A Running Start and New Crags

A good start to the month, 25km run in the first week and a good 7.3km run today to start off week two - despite been wet and gusty!



The hot spell has ended (for now I hope), and we're now back to normal April weather (showers).

Last weekend, Brad and I went to Fairy Cave Quarry for some climbing. I didn't lead anything but Brad bagged a couple of VS's.

Brad half way up Om Puri (VS 4c)

This weekend we visited a new crag, Croscombe Valley Cliffs. Situated just outside Croscombe in Ham Woods, this secluded little crag features steep pocketed limestone quite different from other crags in the area. The crag is popular with boulderers, but does have a few easier climbs as well.

Brad inspecting his rack

Clearing the route of cobwebs

After checking out the crag, Brad soloed up an easy route and we set up a top rope on one of the interesting looking parts of the wall. I climbed the route on my first attempt with a bit of struggling, then climbed it a second time without any assistance from the rope. I looked in the book and figured out it was graded 5a (HVS), which was a nice surprise.

I also lead an interesting corner crack called Lightning Crack (HS 4b). It's a good little climb, however bunny rabbits have excavated a lot of soil making the top out a bit of a struggle, but it was fun!

Lightning Crack (HS 4b)