Collected Stealth at around 11 o'clock today fro some climbing at
Three Cliffs. I haven't climbed there for over two years except a
diff with Sara a few months back.
Stealth said that Andy would be coming down later becuse he wanted to
lead Scavenger. We got there, no Andy. I suggested
Gwyn's Route, HS. Stealth geared up for the
lead. He led it well and but missed out the crux move climbing it
slightly to the right. Actually he opted for the easier looking line.
It was in fact a little harder than the acutely overhanging line.
Still... my turn. First overhang ok. Second overhang, big round and
slippery hold for the left and small crimp for the right. Couldn't do
it. Perplexed. The velcro on my shoe came undone. I tried again but
I couldn't hang onto the slippery holds. I asked Andy for his chalk
bag. He chucked it up. Chalk worked and the move went easily.
Surprising how much chalk helps.
Andy seconded it without any fuss. On the walk back down I stubbed my
toe badly on a lump of rock. Painful. It started to go black.
Stealth then suggested I lead Perseverence,
HS. I'd never climbed it before; it looked polished.
Loads of gear though. The crux looked to be at the top though I
didn't notice it. Easy climbing.
Now... Andy's turn to lead Scavenger.
Stealth had his camera. I offered to Stealth to belay him but
insisted to Stealth that he second him becuase I wanted to lead
Scavenger in the near future. Black toe preclude me doing it today.
He appeared to me to agree.
Andy led Scavenger quickly and positively raced up the first 25 feet.
Andy shouted safe and I called to Stealth. He wasn't coming. He
insisted he wasn't coming. The long and short of it was that I
prussiked up Scavenger (no mean feat) to get Andy's gear and to avoid
climbing it. Needless to say I was pretty angry with Stealth.
Andy seemed a bit peeved that his climb of Scavenger ended in an
argument. It certainly wasn't Andy's fault.
Garry turned up and soon after so did Gwyn. We had all had a chat.
Sad to hear that Gwyn's mother has died recently.
Garry and I went off to climb leaving Stealth to his own
devices.
Garry led Perseverance and
Quartz Corner, HS. Perseverance seemd harder
seconding! Odd!
Packed up and looked for Stealth. No sign of him. Texted Andy and he
said that Stealth had texted him telling him that he had walked home!!
It was a beautiful evening and Garry and I remarked how lucky we were
to live on the edge of Gower.