Colmcille Climbers

They came from far and wide to be at the Colmcille Climbers' barbie weekend. From Belfast, we had Robert Roulston and his son, Andrew. Portstewart sent the cheerful, smiling Bill LeClerc-Gigot. Alan, Margaret and three irrepressible yoofs came from Eglinton. And so it went on; Zoe and Michael from Letterkenny; Gilli and Robbie from Derry; Pete (me) from Wales (sort of); Craig and Tracey from Scotland; Kieran Gallagher from Cookstown; Al Millar and Jason Frazer from Derry; Martin, Donna and Amy, Derry; Sally Cook from Coleraine; and a cameo appearance from Phil and Elaine Magill. It also turned out that Jordanstown Mountaineering Club had got wind of the expedition, so they sent a contingent of about 15 to join in the fun and games.

We did some routes on arriving on Saturday afternoon. I led the *** Calvin's Corner HS, a brilliant route, modestly (and unconventionally) named after its first ascensionist. Golly and Craig followed me (some with more success than others). I then climbed Evelyn Marie HS, and Bosun's Ladder S. After this I followed Michael McGinty up the nice Severe, David Banner.

All the routes in the Neptune's Wall area are on wonderful solid rock (mica schist, apparently). The grades are fair and the gear is good. Average length is about 15m. Other routes climbed (to my knowledge) were Scuppered VS, The Jib VS, Hydrophobia VS, Flying Enterprise VS and The Hulk VD. I await more reports because I know a lot of other stuff was done, but I don't know the names.

Saturday evening was the big party. We just about got the food cooked and eaten before it started bucketing down. The remainder of the festivities were performed in the standing position due to the wetness of the grass. However, we still managed to get heartily drunk (I speak for myself because I was in no state to judge how sober/drunk anyone else was).

Then, it was up at the crack of dawn on Sunday, and straight to the crag, fresh as a daisy for another 10 routes, before retiring home at sunset. Or, (pick the true version) struggle to the crag at 11.30 to 2nd a few routes before sloping home mid-afternoon for an early night. The others can submit their own stories.

In summary, a jolly good weekend was had. [Pictures]

Pete Smith (click here to e-mail me)