Karabiner Mountaineering Club

Next Midweek Evening Meet

All welcome. Please bring a head torch and thermals. We'll wait a week if Wednesday is wet.

Keep an eye on the Thursday Wall Scribble for Indoor Wall locations

The meets are held at local crags, normally every Wednesday evening, weather permitting. The "Next Crag" will be decided by those keen people who climb and vote in the pub at Windgather Rocks.

Some lucky people may be able to get out climbing nice and early, but this will vary depending on work hours and the travelling distance. Generally you should find KMC climbers at the crag by 6pm and some of us might still be there after its gone dark.

If you have any questions about coming along to a meet, or if you want to try and arrange car sharing, etc., then just send us an e-mail. Also - Keep a track of the Scribble for Wednesday

Previous Evening Meets for last 12 months

A breezy day! Fun had in Aladdin's Couloir, despite poor snow condition. Today's weather inspired next week's crag - Windgather!

Attended by Nick and Gareth, but only as ships that pass in the night. Some bouldering in conditions damp underfoot and underhand. Followed by dining and shopping?

Quarry to myself. Small patches of snow here and there. Smaller patches of dry rock. Parker's and Crew's (or is it now Kitty's?) shunted. Gareth.

Did some traversing, but no voting, so Hobson lives another seven days...

There: Dave, Gareth, Mountain Rescue Team.

It was green and vibrant, despite no apparent rain. A tryst with two tantalising teasers provided a tactile tenacity test. The outcomes, however, a forgone conclusion with Gareth at the helm. Quite a few distinctly powerful head torches keeping the place alight. Fortune favoured and we were rescued back to the pub for some lucky voting.

Attendee: Gareth

Report: Epic!!!

There Dave D and Gareth W.

The road from the Hex building is still closed. Rain swept the crag a few times but the routes were sheltered enough to allow continued fun. Didn't finish before closing time. Test Piece to Tailor Made and all in between fingered in some manner.

Present and Muddy: Gareth W and Nick A

Given the rain and darkness it was a surprisingly low turnout at the Den. Head torches on from the car. 3 routes ticked (three notch slab, Jive and Valeta), with tea inbetween. Jive notable for copious amounts of mud, worst top out EVER and mapping reading needed for the decent (via the golf course, we ended up in the back garden of a cattery!)

Looking like miners, it was off to the Church for beer, where Ready Shore Scout was voted for next week.

Present Oi Ding Koy, Nick Adamson, Dave Dillon.

There was a lot of that 'maelstroms mangled Manchester' stuff but some of it spread out to the hills. Got rained off. Forgot the guide books so we experienced that sort of 'new routing on sea cliffs doused with desalinated sea spray' type thing. Head torches. Golden sun over Manchester.

Members: Dave Dillon, Ozcan Yanik, Oi Ding Koy, Mark Ashley

Guests: Poetic Stonemason.

Started in sunshine and completed in starlight. None to full on in the head torch dept. Lept the stream on the way in and bridged out. Rebuffing routes rivalled routes routed.

More rain.

Rained off.

Members: Al Metelko, Jim Symon, Dave Dillon, Gareth Williams, Oi Ding Koy, Mark Ashley, Kevin Anderson, Andy Stratford, Laura Collier, Dave Wylie.

Guests: Andy Coulson, Alice Bowes, Jo Bell, Nick Adamson, Paul Marsden, Ozcan Yanik

Good selection of routes climbed on a lovely sunny warm evening by the 16 members and guests tonight including six continuous traverses of the back wall by Kevin. Ouch!

The other trad routes included The Harp(HS 4b), Crews Route (VS 4c), Pocket Wall (V diff), Gideon, Grain of Sand(VS 5a), Tighes Arete, Parkers Eliminate, Epitaph Corner, Midnight Variation.

Last two routes were started in the dark with headtorches which made Nick very happy.

Five crags voted on for next week with the 'sunset special' venue of Cows Mouth narrowly eclipsing Shining Clough.

Members: Al Metelko, James Williams, Carolyn Mills, Andy Stratford, Mark Ashley, Oi Ding Koy

Guests: Nick Adamson, Paul Marsden, Ozcan Yanik, Petra

The attractive urban location brought the wednesday regulars out in droves to experience the high quality gritstone bouldering.

After 30 minutes and heavy rain we left for the Chinese.

Ding ordered our dinner which we had to cook ourselves at the table on portable gas stoves in two huge bowls stacked with chilli flavoured water.

Giant prawns, squid, scallops, mussels, fish balls, chicken knuckles, beef, liver, tripe and various bean curd delicacies including the teabags were consumed by the hungry team.

Voting for next wednesday saw Hobson Moor beat Bosley Cloud into second place.

Members: Gareth Williams, Carolyn Mills, Andy Stratford, Mark Ashley, Oi Ding Koy

Guests: Ozcan Yanik

Genius idea to bolt those routes on the bridge pillar. Made for some very interesting 'dressed gritstone sport climbing'.....Gareth managed to lead each of the 4 aretes on the main pillar and Andy one, with most others toproping at least one. The last one started in the dark with a headtorch (Where was Nick?) Roll on winter!

A couple of Trad routes on the loose steep cliff under the viaduct included Ozcan's first HVS lead 'Deception' at 5a. 'The Overlooked Groove' (HS 4b) Andy & Ding , Cracked Corner (HS 4b) Mark & Ozcan.

Pride of the Peak hosted the voting with 'The Pumphouse', Fallowfield winning over Hobson Moor.

Voting was swayed by an agreement to be at the 'Tai Pan' (81-97 Upper Brook Street Manchester M13 9TX) at 8.30pm for an ''end of season'' meal for the regular wednesday crowd (and any others who want to join us). Ding recommends the ''Showboat'' meal to share.......

New Mills Tors rained off.

Stockport Wall for Andy Stratford, Carolyn Mills, James Williams, and guests Ozcan Yanik & Andy Coulson

New Mills gets another chance.

Enjoying the high life in Helsby were: Jim S, Paul E, Carolyn M, Gareth W, Nick A

Early start by Jim and Paul, bagged them several routes before the others arrived, and allowed Paul to concentrate on photos for the rest of the evening. Gareth made an impressive ascent of Morgue Slab (E2 5b) just in time to see the fabulous sunset from high up on the hill and the other routes climbed were: Twin Caves Crack (S 4a), Grooved Slab (VS 4a), Eliminate 1 (E1 5b), Agag (VS 4c) and as some training for the coming months an ascent of Flake Crack (HVS 5a) was done just as day turned into night.

On the way down Gareth's trainers learned why they had never been outdoors before and why they will remain outdoors for ever more. Helsby Arms for drinks and crisps and after only 1 round of votes New Mills voted in for next week (BBQ optional!)

Optimism won the Scribble debate, and was rewarded with a dry evening, no guns, but plenty of mountain rescue folk out training (not on KMC members).

Present and climbing: Paul Marsden, Andy Coulson, Nick Adamson, James Williams, Gareth Williams.

Routes climbed: Orange Wall (VS 4c), Orange Crack (HS 4b), Parallel Cracks (S 4a), Forked Cracks (VS 4c) and Central Crack (HVS 5a).

Lessons learnt: tea CAN be drunk through a midge-net!

Voted in for next week: Helsby.

Curious soles whose toes followed their nose: Andy S, Al M, Trish C, Gareth W, Carolyn M, Mark A, Roger D, Ding, James W, Nick A, Oscan Y, Philip and Andy

Eventually the time came when the Teggs Nose dream was realised, and with a lovely sunny evening, a beautiful sunset, some high altitude gardening opportunities and steel bars to abseil from, it didn't disappoint. Those who arrived first bagged some early solo routes, then with the small crag at almost full capacity, every recorded route was then climbed by somebody at some point, with a handful of other unrecorded routes also being done in between. Although intriguing, the nearby leather bar was snubbed in favour of Puss in Boots for drinks afterwards, where Wilton 3 was chosen for next week.

Rained off

Members: Andy Stratford, Carolyn Mills

Guests: Nick Adamson, Ozcan Yanik

This always had the potential for low attendance due to relatively long walk in (for a weds!), off putting descriptions of blocked up laybys and general obscurity but we all thought it very worth the effort - the location, quality of rock and height of routes was superb. And surprisingly it wasn't green. We shall return.

Ozcan continued moving up the leading grades with a solid effort on Smiler (HS 4b) followed by Andy. Both Carolyn and Andy led the crag classic 'twin crack corner' a worthy VS 4b followed by Nick and Ozcan. Fairy Nuff (VS 5a) succumbed to Carolyn after a bit of a tussle.

Just made it to the cars before it went dark then a quick one in 'The Clarence'. After many weeks of being proposed the infamous Teggs Nose finally got the vote - unanimous this week!

Members : John Cox, Mark Garrod, Andy Stratford, Dave Wylie, Mark Ashley, Koy Oi Ding, Carolyn Mills and Guests: Nick Adamson, Ozcan Yanik, Emma Collins

Great turnout on a lovely balmy summers evening especially considering the number of members at the Alps meet. Mark Garrod & Dave were the early starters with John making a surprise but most welcome appearance.

Quite a few routes solo'd by Carolyn, Nick, Ding, Mark G and Dave.

New man Ozcan continued his leading adventures with a solid effort on Great Slab Arrete (HVD) - a route also led by Dave, Mark Ash and Nick.

The two pitch Great Slab (VS 4c) saw leads from Andy and Carolyn but both were bitten by the pitch two fist crack. Nasty!

Pygmy wall (HS 4b) was led up by Mark Ash & Andy.

Carolyn led the way up the not-so-Crispy Crack but slightly-in-need-of-gardening crack (HVS 5a) followed by various others.

Andy led the delicate pebble gripping fest of Great Slab Right (HVS 4c) followed by several others.

Many other routes were climbed - far too many to record with us finally making 'The Clarence' at 10pm ish.

With five crags on the table the voting came down to Wilton 3 Vs Standing Stones and in the end it was John Cox's standing stones winning out the day.

Carolyn asked when he was last there and if it might be green: after a pause the reply..."...ohh, sometime in the 60's''...... accompanied by a sly grin!

Members: Mark Garrod, Jim Symon, Andy Stratford, Dave Shotton, Mark Ashley, Koy Oi Ding,

Guests: Ozcan Yanik, David Kirsfelds.

Jim led mostly overhangs, keen prospective new member Ozcan arrived with shiny new gear and managed to scratch it on his first 3 leads ably belayed by el presidente. All others had a good session before the drizzle set in at 9pm. Beers in the Swan and voting with Alderman rocks narrowly beating Cows Mouth by a hoof.

Trish Cranston, Gareth Williams, Nick Adamson Andy Stratford, Al Metelko, Jason

Excellent conditions, superb routes, just made last orders!

No report, rolls over to next week.

Members: Andy Stratford, Gareth Williams, Carolyn Mills, James Williams, Peter McNulty. Guests: NIck Adamson, Neil Britton, Jack Buczko, Paul 'mars bar' Marsden, John Jeffries, Ozcan Yanik

A fine evening with a huge turnout of guests and new faces to compliment the usual suspects. (As an alternative to the cryptic Dillon style meet report here is an old fashioned one with a list of what people did!)

Metamorphosis(VS 4c) had leads from Andy, Neil and Carolyn and seconded by Nick, Paul, Ozcan and Gareth. Wedge (HS 4b) led by Neil and Nick and seconded by Jack and Ozcan. Nightmare Crack(VS 4b) led by Neil and seconded by Jack. Birthday Crack (VS 4c) led by Andy and Neil and seconded by Paul and Jack. Glister Wall (S 4a) led by Paul seconded by Andy. Many Happy Returns (HVS 5a) led Gareth seconded by Carolyn. Terror Cotta (HVS 5a) led by Gareth seconded by Carolyn. First Finale led by Carolyn, seconded by Gareth. Edipol! (HS 4b) led by James seconded by Nick. Whitakers original (HS 4a) led by nick seconded by Ozcan. Andy attempted Samarkand (VS 4c) but was beaten off by the 'traditional' start.

The midges saw us off and we retreated to the lucianos for voting. Witches Quarry beating Tegs Nose by a Nose. Car sharing recomended as parking is limited, check the scribble board Tuesday.

In attendance: dave wylie, carolyn mills, andy stratford.

Shades of last year with the twice postponed meet finally happening with a reduced quotient of wednesday regulars. Carolyn showed us her Fairy Steps followed ever so daintily by Andy and Dave.

Andy led up The Main Line - the only slab route in the predominantly overhanging quarry and met the crag cat at the top.

As the last meet at Anglezarke was so slimy and wet we decided to give this excellent venue another chance.

Will it ever stop raining!

Rained off

Soggy yorkshire crags are not our bag. Andy Stratford and Blaise Harvey met potential new member Ozcan Yanik and did a fine evenings indoor routing at Stockport. Looking forward to the sun shining for heptonstall next week.

Trish Cranston, Blaise Harvey, Carolyn Mills, James Williams, Gareth Williams, Nick Adamson Andy Stratford, Colin Maddison, Jim Symon, Al Metelko

The group amassed a good number of routes at Totty then spreading out later into Long Wall.

Greeks Present: James Williams, Carolyn Mills, Nick Adamson, Dave Shotton, Frazer, Dave Wylie, Peter McNulty, Blaise Harvey, Andy Stratford, Oi Ding Koy, Mark Asley, Al Metelko, Trish Cranston, Dave Dillon, Jim Symon.

No falls, submittions, head torches etc. Good clean fun. Round Barn Quarry lives for another day.

Andy Stratford, Dave Wylie, Carolyn Mills, Trish Cranston, Al Metelko, James Williams.

Sunny evening, surprisingly dry after all the recent rain, midge free but not quite slug free. Routes ranged from S to E1. Voting for next weeks crag happened in the car park as the pub was closed!!

Amassed Bob Milward, Joe Flynn, James Williams, Carolyn Mills, Mark Ashley, Dave Dillon.

Many of Mohammed's paths followed finishing on time for voting in the Cavendish. Superbly controlled slo-mo screamers. Continental gear. Sunset. Sand. Squamish pipped by Wilton 1 in favour of zero midge intent.

Present: Carolyn Mills and Gareth Williams.

Three excellent routes climbed in super weather: Eliminate 1 (E1 5b), Wood's Climb (HVS 5a) and Golden Pillar (HVS 5b), the latter with a fine forking finish!

On the Naze: Gareth, Mark, James, Al, Trish

What a fabulous sunny evening, rock perfect I almost followed Gareth bare footed up Scoop Face.

In the Pits: Dave Wylie, Trish Cranston, Gareth Williams, Nick Adamson, Oi Ding Koy, Jim Symon, James Williams, Dave Dillon.

No midges. Plumb Line's delights explored. The spanner approached from all angles. Gear testing. A route in the dark for winters sake. The Church for voting.

There in body: Dave Wylie, Dave Dillon, Andy Stratford, Gareth Williams.

No midges. No Sun. Moon showed up. Wind chill. Interesting Yorkshire grades. Aid route. Head torches. Numb bits. Large baby bouncer. Pub by crest of the hill.

Present: Blaise Harvey, Andy Stratford, Jim Symon, Mark Garrod, Al Metelko, Trish Cranston, Neil, Gareth Williams, Nick Adamson, Dave Dillon.

Approached from various pubs. Chicken with an ice axe. Loads of routes in the light, some in the sun. An obligatory route in the dark (with gear testing). Staggered voting in the Summit. Gareth set his target of leading any E1 by the height of summer.

Damp conditions in Manchester didn't deter the trio in attendance: Carolyn Mills, Nick Adamson, Gareth Williams.

Some slimy leading: Wedge (HS 4b), Nightmare (VS 4b), Whittaker's Original (HS 4a), Alldred's Original (VDiff). The latter climbed by headtorch carrying packs, as a more attractive exit to the quarry than reversing the descent scramble.

Lighter evenings now: hoping more members will come out as the light (and weather?) improves.

There: Al Metelko, Nick Adamson, Dave Dillon

Some traffic. Wobbley roads. Location learning curve. Nice sunset. No moon. A Bazillian stars. Intro Wall, Green Piece then The Summit. Painted route initials.

Two attendees: Nick Adamson, Gareth Williams.

Dense mist. Correction to navigation confirmed by (brand) new technology. Some dry rock found. Two routes (Cornette and Right Corner). Nice to be on grit (as opposed to resin).

Present: Nick Adamson, Al Metelko, Dave DIllon

Forgot guide books. Bouldering at the bridge end to warm up. Well lit. Climbed one route from the path. A corner route 15 feet from path. Bush clearing. Last years brambles. Cleared way to three routes in all. Voting in pub.

Present Al Metelko, Dave Dillon.

No Guns present, young or old. Two routes and two descents. The moon joined us for a while. Didn't really need head torches, but occasionally used them just to show willing.
Retired to the posh pub for a yak.