Went climbing with Barney Whiteside last night, should have been running in the Saunders Mountain Marathon in the Klets class, but didn't feel up to it, so opted for working in the day, to clear up a few things, then off to White Ghyll Langdale last night. We did a route called 'Perhaps Not' & on the 2nd & 3RD Pitch you could see why they named it that!! Suspect rock & gear placements on the second pitch led to an off balance & slightly in-secure belay, followed by an open groove chimney to a pretty commiting move to reach more holds, albit big, but again, slightly suspect. I watched Barney struggle abit & then on reaching the big flat crucial hold cutting completely loose & swinging his feet towards the safety of new foot holds & reaching the belay. Wish I had had my camera.... sorry but no pics. Suffice to say, the belay was a bit rubbish..... The last pitch was a joy of face climbing on excellent rough lakeland volcanic. A classic lakeland outing, with a variation of styles. A bit peaky in places, but what an amazing route, especially when you realise it was led in 1949. Jim Birkett & Len Muscroft were hard tough guys. Barney & I climbed it with just wires & rocks, friends & hexs would have made it more secure, but Jim & Len would have climbed it in plimsoles or maybe hobnails, with a hemp rope & pegs as the best bit of kit they had. Full on!! Its raining today, but it we need it..... Hopefully we are due more as well.

I was using a GoLite Peak Pack to carry my gear in, its the first time I have used one, I new I would like it, as I love the Jam & have always wanted a smaller version. GoLite have done a good job here, as they hyave kept with the Jam, but added a few good features, which I am yet to use. I will comment on these later after I have used it a bit more. I also took my Montane Fireball Primaloft top, even though its been very warm, I figured the wind could knock the edge off it & I was right. I was glad I did. I think the fireball is a great bit of kit, just the right fit for climbing, running & hanging around, but I think the addition of a quantum pertex hood, that zips into the collar would be a good thing, no doubt it would increase the price, but I has a cold head & forgot to take a hat, it is mid-summer after all. So in that instance, a hood would have been great. Look out for these tops at the start of September, tyhey are a must for running, climbing & fast & light travel in mountainous regions.

More on the Montane Fireball & GoLite Peak very soon. 

Charlie