Doves Nest Meet

Oh, yea of little faith, who did not make it to this meet, just because there was a wee bit of torrential rain in Keswick! The downpour missed Borrowdale, and Dove’s Nest Crag was not only dry but bathed in sunshine. Which just goes to show that it always (well, nearly always) worth making the effort.

It turned into a two-crag meet with Richard and Jon doing two routes – Brace Yourself and Rowan Grooves – on the little-trodden but delightfully named Twa Hummocks. They then joined the rest of the party on the main crag. The ‘classic’ Outside Route (which actually goes inside the crag for one pitch) received three ascents, so the chimney has been scoured clean of the last vestiges of jackdaw guano by struggling backs and shoulders. As ever the route provided ample entertainment for those watching, probably more so than for those performing in the caving pitch. But with belays in the sun, and a blisteringly blue sky, recovery from the exertions was soon at hand.

Jon and Richard took the harder line of Clubfoot, immaculate climbing up the steep slab; and Judith, John and Ian did a somewhat uncertain ascent of Adam’s Rib, which worked out alright, once the inglorious leader worked out that she was in the right place, it’s just that the rock is a bit mucky and the route definitely harder than advertised.

The beer in the Scafell Hotel slipped down well to round off the evening. The team was Ian, John M, Jon T, Michael H, Mike W, Val, Richard, and Judith – and no-one got wet and there were no benightments!

Judith