Page 38 - 2016 AMA Spring

Easy to use.
Tough & waterproof.
Wye Valley
Climbing Meet 2015
By Ryan Lang
This is the fourth year in a row that I have arranged the Wye Valley climbing meet. Year 1 had great weather, Year 2 and 3 had rain on at least one day. Therefore I was starting to think that Wye Valley in October may not be the best time to run the meet. However in for a penny, in for a pound, I arranged the 4th meet as it had now become a habit. I am glad I did as the weather was great for both days! 17 people arrived at the Olde Ferrie Inn throughout the evening, each grabbing a bed, some dinner and a few beers, not necessarily in that order. As I booked people in I realised that I had 2 Pauls, 2 Matts and 2 Ryans within the group. Mental note to self, I had to make sure that they were not in the same group the next day otherwise it could get just a little confusing!
The Saturday morning began with the usual Olde Ferrie Inn full English breakfast, which was more than enough to keep everyone fuelled for the day ahead. Although this year we decided to be sociable and have breakfast at 0900, giving everyone a lie-in and also allowing the sun to burn off what was left of the mist. After the safety brief, everyone was paired up with an instructor for day. The novices worked with Paul Smith (author of Top Tips for Climbing Coaches) and the rest of the group climbed with the various levels of JSAT qualified instructors.
In our group there was Daz, Liz, John and I. We climbed as two pairs and did, Snoozin Suzie (VDiff), Golden Fleece (HSevere), Vertigo(Severe) and Joyce’s Route (Severe).
Toughtags Poster_Toughtags Postcard 29/11/2009 10:04 Page 1
The other groups spread themselves out along all the routes that Symonds Yat has to offer, whilst the novices group spent the day at Plump Hill quarry under the guidance of Paul.
In the late afternoon, most opted to get back to the bar and have a few beers whilst watching the Rugby World Cup. A 3 course dinner was served for all at 1900, no-one attempted a man v food competition this year, therefore Al Kirk is still the reigning champion from 2014! Dinner was followed by a few more beers in an attempt to secure a good nights sleep over the various snorers that introduced themselves the night before.
The Sunday saw most of us head down to Wintours Leap so that we could make the most of the dry rock and many multi-pitch routes on offer. Liz, Ryan (2) and I opted to climb the classic 2 star Central Rib Route 1. Due to the time we finished breakfast then drove to the crag, we opted to climb the route with daysacks, therefore allowing us to top out and head back to the cars.
During the 4 pitch route we covered belay building and stance management. Prize of the day goes to Daz for picking a route where the crux was all the bushes he had to fight through to get to each belay! Paul and his group progressed onto lead climbing in a multi-pitch environment.
All in all the weekend was a success thanks to the instructors, students and weather. Did I say at the start of this article that the Wye Valley in October may not be the best venue? Oops, the 2016 meet has already been arranged!
Personalise your gear.
www.toughtags.co.uk
36 ARMY MOUNTAINEER
AMA Spring 2016 text.indd 36
01/07/2016
15:42