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Pete Smith. Barnesmore Gap, Co. Donegal. 11th May 2000
Columba McLaughlin, Donna Ryan, Anthea (Billy) Wilkinson, Al Millar,
Rodders Moore, Stu Hamilton and I arrived at Biddy's Buttress at about
7pm. We all enjoyed the fine walk-in.
By the time the rest of us had got our breath back, Al was at the crux
of Iron Horse VS 4b with Rodders belaying in a pair of sunglasses
he got from a Kinder egg. Donna and Billy headed for 6-5 Special
MS, with Donna taking the vanguard. Columba and I decided that we
were full of energy, so headed up another 150 feet to the foot of Donegal
Junction VS 4b. Stu, to his disgust, was voted photographer for
the night and so didn't get to climb.
After having an epic ascent, a slow second, and a tortuous walk off;
Columba and I reached the base camp about an hour and a quarter later.
Rodders had just finished leading Age of Excellence VS 4c and
Al was extolling the virtues of the fine crux. Billy was still on 6-5
Special (thank goodness I didn't have the only epic).
Dusk was fast-encroaching, so having toyed with the idea of doing another
route, we all retired to Biddy's where we were joined by Brian Johnston
and Ronnie Smith who had been routing in Eglish Valley ("routing",
Billy, not "rooting").
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