Saturday, July 19, 2003 at 03:00:14 Karen Black

I had the good fortune of meeting Alan Tees through a relative of mine while visiting Derry and was invited along to an evening climb at Kinnego Bay -a rather spectacular spot! Alan was teaching Finbar some safety techniques and so I got to learn as well as climb! Andy was along also, so 4 on one rope means a bit of shivering for the guy doing the belay!

I watched some neighbouring climbers (_Psyclone, Pete and Peter I believe) on Forked Lightening and agree it looks like a classic - unfortunately I didn't get to climb it myself (next time!).

I believe I should thank Finbar for the post climb drink in Rosato's, and Alan for allowing me to come along. Pete Cooper had a go at quizzing me about my demographics and itinerary, with enough success for him to decide I'd be OK to climb with.

So I borrowed the old Land Rover from my host (cousin/uncle John Black) and had an anxiety inducing drive the following day to Culdaff - anxiety inducing in that it had been years since I drove on the left side of the road, and the landrover had a tendency of slipping from first into fourth gear!

Pete was waiting when I got there and he gave me a tour of the local crags. We started on Waterboys slab - another anxiety provoking situation for me, the exposure being rather impressive. I grunted up the arête on the same slab (Fisherman's Blues I believe) and was happy when Pete suggested we go over to Dunmore Head to escape the cool wind. We managed 4 climbs at Dunmore head, with Pete soloing most of them, then setting up a top rope for me. Pete could hardly believe it when I said it was nearly seven and probably time to stop (I was expected home for tea) - I guess time flies when you are having fun! Thanks again Pete.

You have so much beautiful coastline, I am very glad I packed the shoes and harness for my short trip.
I'm now back in Halifax and itching for another day outside. Bouldering is the main form of climbing here, although there are quite a few single pitch routes as well. If you are interested in seeing what the rock is like here, check out www.ns.bouldering.ca for some local pics.

Thank you Colmcille climbers for one of the highlights of my holiday! Visitors to Nova Scotia are welcome to look me up!