Windgather

Participants: Andy Stratford, Caro Churchill, Robert Clark, Dan Arrowsmith, Nathalie Lacroix, Anisa Aslam (prospective)

It was anyone's guess whether this mid-week meet was going to happen at all. For hours before the meet, the KMC mid-week Whatsapp group pinged with weather updates and rainy memes from all over the UK. The sun was shining in North Wales, over the Menai Strait and in Manchester, but it was chucking it down in Marple and Disley. Who knew what it would be like in the Windgather microclimate? Luckily Andy S, in a selfless act of bravery, decided to get there early and report back on the weather situation. The verdict was unequivocal: "Blue sky!" And so, a small but perfectly formed group of keen enthusiasts gathered for an evening's climb in what turned out to be a glorious evening.

Andy S first led Mississippi Crack and Nose Direct with Caro following, then Caro and Nat followed Andy up High Buttress Crack Direct, which finishes over the small overhang on the right. This was a bit of a theme for both Andy and Rob..... who then led Struggle (VS), another short overhanging route that Caro found was aptly named! Andy followed up after soloing Wall Climb, Chockstone Chimney and The Other Corner. Rob and Andy then went to South Buttress where Rob tackled the roof and jugs of the steep Editor’s Note (VS 5a). Andy led the inconsequential and misnamed Overhanging Arete and then finally a route he’d not done called Overlapping Wall at HS4b with another roof to get over. 11 routes in total for Andy.

Rob and Anisa took turns leading Wall Climb (VD) & Chockstone Chimney (D).

Caro led Broken Groove (D) with Nat seconding.

Meanwhile, a late arrival by Dan saw him solo on-sight 8 routes a very short space of time: Overlapping Wall (S4A), Red Wall Traverse (F3), Route 1.5 (HVS4C), Two Steep Walls (F3), Small Overhang (F3), Cave Diversion (F3) Hole in the Wall (F4+), Overhanging Arete (VD).

The evening would not have been the same without the refreshments kindly provided by prospective Anisa. Her homemade bakes were appreciated by the whole party and we all think this should become a pre-requisite for any prospectives joining future meets!

Nathalie Lacroix