Climbers Club/Pinnacle Club Count House meet – 2018

Cornwall was scorchio – nearly too hot to climb on some of the days, but fortunately the capped numbers on the meet (only around 25) meant that the sewerage system did not get too whiffy (aided by reduced flushing with a yellow mellow policy).

The participants were made up of around half Climbers Club and half PC, with some of the latter wearing two hats. The weather was a bit overcast for the first couple of days, with real rain on Wednesday, but after that it was wall to wall sunshine and soaring temperatures.

People sought crags in the shade (Right Angle and Astral Stroll being the best routes for that) or simply sweated on golden granite, or went for bike rides.

Everyone had fun, consumed lots of scones and clotted cream, had a barbecue, went swimming and watched football. We all admired the new porch and new patio and furniture. We did not erect Iain Peters’ wonderful barbecue apparatus on the patio under a threat of torture from the hut custodian if we got fat and muck on the new paving slabs.

Notable aspects were:

• Jenny Cossey’s delight at having a wonderful week of UK weather and her sighting of porpoises on two separate days – she is off back to skiing in New Zealand soon
• Mette Cristensen’s 74 ticks removed one night after a day out at Bosigran
• Geoff Der’s removal of a tick from Charlie Watson’s rear end
• Charlie Watson’s emotional anguish as he watched England nearly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Radjel on Tuesday night
• My not needing too much winching up the triangular chimney of Ochre Slab 1 – Nikki Hawkins floated up it gracefully
• Nevill Hewitt and Geoff Der watching an ab rope rolling down a grass slope to the sea
• A visit from Pete Saunders and James Mann after their ascent of Earthly Powers (an E2 in some unfrequented zawn)
• Photogenic route of the week – Kraken on Gurnard’s Head (Shark also had some ascents)
• Photogenic opportunities – the flowers and butterflies on the Lizard and the gardens at St Michaels Mount
• Our panic as we realised a newspaper had transferred its colour print to the varnished table – but Rob was cool and eased it out with white spirit

We look forward to our return next year when the hut should be operating at full capacity and with a new shower block; the patio will be a real asset at any time, but especially if the inside is crowded . . . .. .

Val Hennelly

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