First lead, Black Rocks

Written by Haydn Williams

It’s not very often I start a blog post with a photo of my bum, but yesterday was a special day.

Haydn leading "Twin Cracks", VDiff. Photo by Jamie.
Haydn leading “Twin Cracks”, VDiff. Photo by Jamie.

Jamie, Gareth and I took a trip to Black Rocks, and the day didn’t start well when I went a bit mental halfway up “Lone Tree Gully” (S 4a). However, I then seconded South Gully (VDiff 4a) and really enjoyed it – bridging galore! I then finally did my first proper* lead, of a VDiff called “Twin Cracks”. There was a bit of faffing around but it turned out to be a lot of fun. Hopefully now the spell is broken and lots more will follow.

Gareth topping out on a rapidly-darkening "Stonnis Crack" (HS 4b)
Gareth topping out on a rapidly-darkening “Stonnis Crack” (HS 4b)

By this point it was going dark. Jamie and G did “Stonnis Crack” (HS 4b), while I watched from the top as the street lights gradually blinked on in Cromford.

* i.e. harder than a Grade 3 scramble.