Spring climbing in the Peak District
The weather is getting warmer and if you’re like me you are getting excited about getting outdoor climbing again.
Different seasons offer different strengths for different types of climbing. Bouldering is done more in the cold crisp winter months than trad or sport. this is due to the friction that the cold provides on grit and also that you can wack on your jacket, hat and gloves in between short burst of climbing. Spring is a great season for dusting the cobwebs off your trad rack. The weather is getting warmer so you won’t freeze to death belaying but the coolness still provides good friction. However, after the relenting wet and snowy winter months some crags notoriously stay “green” for some time. The higher and more exposed the crag is, the dryer it will be. Even though going to sheltered crags may seem appealing if windy or wet on the ground, crags that are very sheltered among vegetation may take longer to get in good condition for Spring crushing.
Good crags to hit in the Peak after a wet winter season are:
Bel Ami- Curbar
Photo Credit- Ian Blake
Flying Buttress and Flying Buttress Direct- Stanage
Photo credit- Jim Smith
Bamford wall- Bamford
Photo Credit- Jim Smith
Todys Wall- Froggatt
Let us know what your first outdoor crag trip is!
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