Mountain Lifestyle

Cheddar Gorge Climbing

Another sort out of kit and equipment, then headed south from The Cottage, but this time (and for the first time since February), in the Van. Got to Cheddar for about 17:30, where Matt was waiting for me. Low clouds and rain had followed me down the length of the M5 and 6, but to our great delight, Matt texted when I was 40 minutes out, saying that it was drying up in the gorge. We wasted no time and hiked up to Easter Island Cliff. 

Somehow, the drizzle in the air was not landing on the cliffs so we climbed every route we could until bad light and hunger stopped play. It was good to be up above the road as cars were racing through the gorge with engines roaring and tyres screeching. Goats were the other hazard as we saw and heard them dislodge some rocks that went tumbling with gravity towards the parked cars below! The climbing was great and it was brilliant to be spending time with an old friend and sharing each other’s news. 

We almost went for ‘one last climb’ down near Evans Cave, but decided not to as it was a bit overgrown. This turned out to be an excellent decision as no sooner had we reached the vans, the heavens opened and rain poured down. We retreated to the village for some delicious Chinese takeaway that we ate huddled under a shop porch, before heading off to camp on the levels. I can’t remember when we last hung out together, but I’m lucky to have some great friends like this, where you just pick up where we’d left off as if it had been last week. Quality. 

Cheddar Gorge, Easter Island Crag:

– In the waiting line, F4b
– Hepatitis, VS, (4b)*
– What’s all this then? F5b*
– Hot enough? F6a*
– The one armed man F6a*
Ian Martin

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