With the summer here and campsites opening up again, June was time for the club to make a return to Dartmoor.
Those of us blessed with more flexible working arrangements were able to make the most of the good weather on the Friday and head down early. Lizzie and I met Alastair at Torquay to brave the cold sea and enjoy some DWS in the sun – getting on Plimsol Line and Aqua Marina. Meanwhile Dave and Lisa managed to make a stop at Chudleigh and tick off two of the crag’s classics – Jollies Route and Inkerman Groove. We all then headed to Cockingford campsite to pitch up and await everyone to arrive before enjoying an evening chat outside and getting to know the local midges.
Lizzie enjoying Plimsol Line in the sun
Alastair on Aqua Marina
Saturday morning brought some good weather and the trip split into two main climbing groups while Anne set off to enjoy a walk around Dartmoor. Alastair, Julian, Mike, Laura, Kieran and Simon headed up the road to Haytor where Matt was meeting them after setting off from Bristol early that morning. The Haytor contingent enjoyed getting up some of the best routes on Dartmoor, ticking off (amongst others) Raven Gully, Levitation, Aramis, Aviation and Haggis.
Simon on Athos at Haytor
Meanwhile myself, Lizzie, Dave, Lisa, Paul and James made the drive down to the Dewerstone – a taller crag nestled in the woods at the edge of the national park with lots of high quality multipitch routes. Dave and Lisa got up Colonel’s Arete, Leviathan and Climbers’ Club Ordinary while Lizzie and I got up Central Groove, Fly on the Wall before following Dave and Lisa up Climber’s Club Ordinary. Paul and James climbed Fly on the Wall and the jamming crack of Climbers’ Club Direct before Paul enjoyed a swim in the river.
Lizzie on the first pitch of Central Groove
The days activities were ended to head back to Widecombe where we had tables booked at the Old Inn (bookings which the Dewerstone lot only just made it back in time for). We got to enjoy some great food and drinks to replenish ourselves before heading back to the campsite.
Sunday the weather was less kind to us as we woke to a rainy morning and a poor forecast for the rest of the day. We packed up and left the campsite but all was not lost as Simon headed out to explore the West of Dartmoor, Simon managed a run of the Hay and Hound Tor loop and Julian and Anne set off to explore Dawlish Warren, drying off with a coffee at the Turf Lock Hotel on the Exeter Canal.
All in all a successful trip and we look forward to the next club visit to Dartmoor!
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