[Bonjoy]

I recently had a meeting with the National Trust head ranger for Dovedale regarding the idea of carrying out a much needed tidy-up at Dovedale Church. He was very positive about the idea as keeping the rock features clear of vegetation is part of their management duty so we would be acting in both our interests. He was also refreshingly positive generally about climber activity in Dovedale. The work would involve setting up fixed ropes, clearing vegetation (mostly saplings and ivy), replacing fixed gear and clearing the approach path. The NT offered to ferry a team plus gear (which they also offered use of) to site along the track along the west bank.
I’m looking into putting a team together for Sat 19th Sept  Sat 26th Sept. Please let me know if you would like to take part. Useful skills include rigging ropes, ascending ropes (these are pinnacles, so like George Michael, you’ve got to get up to get down), de-vegging and not killing yourself in the process. Using a lid will be mandatory. Anyone in? You get to ride down the valley in a 4x4.

[mark20]

Good work Jon, count me in. I'd be keen to stay on for the Sunday too if anyone wants to get some climbing done

[cheque]

I'll be in the US unfortunately. Well up for this kind of thing though.

[Wood FT]

ditto the above, I'll be in Spain. I'l persuade a non-ukb reader to do it in my place

[Johnny Brown]

I would have been keen but am helping with a NT climbing event at Longshaw that day. Any chance of pushing it back a week?

[El Mocho]

I would have been keen but am helping with a NT climbing event at Longshaw that day. Any chance of pushing it back a week?

ditto

Sounds like a good idea whenever it happens.

[shark]

Good stuff. Add me to the apologies - Ill be in Devon

[andy_e]

Lazy bunch of shirkers 

[webbo]

I would gladly help but I've just been invited on Bonningtons latest Himalayan expedition.





Well it's as likely as everyone else's excuses.

[Potash]

I'm keen to assist. I will attempt to keep this date free.

Dave B

[Bonjoy]

I'll ask about the weekend after. I'm out of country till the end of August so it'd be good to have an extra week to sort stuff.

[danm]

Let me know if you need help with anything Jon - we've got some ab rope and gardening tools if you need them. Might be able to make it if it's later in the month.

[Brannock]

Id be keen to help out if  it was the 19th, haven't got many tools but have got an abb rope if its any use. Unfortunately wouldn't be able make the weekend after.

Cheers

John

[Hydraulic Man]

Bonjoy,

Have they plans to extend this to elsewhere in the dale? Was down there on the Spires this morning and it is in a really poor state under Brutus/Caesar. Both those routes starting to become overgrown and the gully could do with a clear out of trees.

Maybe the new guide will encourage people to go there again.

I am only here on holiday so cannot assist.

[Bonjoy]

The NT seemed keen generally on climbers clearing veg off buttresses. It was agreed though that we'd start with DC and see how that went initially.

[DAVETHOMAS90]

May well be up for/around for this Jon.

Will PM you nearer.

Dave.

[Bonjoy]

I have now rearranged this for Sat 26th Sept. So who's in?

[Duncan campbell]

Sounds good and I'm keen providing I'm not working.

Just a quick question - wouldn't it be better to do this in the spring and therefore just before people actually start climbing on these sort of routes??

[Bonjoy]

Great, nice one.
Maybe so but it would have to be early or else it is likely to disturb nesting birds. I think as the clearance will mostly be Ivy and saplings it should have a multi year impact, so although spring might be optimal it will still make a big difference next year and the following years. TBH the timing has more to do with when I thought about the idea and got round to pursuing it rather than anything else. Best strike while the iron is hot I reckon when it comes to ideas, as like as not if I'd left it later I would have forgot the whole notion. Plus if I was waiting on a wave of trad limestone enthusiasm/activity I would be waiting a lot longer than a few months I think. Should it go well there is every chance we could arrange other buttress clearances for spring.

[Duncan campbell]

Ah fair enough forgot bout dem birds!!

[Brannock]

Ok I can do the 26th now.

Cheers

John

[Bonjoy]

Brilliant, cheers.
 Anyone else????

[Johnny Brown]

Hopefully.

[mark20]

I'll be there

[Potash]

I cannot do that date.