Sun, Sea and Sends; Cornwall 2025

Once again the club headed off to the St Just campsite to saviour the delights that the Cornish coast has to offer. It felt like everyone really pushed themselves on this trip and managed to tick off some impressive routes. I have tried to collect them all here but apologies if have missed off someone's route. All the pictures are in the August in pictures file for people to see. However I have added a few on here.

Thursday night saw myself and Liv head down early to miss the traffic and sample the delights of Chair Ladder the next day. We managed to tick off Diocese (VS 5a), Kittiwake (HVS) and Detergent Wall (HVS). All while Liv was suffering from jet lag from a flight back from Tennessee. Will and Alice had also come down early and headed to Sennen Cove to sample some of the delightful single pitch there. Where I believe the much converted Demo route (HS) was ticked off. Felix and Ed managed to avoid the crowds at Chair Ladder as well and did the direct start to Bishops Rib (E2 5c) and Excelsior (E1 5b), before getting in for a swim. Paul M, Chris and James stopped off at Haytor. The highlight being Paul's lead on the stiff Dartmoor classic of Aviation (E1 5b).

Will on Demo Route

Haytor in the fading light.

Adam doing battle with the overhang on the top pitch of Thin Wall Special at Bosi.

Saturday saw clear sunny skies and lots of team accents of Commando Ridge at Bosi. Liv and Becky, Luke and Akaash, and Will and Alice all went up the ridge (swinging leads or Alpine style). It was great to watch their progress from the main cliff as I and Adam climbed Thin Wall Special (with Adam's battle with the overhang a great effort) and the infamous Suicide Wall. Felix and Ed also managed Thin Wall Special, after having backed off the much talked about first pitch of Visions of Johanna cursing a lack of micro wires. After that the four of us went over and soloed the ridge Alpine style to finish off a great day at Bosi. As the tide was in Adam led an HVS up to the ridge while Ed did a VS to gain the ridge. Meanwhile 'The Paul's' headed to Chair Ladder and skipped the queue on Bishops Rib, instead choosing Excelsior, E1 5b, running out 4 pitches into 2. They then popped over the headland for Paul K to lead the spectacular American Dream, a pumpy 40m E1 5b in Zawn Kellys, before returning to do Bishop's Rib after the crowds had left. They had cunningly noticed that it was possible to start that route when the tide was high. Paul M lead the crux first pitch, running it out through the next in one. James and Chris also did Bishops rib that same day and Diocese. To avoid the crowds, Anthony and Greg headed to Sennen Cove where Greg lead Demo route for the first time amongst other routes.

Yes Akaash!!

Liv on the ridge.

Paul K on the crux of Samson's Arete at Sennen Cove

Teams at Chair Ladder

On Sunday, Adam and Paul M got on Astral Stroll. Adam led a wet and slippy P1 and exposed P3 where we believe this was his first sea cliff traverse, (impressive stuff). Paul M led P2 and P4 and generally just had a nice time, except for messing around deciding whether to take the upper or lower traverse on P2. Paul K, Felix, Luke, Chris and James all headed to Sennen cove to tick off some single pitch. A few did battle with Samson's Arete (E2 5c) giving it all their guns but narrowly missing out. One for next time. A few of us headed to Chair Ladder and saw Liv and Akaash swing leads of Pendulum Chimney (S), whilst Alice and Will also did the same behind them. I and Becky did battled with the wet cracks of Excelsior and finished off with Terriers Tooth (HS). We all then headed to the secluded cove at Porthgwarra for a wonderful swim. Anthony and Greg again did Diocese with Greg getting the first picture clean (great effort).

Alice on Pendulum Chimney.

Will on the sharpe end at Chair Ladder

Paul K on the 'best E1 ever' American Dream

James coming out of the traverse on Dioceses.

Most teams were leaving Monday so opted for shorter days. Anthony and Greg swung leads on Detergent Wall, and Alice and Will did Red Wall and Wolverine Chimney at Chair Ladder. Also Akaash and Adam led Flannel Avenue (HS). Adam took the first pitch direct doing well to get up the soaking slimy chimney. Then Akaash had a lovely time on the super flowing middle pitch, with a stunning belay spot at the end. Adam finished up the last pitch and they headed back. James, Felix, Chris and Paul K went to do the formidable but brilliant Pat Littlejohn classic Astral Stroll. Not being able to see the route properly Chris led off around the corner, eventually locating the first belay after having reversed half the second pitch! The whole ambiance and inescapable nature of the place, not to mention sketchy traversing, got the better of James and Felix who escaped up an easier but rewarding route, leaving Paul to second Chris into the abyss. A brilliant route with excellent rock but a sketchy scramble out ensued. Well done to them. Liv and opted to head off to Kenidjack to sample the delights of Kilis slate. Whilst it was unusual busy we ticked off Rock Dancer (E1 5b), The Shield (E1 5a) and Saxon (HVS). I led all with Liv seconding them all clean.

Setting up the belay for the famous traverse.

Leading off on Astral Stroll into the abyss!

Myself and Liv stuck around and on Tuesday and after some heavy showers we went to Bosi and did Ledge Route (HVD), a classic of its grade, with a great lead from Liv on pitch one. But feeling tired we headed home.

Once again Cornwall did not disappoint. Each evening we sat around the campsite or the rugby club bar enjoying tales of our adventures, playing pool and pouring over guide books for the next day.

l end with a quote from Greg to sum up how we all felt by the end; "Great swims, Great Bacon, Great Pool shots, Great number of chicken balls. Great times!"

Max

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