Bamford Edge, Peak District 13 March

A day on the grit. It's been a while since I climbed in the Peak. Climbing on gritstone is like climbing on sandpaper. The rock is very rough and, given the right conditions, the friction is excellent. The crags are subject to erosion from the wind and rain, and this produces a lot of rounded and sloping holds, making the climbing precarious. Technique and confidence will pay dividends for those wanting to succeed on their chosen route. Bamford Edge is somewhere I have never climbed before, as there has been access problems but since the CRoW Act, access has been guaranteed for the future. It's a beautiful crag, made up of a number of buttresses and there are routes of great quality. The sun was shining and being situated high above the valley, it was a delight to be cruising the Grit!