[Ally Smith]

Are they building a "stage" for the upcoming folk gig in the quarry?

[tomtom]

Are they building a "stage" for the upcoming folk gig in the quarry?

If so its not very large! It did look a bit stage like... is this for real btw?

[andy popp]

Despite recent spells of rain its holding up pretty well.

Its worth noting that 'Tweedledum', the L arete at the back of the main quarry is dry, clean and chalked. I've never seen the problem even vaguely climbable before, though Boysen and Leppert always maintained it did dry once in a blue moon. Get it while you can, it gives some really nice teetering and a perfect dose of commitment.

[andy popp]

ps. its about V3 and is worth a good two stars of anyone's money.

[tomtom]

First conditions - bit sweaty and greasy but passable..

Second, I had a good chat with one of the custodians of Harmers by the car park (a group of locals used their own money and some lottery funding (I think) to buy the woodland a few years ago). A nice chap who was doing some weeding around by one of the picnic tables!

So it seems there was a folk festival there earlier in the summer (small affair for charidy..) but it was a bit of a disaster as it pissed down and they had to cancel at 6pm... He doubted it would happen again next year. I talked to him about fires/bottles/rubbish in the quarry every now and then and he was really pleased when I mentioned that myself and others have cleared up other peoples rubbish on a few occasions. In fact he said "we like the climbers and the walkers, because they look after the place" - so all good on that front

I mentioned that some of us had (on here) offered to help with any clearance/chainsawing etc.. and he said thanks for the offer but it probably wasn't necessary. Very little maintenance is required, according to him, and most of the clearing and moving has now been done. Mainly taking down any dangerous looking wood or clearing paths after storms etc.. Again he seemed grateful for the offer.

All good to hear and hopefully keep the relationship good by carrying on as we were I guess..

[SpanishJuan]

Nice one tom tom.

[steveri]

Good stuff. I've found the Friends Of pretty good and happy to have people sharing their love of the place.
The key question is did Andy get his project done? Impressive amount of cleaning on that back wall - crux at the top?

[andy popp]

No, I haven't done it yet. Hoping I get a chance tomorrow evening (anyone fancy lending mats?) - might be last chance for a while. Yep, crux is at the top.

[steveri]

Busy week with work, new school, race tonight, etc. But if I get chance I can pop down with a mat ...or can lend on way past from Frodsham?

[tomtom]

No, I haven't done it yet. Hoping I get a chance tomorrow evening (anyone fancy lending mats?) - might be last chance for a while. Yep, crux is at the top.

As in thursday Eve? could be there..

[andy popp]

Yes, Thurs. With the Dawes, possibly.

[tomtom]

Text me when you've got some plans... though I've only got my black snap mat, as I had to cache my other one in Hull...

[danm]

Might pop down tonight with Grimer, forecast looks good

[tomtom]

Might pop down tonight with Grimer, forecast looks good

It was getting a bit greasy and humid yesterday Dan (and that was in the morning) - what with it being a scorcher today it might not be that good...

I mean its dry - but those little crimps won't be much fun....

[andy popp]

Text me when you've got some plans... though I've only got my black snap mat, as I had to cache my other one in Hull...

Will do Tom.

[andy popp]

Steve, have pm'd you. Cheers.

[steveri]

Congrats on getting your project done Andy - looked tricksy. Just in time before for the rain came too

[Dolly]

Was thinking of popping in here for an hour tomorrow morning on the way over to Wales.
Anyone know if its dry and is it worth going just for an hour ? -ie are the problems obvious, I haven't got a guide

[andy popp]

I looked in the roadside quarry yesterday which was OKish and the main quarry is always in beter nick. Tomtom might be there this morning. I think it would be good enough for an hour. Most of the problems, esp the aretes, are dead obvious. Make sure you have a pad with you.

[tomtom]

At Helsby ATM.. Not Harmers. I imagine its in great nic.. But depends on rain Dolly.. It's sheltered so wind doesn't dry it much. It's spitting on off here at the moment which is fine but if it gets a good soak today or this eve I'd leave it. Maybe ask again this evening (I'm not sure what the forecast is). Great place though- and what higher endorsemt can there be than Mr Dawes using it as his 'en route to Wales' stop off...

[Dolly]

Cheers for the replies. Will post again this evening in case there is any more local knowledge.
Is there any bouldering at Helsby then ?

[tomtom]

Yup.. On't top and in't woods.

[andy popp]

There have been some heavy isolated showers in the area over the afternoon, I doubt the Helsby area has totally escaped. I would imagine Harmers might be a little dingy on some of the walls. Helsby Woods and Hilltop will be much more reliable and either will give a decent hour of fun on nice natural rock. Grades up to 7Aish in the Woods and about V3 at Hilltop. But its blowy and Hilltop is very exposed, I've known it be windy enough up there to be a bit unenjoyable.

[Jim]

any locals going to helsby woods/other surrounding bits Thursday afternoon/Friday day? would like a proper tour round there

[andy popp]

I'm out tomorrow afternoon but am afraid I have a target at some shite Runcorn esoteria.