With Jake back from South America, and a brief window before starting 3rd year at Med School, he was keen for a quick fix of Peak trad climbing. We settled on Cratcliffe, somewhere he’d never been and with a handful of outstanding routes.

First up was Suicide Wall, which is a tough HVS and well deserving of its place in Hard Rock.

Then on to Fern Hill and an Extreme Rock tick. I led this about 20 years ago, but can’t quite remember how! Desperate! Jake styled it, of course.

Finally another ER tick, but of a different nature. Five Finger Exercise certainly provides a good work out!

The next day, Helen and I continued our exploration of esoteric limestone sports routes with a visit to Water cum Jolly and the little visited Two Tier Buttress.

It was a gorgeous day and a pretty place

…but the climbing, once we’d found it, left quite a lot to be desired!