Page 29 - AMA Winter 2023/24

PEAK
DISTRICT
MEET
Edward Brooker-McGee
So, it had been a long week at work and I was looking forward to a break at the weekend. I was glad
to have put my name down for the Peaks North Meet over the weekend 28 – 30 Jul 23. I’ve been a member of the AMA since 2017 but had never gotten around to attending a weekend meet – always planned to, but never actually put my name forward. Wanting to get out into the hills more with like-minded people, I was keen to start and get involved.
As usual, the weekend began with the obligatory meeting at our accommodation in Thorpe Farm Bunkhouses. Yes, it was a bit basic but hey, it’s a weekend in the hills and on rock so I wasn’t really bothered as long as I had somewhere to sleep. With everyone arriving at different times it was a fairly relaxed evening of sorting kit and getting to sleep. The town and pub were a bit of a walk from the bunkhouse, so I was glad to have packed a few tins of my own to chill with while having a chat about the following two days.
Sat in the morning safety brief, we went through the different activities and groups making sure that everyone was covered. As a climber who hadn’t used ropes outdoors in a while, I was keen to just get out and climb, handle rope and gear and if I could, build some anchors and systems. I was paired with Pete Goodfellow, a rock multi-pitch leader as my second, so was pleased to be receiving some quality one-on-one instruction. We also had a group of walkers who were catered for by a mountain leader thus giving everyone an opportunity to get out and do something meaningful.
Under mountain leader Ibby Nevill, the hiking group embarked on an epic challenge – the Hope Valley Round: a 35km circuit of 1373m elevation, from
Heathersage out past Castleton and back. Some keen walkers might have packed more in their “day sacks’’ than required, but what a challenge to come together and attempt. Awesome effort and they completed it in under eight and a half hours.
As for the rest of us, we headed to Stanage North and the High Neb Crag to explore. I’ve been out trad climbing a few times before but I’m mainly an indoors climber. Clear but a bit windy, it was a good day and we slowly worked through several low grades to build confidence. Grit is enter- taining and VERY different from indoor climbing but with guidance from Pete, I managed to slowly progress through confidence and competence. After a few entertaining moves and getting stuck in a few places, the arms tired and we were keen to get back by sunset.
That evening we frequented the local Indian restaurant and even though the walkers were late arriving, we all managed to order in time. It was good to chill at the end of a hard day’s climbing and hiking, to sit around together, to have a drink, and to get protein and carbs back in the system. As usual, I ate far too much but managed a few beers which was the main thing. After a short walk around the town of Hope and another drink in the ‘local,’ we headed back up the hill, appreciating the walk to burn off some of the excess food and booze.
The next day was the usual, weather and safety brief after breakfast, then we headed back out to the wall of rock that is Stanage. I wasn’t feeling that great, so I didn’t smash
the climbing too much. Still good to get out and onto some grit though. The walkers, some sore from the day before, wandered onto the Downs for a short local walk and then down to town for a brief stroll along the high street. Naturally they had to pop into the Montane shop for their prize (a photo to put on the shop’s wall). The weather was not as dry as the previous day, and the wind was much cooler. After getting some routes in we too came off the rock and headed into town for coffee and cake before departing.
What a great weekend we had. As a newcomer to these meets, I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s so simple! Just book a place and turn up, and the more the merrier. For me personally, it helped me to gain the confidence to attend further AT rock climbing courses and time in the outdoors is priceless. Additionally, as a reservist, I appreciated meeting individuals from other units and learning about what they do and how they work. Before signing off I must give a big shout out to Arthur Daley for leading on these weekends, booking the accommodation, and making them run smoothly. Also hats off to Ibby and the hikers, what a day they had!
ARMY MOUNTAINEER / 29