Gower - May 2022
27th–29th of May
A number of intrepid club members made a drive over to the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. So with spirits high, cars overloaded and the forecast “ok” we headed west.
Day 1
First to arrive were me, Paula, and Hannah who, after the swift dash along the M4, stopped en route to the campsite to bag a few routes at Three Cliffs Bay. This is simply a stunning location with scenery that will take your breath away. Sandy beaches and great climbing is an alluring combination. A couple of climbs were quickly dispatched before the rapidly advancing tide called for a ‘tactical withdrawal’ inland. We packed up and headed to the Kennexstone Campsite.
Paula, Hannah, and I were erecting tents of various sizes and complexity when Barry and JC made it to the campsite. No sooner as their tents were up they headed off to climb. After what turned out to be a mini epic they ended up at ‘Lewes Castle East and Barry led ‘Gethsemane’ as the sun was setting. With Josh and Cat squeezing in a climb at Lower Pennard and just making it back in time for fresh pizza, the remainder of the group trickled in throughout the evening.
Day 2
Whilst Cat and Josh enjoyed the delights of ‘Juniper Wall’ ticking off several long VS to E1s the remainder of us headed to Tor Bay. After a couple of routes, Paula, Hannah, and I headed to the other side of the bay for the highlight of the day, the East Ridge of Great Tor. This is a magnificent four-pitch mountaineering route starting from the beach! And in true tradition, Paula, Hannah, and I ate our sandwiches on the summit closely followed by Barry and JC! The Moxon brothers remained at Tor Bay and busied themselves battling up various routes. After the Great Tor adventures, Paula decided she wanted to lead something and so made short work of a polished and awkward ‘Twin Crack Left’. No sooner as this was dispatched than we were forced to make another hasty retreat because of the rapidly advancing tide. That evening we all ended up in a rather pleasant local pub and enjoy the convenience of ‘Josh’s Cabs’ back to the campsite.
Day 3
The whole team headed to ‘Boiler Slab’. This venue has the advantage of being non-tidal so we were under no time constraints with the sea. We had the entire crag to ourselves and it was great picking and choosing routes to climb at our leisure. As predicted, it started to lightly rain at 15:00 so bags are packed are we headed back to our cars.
Overall this was a fantastic weekend of great company, and great climbing at a venue not often visited by club members. There is a wealth of climbing at Gower with quiet crags and a beautiful setting and I fully intend a return trip soon.
Next stop… Swanage and Portland on 8th -10th July.