Jean Jeanie - Trowbarrow
Went to Trowbarrow last night after work, there's only just enough light now to do a route when you finish at 6pm. Met Glyn, at the foot of the Main Wall, the one famous for Al Evans & his monkey.. oh and the amazing fossils all over it. The right hand end still looks scarey as ever, but no new rockfall from last winters freeze, I wonder what this winter will bring. We climbed the ultra-classic Jean Jeanie. I was hoping Glyn would lead, as I have had a very active week & was a little fatigued, but I was given the sharp end. So I battled with the Jeanie, knowing it as an old adversary, that I have fought before. Sometimes it has had the better of me & occasionally I of it. You all know the feeling, mixed emotions as you set off, knowing the point of no return is only a few moves up & then your in a sea of Limestone, fighting your way up the route. And like the night before, with Nicola on Pavey Ark, the on-set of darkness wasn't far away. Suffice to say, I got to the top, pretty pumped, and in need of a big drink of water (beer comes later) due to a very dry, partched mouth.
My new Marmot Variant jacket was perfect fo the job & kept me warm & happy whilst I belayed. Glyn climbed in his usual style & came panting over the top, making expletives about Jesus & apologising to the Lord as he does. We set off to the pub at Sandside with the moon bathing the walls of Trowbarrow in her beautiful silver light, feeling happy & content.
Its funny, but great to re-climb the same lines. Always different, but always the same. Until the next affair.... how long will that main wall remain in-tact?
Charlie
