[Nibile]

i know weather can be quite unpredictable, but:
would it be better to plan a visit in the peak early in the winter (january), or late (march)?
ive found rain stats saying it rains less in february.
dont care about cold.
any suggestion apart the obvious "dont come, stay at home, STFU"?
cheers.

[dobbin]

The better bouldering on the grit seems to come in january february. Up to xmas it just rains, then it could be fine in march, but it could be raining again!

Of course, whatever you do it will rain. Just go to the Tor! Come its better than yorkshire!  :wink:

[dobbin]

That last sentence doesnt scan well does it.

[Nibile]

cant wait to come back north.
i was there october 04 and was bliss.
wake up, eat, climb, eat, get drunk, go to sleep.
repeat and enjoy.

[dave]

would it be better to plan a visit in the peak early in the winter (january), or late (march)?

in my experience its always better to plan a trip BEFORE you intend going. Thus don't wait till march to plan a trip if you wanna go in january. (For reference this is a very cheap joke based on the subtleties of grammar).

january can be superb, however last year it rained like every week - the only crag i got to last january was rivelin, and it rained every time. febuary can be good, march can also be good or very wet and warm. basically its a gamble whenever you come.

[Johnny Brown]

You are right, february is one of the driest months of the year in the peak. Most foreigners seem to come in october/ november for some reason, the wettest time of year.

Looking at the moon phases for next year, I'll be booking the first half of February off work. Expect blue skies, hard frost and cheatin friction.

[Bonjoy]

My vote goes for mid to late Feb. And here's some SCIENCE to back me up:  http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/singularities.asp

[Nibile]

ok, seems that mid february could be good.

ill check flights and let you all know for your pleasure and happiness.

[Johnny Brown]

So why late feb Bonjoy? It flies in the face of both my own well known forecasts and your SCIENCE source?

If I wasn't self-employed, I'd be bookin that 2nd week of feb off now.

[SA Chris]

Bear in mind though, that March will give you longer days, thus increasing the odds of it actually being dry while it is light.

My 5p worth.

[dobbin]

But it could be a bit warm! ah who knows! just come over and take your chances!

where are you coming from dude?

[saltbeef]

wild stab in the dark, i reckon italy...

[Bonjoy]

Ok, forget the late, let's just say mid Feb.

[Christobal]

I´m planning a visit to the peak in febr/march as well. Being from Sweden and considering the fact that Ryan Air doesn´t fly to Sheffield I was considering flying to Manchester instead. I was hoping for some advice on whether it would be better to drive to Sheffield and rent a room there or if it would be a better idea to have Manchester as basecamp and going from there to Stanage/Burbage.

Since im already asking: Which areas do you think would be the best spots for a firsttimer in the peak?

Thanks in advance
Christer

[saltbeef]

the big four, rubicon, the tor, school room and cragx.

[Bonjoy]

Definately Sheffield, it is much quicker to get to most of the grit and there are more climbers around to point you in the right direction.
 The classic bouldering areas include Stanage Plantation, Burbage Valley (lots of different areas in one wide valley), Crattcliffe/Robin Hood's Stride, Eagle Tor/Rowtor Rocks, The Roaches (several circuits), Newstones/Baldstones. There is a good guidebook which came out last year so is pretty up to date.

[Christobal]

Thanks
Thats what i thought. I bought the new guidebook on a recent weekendvisit to London, really nice.
It made me all the more anxious to go. Let´s hope for a dry spring.
Christer

[Nibile]

yep,
i come from italy.
to be honest, i now come from a four day boldering weekend...
its quite great to be unemployed and single.
the peak is already in my mind. its been there from the beginning of my squallid climbing career, dunno why. i say i prefer it to font: climbing in font is great, but the athmosphere you get in the peak is special.
last time i was staying at a friends place, and at one dinner i found people i had met years before, and people i had met in the afternoon under remergence.
in france,
you basically dont climb together with the locals. the stay on their own, they pull and they go away. no feeling. and you could get to your knees and pray before seeing one of them come with you for a beer, after.

plus, in font theres no school room.

[SA Chris]

How long do you plan on being in the UK for? There's more to it than just the Peak.

[dave]

How long do you plan on being in the UK for? There's more to it than just the Peak.

He's right - if you fancy a drive then kyloe-in is also worth a visit.

[Nibile]

i would like a couple weeks.  :D

yes i know theres plenty out of the peak too. i have "stick it"!!!

plus, i have also a couple of friends that are pretty familiar with yorkshire grit and would like to ruin their lives and peace for a while to check yorkshire.

heh, i got back yesterday night and am already dreaming about next trip...

[Nibile]

view from where i was

[Nibile]

i may seriously come north.
end of february seems the time.
save good friction for me.

[dave]

in retrospect. mid november is probably the best time to come.

[Nibile]

its been pretty good down here too.
sandstone paradise.
full week of rest...