Winter has arrived!

This morning saw the first frost of the autumn. Which for me, means it winter! Quite early for mid October, but I hope its a good omen for the rest of the winter.

Brad I and have been itching to get out climbing for the last week, and the forecast wasn't looking good early on for today. But, gradually as the week progressed and the forecast got more accurate, it turned out to be a sunny if not chilly day.

A fairly early start, we arrived at the quarry about 9.30am. We first headed over to Caveman (VS 5a) - the climb I took my fall on a couple of weeks go. After some coffee I geared up and got ready to climb it. I put my feet on the shallow sloping foot holds and placed my first bit of protection. By the time I was ready to move again my fingers had gone numb. The rock was so cold, and even the friction of my smearing shoes couldn't stay on for long. After a few attempts I decided it was too cold and left it. I'll be back to it though, if it gets any warmer this year!

Most of the good climbing (the non loose stuff) in the quarry of on the east side, so does not get the sun until later in the day. But at this time of year it doesn't get any usually. So we tried something a little easier.

I lead my way up Truffle (HS 4b), then fixed a top rope so Brad could have a go at Toblerone - the E1 I lead a few weeks ago. I went first and gave Brad some beta on the climb. Then he clipped in and gave it a go.

After a nervy start, he climbed it successively three times in a row. He's going to practice it a little more though before he leads it.

Next I suggested he lead Summer Daze (HS 4b) which I climbed on my last visit. Brad led it well, but today I didn't feel as confident on it as last time. Again, I think this was down to the temperature of the rock.

After some lunch and a bit of pondering, I decided to climb the route I first ascended and named last year unimaginably called Bonner's Route (HVD). It has suffered a bit from the crappy weather of late, and there's a bit more mud about on the second pitch which made me divert to the arete of the upper slab - which had a couple of nice moves around 4b.

We called it a day after abseiling down and headed to the pub for a couple of pints.

I was a little disappointed not to finish Caveman, but it was about 10 degrees warmer a couple of weeks ago! Its not going anywhere though.