22nd March 2011

Zennor Cliff
The Royal Forester – VS 4C – Lead

With thick mist around on the North Coast we wernt sure what the conditions would be like at Zennor. However after the walk in we discovered that the coastline itself was clear. A hundred yards further landward and you hit the mist.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Royal Forester the last time I climbed it so we decided on another crack at it. It was Gillians first time at Zennor and the suprise of seeing the cliff for the first time had its usual effect. Zennor really is spectacular and incredibly well hidden.

On this occasion I made a much beeter  fist of the overhang, but still found the initial groove awkward. Once above the overhang the route eases but the final niche is testing as well. Trying to sort the ropes for the belay proved a challege as the anchors are set back, but we managed.

Gillian made the initial groove seem easy, but the exposure on the overhang had its usual effect. You dont get to see the zawn below or get an indication of how high up you are until you clear the overhang. Its always a revelation. Pete found the overhang sequence tough and decided to leave skin on the cliff as payment but as with last time I think he thorouughly enjoyed the outing.

Time prooved our unding for further climbs, but on a mooch I found another crack on the far left which will be my next target when we come.