Can View It Full Size Here

The Quiet Side Of Scugdale

     A little video of some problems at Barkers' Crag at Scugdale, Days End Buttress and Ampitheatre Buttress.  Although close to the 'popular' end of Scuggy it's always quiet at Barkers' and it's a rarity to see anyone else there.
     Had a good day on my own today, you wouldn't normally see me with my top off but it was so hot I was absolutely dripping.  Not the best of days for climbing to be honest, all the handholds felt really slippery and insecure because of the heat.  The last problem, Tall Tales, a route I did in 2010, is my only new route at Scugdale.  I've failed to repeat it on my last few visits so was surprised today with conditions being like they were.  If your wondering why I'm in my underpants it's because my jeans just wouldn't give me the flexibility to reach the first foothold.  I failed five times with trousers on, took them off and got it first time!
     I don't take myself too seriously, all the routes are pretty easy by today's standards and I put music over the top to break the silence.

Free guides to all of Scugdales crags available from climbonline here

Ravensdale / Stoupe Brow - East Coast Bouldering

Barry and Bervert (the boulders) looking out to Robin Hoods Bay

Boulderfield

One of many failures

Barry - The biggest of big moors boulders

Left - Easier problems on the Little Boulder

Right - A great crack on Bervert

Steven doing a new problem on the Smugglers Block

Blue skies and good rock

     Ravensdale aka Stoupe Brow is high above the coast with a great outlook.  It's got two of the biggest boulders on the moors sat beneath a large cliff which has seen some development relatively recently.  It's also about a 2 minute walk-in/bushwhack.  Too much exercise is bad for me when it's hot and today was pretty warm.

     There were some great problems here on Bervert (the smaller boulder) but also on some of the other boulders that litter the hillside.  There were many failures for me but that only gives me a good reason to return.

     The seagulls didn't appreciate us going near the cliff today, unloading the occasional 'dirty bomb' as they tried to warn us away from their nests.  Ste managed a new line on the 'smugglers block', a short slopey lip traverse which I should have been able to do but couldn't.  The crack on the landward side of Bervert was a particular highlight, though apparently meant to be a sit-start it was great from standing.  I'm not a big fan of sit starts, most of the time they are all about strength rather than technique.  That's my excuse anyway, one of them, there's plenty more where that came from......

Photos and Video : NEClimber and Steven Phelps

A free guide to climbing at Stoupe Brow is available from climbonline here

A guide (50p) to bouldering at Stoupe Brow available from betaguides here