Author: Dominic Oughton

Here’s a bit of an update on the 2019 sunrock meet… So far there are twenty of us confirmed as going, with a few more maybes. Still plenty of time to get yourself a bit of the Leonidio action… The originally planned week of 16 to 24 February seems to be stretching into a fortnight, with various teams booking later flights (somewhat more cheaply) – there will be sunrocking Rucksackers in situ from 16th Feb until 1st March. The “basecamp” accommodation at Camping Semeli is pretty much full, although a couple of the apartments could maybe squeeze in an extra one or two (get in touch with me and I’ll point you in the right direction). However, there are plenty of other options: The latest team to book have found overflow accommodation next door: website is sirines-Leonidio.gr and the contact is George…email gtsouka@yahoo.com. Also, Robin Illingworth has just returned from a trip and kindly reccied another alternative in Plaka: Simona who runs the bakery has some apartments in plaka which are available in Feb. simona.tuca@gmail.com Finally, there’s a new Guidebook that has just been published in the last week or so (available locally – might make it to shops in[…]

Calling all SunRockers Here are he details for the 2019 SunRock meet: Leonidio is a newly developed climbing area on the East coast of the Peloponnese, about 4 hours south of Athens. Helen and I spent about 3 weeks there last autumn and had a fabulous time and really liked the vibe, the village and the climbing. Here are our blog posts from our last trip: https://rockaroundtheworld.co.uk/category/greece/leonidio/ There are dozens of sectors spread over the huge red walls behind the village and up the winding valley that heads steeply inland. There are good options for sun and shade (we could really only tolerate the shady ones in late October and still managed a new crag most days). There’s a good mix of grades; some but by no means all benefitting from the “holiday grading” of Kalymnos. I haven’t found any giant villas in the area, so am proposing a slightly different format from usual. I’ve provisionally block booked a set of 6 apartments in Leonidio Plaka (port) next to the beach and the campsite. This is a great setting, a few minutes drive from the climbing. There’s no communal cooking or dining area but there are a couple of decent[…]

A fine finale to the Wednesday evening meet programme, with a couple of very well attended meets at two of The Peak’s finest venues… Cracking the flags and glorious blue skies at Hobby Last hurrah at Hobby! and a more autumnal evening at the perma-dry New Mills Torrs Perma-dry climbing 5 mins from the pub – what’s not to like about New Mills Torrs?  

Here are a few pictures from the latest episode of Bill and Dom’s Excellent Adventures – a trip to Yosemite for an ascent of North America Wall on El Cap.   You’ll find plenty of pictures and more of the story here: North America Wall – Trip Report  

A hardcore of Wednesday evening regulars were reinforced by visiting strong lads from Cornwall (Luke) and Newcastle (Jake) for a fab evening on this iconic moorland grit crag. A few pics below more at https://rockaroundtheworld.co.uk/2018/08/29/a-brit-grit-fix-with-jake/  

Various forecasts agreed there would be a climbable weather window at some stage on Saturday, but couldn’t agree when. Turned out to be 11am to 2pm, and the early birds got the best of the conditions Ultra dry, wind-blasted rock made for great friction, but blustery belays on top. Good to see so many people turning out despite the predicted maelstrom (which duly rolled in about 15 mins after the above shot!) At least it was dry at The Yorkshire Bridge.

Various forecasts agreed there would be a climbable weather window at some stage on Saturday, but couldn’t agree when. Turned out to be 11am to 2pm, and the early birds got the best of the conditions Ultra dry, wind-blasted rock made for great friction, but blustery belays on top. Good to see so many people turning out despite the predicted maelstrom (which duly rolled in about 15 mins after the above shot!) At least it was dry at The Yorkshire Bridge.

Grand evening at Dovies. Great turnout at Ian’s meet – and dry as a bone, so it was dried green grunge that we were climbing on… Meet leader on Nasal Buttress: Dave on Maggie Dan and Ade in full midge regalia Tony & Warby Dave on Left Embrasure Fab sunset from the top … and if you look closely you’ll see Andy and Stan still climbing 20 minutes later!

Great to see so many friends and members at this year’s Rucksack Club Gogarth Meet – we broke all records with a turnout of 90 (yes, NINETY!) on the beach for the BBQ. We even managed a few routes over the weekend (okay, quite a few… Including Positron; The Cow and The Moon; Assassin; Kalahari Highway; Quartz Icicle, Lighthouse Arête and not to mention a family ascent of Slippers by Helen, Pete & Chris with 200 years of experience on the rope! ) Also plenty of paddling and pedaling being done, and even a few sandcastles! A big thank you to everyone who came along, and especially the burger flippers, beer carriers, wood provider and litter pickers. Same place, same time (and hopefully same weather!) next year so keep your diaries clear. Here are a few photos as a reminder… Cheers, Dom and Helen

Fabulous evening for Cec’s Roaches meet. All the classics were ticked, from Maud’s Garden Through Left, Right and Central Routes, Saul’s Crack, Humdinger and of course The Sloth