The countdown to departure for my two upcoming African expeditions is on now, and both feel like they are getting very close! As such, we’re spending a lot of time checking gear, confirming travel arrangements, registering passports and visas etc… The weather also came un-expectedly good, with mid twenties on the thermometer, ss as soon as we could, we left the computers and drove up to the quarry to get some more rock mileage in!

We climbed a few bolted routes, but the best climbs in the slate still seem to be the classic old ones! We’ve climbed ‘Looning the Tube’ (photos), many times before, and it still requires a steady head and proper concentration! Small holds and not much gear!

Slate Climbs:

• Kinder Surprise, 5c (not great)
• Deceptive Dyke, 5c*
• 1066, 6b+
• Looning the Tube, E1, 5b***
• Steps of Glory, 5c*