Date: Saturday April 15th 2023
Meet up time: 12 noon (late start to allow the sun get round to shining on the crag)
Meeting venue: At the top of Crescent Drive, Helsby WA6 9PU
Directions: Leave the M56 at Junction 14 (Hapsford) and follow signs to Helsby. At the
A56, turn left (east) and after just short of a mile look for a Thriftys Store on the
left. Crescent Drive is opposite, a right turn. Head up the drive and there is
roadside parking on the left and, if need be, around the corner past the bin first right,
in Old Chester Road.
Climbing: We’ll have some locals on hand to show you round. What is possible on the
day depends on our old friend the weather, and it’s a bit early in the year to be best.
But I know that one of the old classics (the enticingly named Carsten’s Abortion, E2 5b)
has been done recently. That particular gem (?) may be out of bounds because of
nesting peregrines but the best are not subject to avian interference (Twin Caves
Crack, Flake Crack, Eliminate 1, Daniel, Wood’s, etc) and there’s good bouldering
alternatives should conditions be poor on the main crag.
Walking: I’ll map out a route of about 8k (that being as far as I want to, indeed can, plod).
Just in case we have anybody whose reaction to that is ‘Walk? You call that a
WALK?’ I will see if anyone fancies leading something a bit longer. We won’t be the
first, the Club had a ‘rambles’ meet here back in August 1903.
Post-match briefing: This will take place at the White Lion, Alvanley, WA6 9DD. I have got a room booked from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, big enough for 18. You can get food there if you want it but it’s intended as a drinks, good-to-meet and tall tales thing.
Postscript: If you fancy an earlier start and a longer day just let me know. There may be someone with Marsden-to-Edale-double tendencies who fancies Helsby to Bickerton and back, 35 miles. If so, you’re on your own. Alternatively, you could book an earlier table at the White Lion, have a nice meal, join us at 5.00 pm and tell us you’ve done Helsby to Bickerton and back. Such an enterprise will be recorded in the Meet Log as ‘an unwitnessed double traverse’. Or you could stay later for food. If so, best to book a table. Phone 01928 722949. If you find yourself irresistibly drawn to Carsten’s Abortion, it will be witnessed, by the peregrines, and reported to the National Trust and the BMC. Don’t.
And lastly: Please let me know if you expect to be joining us on the day.
dave.atkinson27@gmail.com
07878481541