7th April 2023

Predannack Head – International Buttress and Beginners Area

The Kyrgyz Boofalow – V Diff – Lead
Adder Skin – Diff – Lead

I knew I’d been to Beginners area before, but for the life of me I couldnt initially remember. Then it can flooding back. A day out with Pete where we were exploring this part of the headland.

This day though it was Tom, Dave and Me. Beginners area is probably a bit of a misnomer. There are actually a number of E grades and a couple of stern VS’s. I think its well worth coming back here to give these a shot. On this day we tackled the most obvious line there, wending its way up the edge of the bounded slab. It looks like it should be harder, but it is a fairly straight forward outing. Keep tight to the vertical edge to make it slightly harder and more interesting.

The V Diff in the gulley at International Buttress ‘Kyrgyz’ has a bold and tense start. No obvious good holds, no pro and the prospect of a fall onto a ledge focus the mind for the first few moves. Once into the groove proper it relaxes and is straight forward. Not one for a novice V Diff leader I think. It also provided Dave with probably the hardest move he’s done since his return. Tom made easy work of it and it was time to pack up and avoid the tide once again.

There is though unfinished business at International Buttress. The two VS’s look very enticing and I’ll be back soon to give these a go.