Sunday we agreed to meet up with Andy at Ilkley Quarry. One piece of advice though, DONT buy anything to eat from the wee cafe there, not unless your into botulism and salmonella. Yes, its that bad!! Very pricey too.

Although the quarry is gritstone, its very unlike "proper" gritstone, the routes are mostly prominent crack lines. On arrival, Alan and Sue opted for Nailbite (V Diff), following a large slanting crackline. Looking on, it seemed to me to have a very tricky start to get established in the huge crackline. Myself and Andy decided to tackle Blucher, grade (VS 4c). A nice straightforward warm up.

Chris and Andy B on Blucher

Craig and Theresa meanwhile, opted to also tackle Nailbite

Craig on Nailbite

Alex, Emily and Ethan occupied themselves as kids do, playing games and messing about in the Quarry. They even built a snowman from rocks. Or should that be rockman? You decide!!

Alex, Emily and Ethan (Junior Pathfinders) occupying themselves

Next up for Alan and Sue was climbing an unnamed route near the Quarry entrance graded at about Severe.

Alan on Unnamed (S)

Nici's first taste of Gritstone was on the unnamed route that Alan led, after he kindly dropped his rope down for her. I'll let her describe it herself :-) "Elvis had not just entered the building, he was live and kicking and singing way out loud "

Alan and Nici on unnamed route (S)

Theresa on Nailbite

Andy then decided he wanted a lead, so we headed for Flake Crack (HS 4a), another short interesting line.

Andy B enjoying Flake Crack (HS)

Chris on the classic S Crack (VS)

Andy and myself then headed over to go for the classic S Crack (VS 4c). The crux is low down but after that its solid VS climbing. Then we all opted to have a short break for lunch, during which the bizzare sight of Andy climbing a highball boulder problem with a toothbrush (yes you read it right, a toothbrush) in his mouth!! A couple of short routes were soloed, including Curving Cracks (VS 5a) and Peg Crack (HVS 5a). Craig and Theresa then had a go at S Crack, while Andy and myself decided to do Napoleon (VS 4c) and the quarry classic Walewska (VS 4c). By this time Andy's good lady, Katie, had appeared and joined in with the general mayhem of filming and taking photos.

Chris on Curving Cracks

Craig and Theresa starting up S Crack

Chris on Walewska

The day finished off with Craig and Theresa doing Flake Crack (and Craig managing to recreate his Diabaig problem by getting gear stuck :-) and it having to be rescued) and then all of us messing around on Peg Wall (E1 6a) which is really just a highball boulder problem.

Ethan bouldering

Theresa on Peg Wall

Alex on Peg Wall

We departed the quarry and everyone headed back to their accomodation. Myself Nici and kids gratefully accepted the hospitality of Katie and Andy to have dinner at Katie's dads sprawling farmhouse. All in all a great weekend, superb weather, superb company and good climbing. I would like to thank all those present for making it what it was and especially for making Nici and the kids feel so welcome. The first Pathfinder child friendly weekend was a resounding success. As a footnote, on the way home on Monday, Nici, myself, Alex, Emily and Ethan paid a visit to the Ingleborough caves. Well worth a visit if you're in the area.