[tomtom]

Was damp in places but drying earlier today. Should be fine this evening/tomorrow...

[tomtom]

Suspect Harmers is fooked at the moment, but rather than start a new thread would anyone hazard a guestimate at how Helsby might be? Been still and a bit claggy here in Manchester, so was wondering how its been 30 miles west?

[JDobo]

I was thinking of heading down early in the morning this weekend. How are conditions there at the moment? I seem to remember it being quite damp is it a mistake heading there for an early session?

[steveri]

I haven't been, but 90% sure it'll be nasty - looks it from 4 miles distance anyway
It was greasy a lot of last year and last time I looked. Ran up the main crag gully Sunday and there was a lot of damp rock - that catches the wind far more than Harmers. A buddy climbed on Helsby in the Woods at the w/e and that seemed ok and is generally more reliable.

[tomtom]

Helsby hilltop is the fastest drying... suspect Harmers is not especially good at the moment..

[JDobo]

Cheers guys

[steveri]

Hesitate to post, because it's only slightly above the level of gossip. Noticed @harmerswood has a new twitter and website - looks some of the the Friends have had a fall-out and there've been some other shenanigans. They still look supportive of climbing but it would do us no harm to continue being extra nice, doing the occasional litter pick, etc.

Hopefully the place will dry out a bit more this year and I can get back to not completing the traverse.

[fatneck]

Agreed... https://www.harmerswood.org/2017

Thanks Steve!

[Johnny Brown]

Ha, I wonder how said former trustees became 'disgraced'? Never fails to amaze me how the smallest groups almost always dissolve into petty politics!

[Will Hunt]

I'll admit that I spent a few minutes yesterday looking at the minutes that are posted on the website. Intrigue! Deception! Fraud! It's like a soap opera. Intimidating behaviour, motions of no confidence, police involvement, SWEARING! It's a tale which has it all. Highly recommended reading if you like a bit of village goss and have a keen interest in woodland management.
 

One of the "disgraced" trustees even died (presumably in unrelated circumstances) during the events.

[tomtom]

All in great condition today. Didn't climb but stopped by on the way back from Helsby.

However there has been some storm damage with a felled tree now blocking the base of doormouse arête



And it looks like some arsehole has been playing throw the rocks at one of the other problems to the left. No damage but a few scars on the face and some debris in the big pocket

[steveri]

Storm damage now gone. Those trunks are bigger than they look

[tomtom]

Storm damage now gone. Those trunks are bigger than they look

excellent.

[danm]

Anyone been in the last few days and know if it's dry? Planning on stopping off on my way to N. Wales tomorrow.

[tomtom]

Suspect its perfect. Was fine on Sat AM and theres been little rain since...

[danm]

Awesome! Cheers 

[steveri]

Helsby Woods was drying nicely last night, but we had a light shower this morning. Errm, dunno!

[tc]

I've still never been to Harmer's Wood (shame on me) but I'll be down that way in a couple of weeks and intend to check the place out. The approach notes on the other channel say "Park by entrance to Harmer's Wood". Then what?

[fatneck]

Red line for main bit (approximate) and yellow for Hayden's

[tc]

Great, thanks.

[mark20]

Anyone know how dry it is likely to be on Sunday? Thinking of calling in during the afternoon as I'm in the area

[fatneck]

Only just seen this Mark, I reckon it would have been in good nick! Did you go?

I popped in yesterday and it was a bit damp in parts after rain in the morning but I reckon it will be in fine fettle today...

[mark20]

Unfortunately not - car only made it about halfway 
Looks like a dry week so may try again next weekend, really psyched for it. Anyone keen to get some pads under Dark Ark hit me up

[Will Hunt]

There was a team from Yorkshire there on Sunday. Not sure what they got done but think they had a good day. It's been so dry of late that most things will be drying quickly I think. Very little seepage from earthy tops going on.

Can't remember if I mentioned this, Mark, but if you go to try The Dark Ark or The Prodigal Sons (or any of the routes that don't get done that often) then take a bit of rope to ab down and give them a quick brush. As much as anything, on some of these Cheshire things you need to go down in advance and mark the holds as they can be quite difficult to tell apart from all the other little ripples and grooves in the rock from below.

[tomtom]

Can't remember if I mentioned this, Mark, but if you go to try The Dark Ark or The Prodigal Sons (or any of the routes that don't get done that often) then take a bit of rope to ab down and give them a quick brush. As much as anything, on some of these Cheshire things you need to go down in advance and mark the holds as they can be quite difficult to tell apart from all the other little ripples and grooves in the rock from below.

They are filthy at the moment - that quarry gets much less action/light/wind. Might even be worth brushing, going and having a cuppa for an hour or so to let any residual dampness under the crud disappate. Nice lines though..