Another full day at work but Stuart, Ryan and Robin decided to try Rob's Rocks after work. After some confusion over the parking, we all ended up at Dovestones Reservoir parking and set off on the walk up towards Chew Reservoir.
Once up at the crag, there was a climb with Stuart's name all over it, the description started with "Enter the innards of the crag". Needless to say Stuart wanted to lead it !
Getting ready
Stuarts lead - YInosd Rib, a 3 star HVD
Stuart headed off into the cave and started the climb up, once a ledge was reached the shuffle out to the face began. Stuart in his natural caving environment, passed through with his body horizontal without too much fuss and sat laughing on the ledge at the exit.
Robin followed in a similar manner
Then it was Ryan's turn, the climb in the cave was fine, the shuffle out to the ledge less so. The initial attempt was too high where the slot narrowed, he wouldn't fit so shuffled back, after lots of advice was given he attempted the more horizontal approach, sadly his helmet didn't quite fit through, once it halted progress Ryan had to unclip and leave his helmet in situ to escape the slot before retrieving it with much hilarity from Stuart and Robin. The rest of the climb passed without incident although the helmet still bares the scars.
Ryan's lead next and the climb we longed to have a go at.
Nameless One - VS 4b
Ryan set off and was making solid progress up the vertical face until the final piece of gear was placed and the final move made. Unexpectedly his hand jam unjammed and he fell dragging Stuart into the slab at the bottom to blood both his knees. The final piece of gear held and after a dangling rest, Ryan finished the climb and topped out.
Robin seconded taking the gear out
Robin's lead next - Stairway Arete VS 4a was started but after a few moves abandoned due to lack of gear. The next climb to it was Stairway Flake Crack HS 4b and that was chosen after a couple of false starts, Stuart and Ryan followed up.
With the sun starting to set we decided to call it a day so we could walk back in daylight.
We walked back to the cars and headed off to the Huntsman for a well earned pints and snacks.
