Whilst climbing at Wintour's Leap, Wye Valley, Gareth had the crazy idea of returning another day, climbing 200 feet up the 300 foot North Wall, and "bivvying" on the Great Ledge. So... that's what we did! Involved in this crazy... but it has to be said... marvellous idea were Gareth, Martin and Stuart.
Arriving at about 7:30 pm on the Friday, we walked into the valley and proceeded to climb immediately, conscious of the limited amount of day light that was left (we all fixed helmet lights just in case). Stuart led the first pitch and Gareth led pitches two and three. At each stage, we (Gareth!) had to haul our bags up on a seperate rope so that we'd have our sleeping bags etc.
The light and time disappeared quickly and Martin and Stuart both ended up climbing pitch three in the dark; Martin used his helmet lamp but Stuart, who presumably eats lots of carrots, managed to do it by touch alone!
At the Great Ledge, we secured ourselves to handy pegs and trees and set up camp: sleeping bags, mats and "bivvy bags" to keep out the elements. A gourmet meal was cooked by each climber using a range of portable stoves and a good time was had. We probably went to sleep around midnight.... but were awake at a quarter to four in the morning! Or... first light as the local wildlife would have it. There wasn't much point sleeping any more so after lying around for a bit, we got up, had breakfast (including some excellent pancakes made by Stuart) and then climbed the remaining pitch to the top.
On arrival home, Martin explained to Bekky what he'd been up to and she said "Ahh, you had a sleepover with your friends"!
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| Stuart sorting out a rope, having just climbed the third pitch to join Martin and Gareth at the Great Ledge |
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| Gareth |
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| Home for the night. All mod cons. Well nearly.... |
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| The black stuff behind Gareth is... nothing! For 200 feet or so anyway.... |
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| Ah, couscous with sun-dried tomatoes and olives. That'll do nicely. |
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| Rice for Stuart |
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| Not forgetting the hot paper sauce, kindly hauled 200 feet by Gareth! |
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| Pasta for Gareth |
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| I'm holding on to this rope all night! |
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| Get that camera out of my face! |
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| <snore!> |
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| The next morning, getting ready to go |
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| The River Severn from the Great Ledge |
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| Gareth, hauling the bags up the last pitch |
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| Stuart.... watching Gareth haul the bags! |
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| Martin making an appearance at the top of the last pitch |
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| The End! |