Chairman's Meet 2016

Post date: Jul 9, 2016 10:58:36 AM

Mainly due to the Chairman's busy work schedule and general unavailability(!), this year's Chairman's Meet became a day meet on the south coast near Swanage on June 18th. Rather than heading to 'Subluminal' (again), Lee suggested Winspit as an alternative.

Around the end of the working week it was looking odds-on that 11 people would be attending, but by breakfast on the Saturday this had reduced to 6. The excuses given by the no-shows were all honest and understandable, even if one bordered on the 'must try harder next time'.

Winspit is not a crag I'd been to before (technically it's an abandoned quarry/mine), but it was clearly popular. You climb from the level of the coast path, set back from the cliff edge, and there are faces with easterly, westerly and southerly aspects. Each is slightly overhung so the faces are protected from seepage (and drizzle!). Though you could climb trad, there are lots of bolted routes from grade 4 up.

Several of the routes had lower-offs I'd not come across before, twisted pieces of stainless called 'pigstails' or 'cowstails'. Once you overcame your nervousness about relying on an anchor that your rope only went over and not through they were fine (and clearly an advantage over untying and tying back in)!

My personal feeling is that the guide books were under-grading a bit (eg, there was a bold step up to finish a 4+, and the bit from the penultimate anchor to the top on another route was well into the 6's - IMHO - despite the climb overall being graded 5!).

Sadly we didn't get the weather we paid for: it was thick overcast for most of the day with a chilly northwesterly at times meaning we all ended up putting clothes on. And certainly no one was brave enough to venture in for a dip!

(Photo: Steve - yes, that is the Club bouldering mat in use!)

Thank you to those that came, it was a good day out in good company! And always good to try somewhere new!

The Climbers: Steve, Theresa, Lee, Sarah, Andrew R & Simon