Tag Archives: Ian T

Poo Sticks

July 13, 2026 dillwat Leave a comment

13th July 2026

Helman Tor

When it’s this hot (26-27degrees or possibly more) it’s time to get outside. Helman Tor turned out to be a cracking choice and with a breeze and some early morning shade it was really pleasant conditions.

Helman Tor is a little gem, hidden away and quiet it offers some spectacular views out across central Cornwall. More akin to Dartmoor really than the usual Cornwall climbing spots. It sits sits prominently along the famous St. Michael Ley Line, a 350-mile ancient alignment stretching from Norfolk to the Cornish coast. Must be why it has a layed back feeling to it. That is until you start climbing the numerous sandbags it has to offer.

Of course it still exacts its usual price of skin and blood. Sharp granite tends to do that to people. It also provided its fair share of intimidation, although Rich seemed oblivious to this…

For Rich and Ian T this was a first adventure at the location, and it was the first time the four of us (Me and Chris D as well) had climbed outsid as a team. We just about managed to cover a full range climbing, from slopy slabs, to crimpy faces and of course the rounded top outs which are always inspiring. Ian T deployed the famous seal approach to overcome these. Never fails but it can be exacting on skin.

I think this is the way to do bouldering. Get a group of good mates and give each other some encouragement and a few targets to achieve. I find the whole bouldering experience quite intimidating, but get a good bunch of you together and it helps to get you over the line sometimes. You get to feed off each other.

I must remember to stop bleeding over everything. It’s not a good image. I blame my shoes… and my shorts… and the wind direction. Ernie (Ian’s woofer) had the best time, playing fetch the poo and sometimes a stick. What is it with dogs and s#!t.

So I’m hoping this will become a regular intermission from the wall. The odd session outside just provides some variety. Also it helps to harden your hands up (or destroy them) And as a final point, watch out for the Ticks. They are there.

Climbing

Choughing Freezin

February 7, 2025 dillwat Leave a comment

7th February 2025

Sennen
Hayloft (P1) – VS 4c – T/R
Slanting Crack – HVS 5a – T/R

This was always going to be a bit of an ordeal. Sunny weather, but bitterly cold. The Hayloft area seemed a good choice as it catches the sun early and being granite retains a bit of warmth.

We were accompanied by the usual Choughs whizzing around on the upper ledges. They are definitely getting more numerous. It’s a common sight down on West Penwith.

The first pitch of Hayloft is fun in its own right. Straight forward but good for a practice session. Moving straight on to Slanting Crack was not one of my better ideas. My memory played games with me. I seemed to remember positive but small holds leading up to the much more amenable slanting crack. However the opening moves are a bit desperate, especially with cold fingers.

So Ian, Barry and me called it a day, giving in to the cold and heading off. It’s never though a wasted day sat in the sun in such a beautiful location. Maybe we will return shortly for a tour of the north end of Sennen.

Climbing

The Beast of Bo…sigran

January 18, 2025 dillwat Leave a comment

18th January 2025

Commando Ridge

Having missed out last year through a combination of bad time management and poor weather, it was good to get our annual ‘New Years on the Ridge’ going again.

With a tentative theme of ‘Pattern Disruptive Material’ (Camo to you and me) we set of for what was to be a great day on Commando Ridge. We lucked the weather with sunshine for most of a chilly but bearable day.

Two new recruits in Chris D and Ian T joined us with a few of the regulars missing because of various ageing complaints. We did have Chris S and his new pet Cougar. Not that we could see Mike with his stunning cat like camouflage. We also managed the crossing to the normal start, with no ‘Dave’ factor to take into account.

Being a chilly day it was noticeable that hanging around on the belays was tough work. In hindsight, I probably should have let Chris and Mike lead off as they would have been faster, but having to share a rack meant we needed to stay together anyway, so I’m not sure it would have made too much difference.

It was good to actually be out on the rock again. The Ridge is never really hard, but you do need to stay focused. Chris and Ian were loving it and it helped that the light was amazing, lighting up the main face and bringing out all the colours.