We headed to Gimmer Crag in the Lake District some multi-pitch action (...is this a a 4th Thursday off? Did any of us do any work in April?!?). The target climb was Ash Tree Slabs (VD)
We split into 2 groups as usual. Robin & Ryan swing-leading, Rachel and myself with me block leading.
Robin started leading Ryan up the slab, then I led up Rachel.
We all met again at the Ash Tree Ledges for a bit of lunch.
After lunch Robin & Ryan started to work on 'C' route (S 4b), but Robin felt too unprotected to commit to a move so changed to 'A' route (S 4a) as it was to the left of it
As I'd watched Robin find all the ways not to do 'C' route, I focused in an area more to the right of where he'd been struggling and managed to start the route. Pleasant enough climbing followed, although I did feel a little run out at times as I was running out of nuts (this route eats them for breakfast, lunch and tea!) so had to conserve gear placement to have enough options for the hanging belay!! I had to have a word with myself a few times to carry on going given the holds were all positive - it was just a head-game
Robin & Ryan had finished 'A' route and were waiting at the top for me and Rachel to finish up 'C' route
We had a quick snack before heading back down the hill (snapping a picture of Scafell Pike in the distance)
Once the gear had been unloaded at the cars, we went into the New Dungeon Ghyll for a drink and a bit of birthday cake to celebrate another orbit around the sun a few days earlier for me
