I little bit of wind and rain was not going to stop the dynamic duo ( The Double ‘A’s) from getting onto the rock this weekend, albeit another visit to Giggleswick. Slippery slopers gave an additional dimension to Three Steps to Heaven (5c**), Centerpiece (6a*) and Debbie Direct (6a+**). To the left of Woodcutter’s Buttress are a number of recently added lines that remain unnamed (5c/6a*). The Main Area offered up First Plaice (5) and the now bolted Moribund (6a+*) and as the mist swept in from the west, we got to the third bolt on September Flake (6a+***) before progress was brought to an abrupt and wet end and the maillon was deployed.

This little and innocuous looking buttress packs a bit of a punch with each of the routes, Buddy Red Cat (5); Rat Poison (6a*); Atomic Kitten (6a*); Over the Garden Wall(5+), Crazy Paver (6a+*) and The Constant Gardner (6a**) providing a sting in their tail.

Getting established on Alan’s Crack is tough at the best of times, but after the morning’s deluge, the ominous green bloom repelled our advances and we retreated around the corner to Fag Slab Variant (VS**), which turned out to be no less a challenge and a test of gear placement and belayer attention.

Pig Traverse (HS**) has its moments, but with bomber gear on the crux and warm sun working its magic, we managed to stay attached to the rock and provided a great finale to an exciting if challenging afternoon.

Six stalwarts of Tuesday Night Rock turned out for a night of Quidditch. With quaffles in hand, our chasers and beaters engaged to battle with Halloween Outing (S 4a); Witches Brew (HS 4B*) and The Shrew (VS 4b*), while the keeper and blocker maintained the outer field on Mouldheel (VD) and Serenity (S 4a**). With the snitch in our sights, the seeker chased up Peel Off (VS 4c ***) with the team in hot pursuit.

We departed to the Leaky Cauldron in good time for the witching hour!

The CMC hard core (AKA old core) had a great evening on short but steep trad’ limestone overlooking the spectacular arena Malham Cove. 

While a couple of youngsters (probably no older that 60) hung around on Central Wall, crowds gathered to watch the CMC’s dynamic team tackle Pedestal Wall (S*), Straight Crack (HS*) and Crazy Paving (VS**), the improbable line of which was, on its own, worth the outing.