After a nervous week of weather watching 10 SMC members went to Dorset for the March meet. This gave opportunities for walking the south West coast path, exploring the Purbeck hills and climbing around Portland and Swanage.
Pete and Clare went down on Friday evening and reported that the campsite was excellent and the nearby pub served fine ales and good food.
Saturday morning saw everyone donning sunglasses and sunscreen and heading towards the Blacknor cliffs on Portland. In the carpark we met Rob, an American traveller who was looking for someone to climb with, and we gladly welcomed him to join out merry crew. Ed and Lou stopped in the sun whilst some folks tackled the world class flowstone climbing in the Reptile Smile area, more like ice to look at. Whereas Pete and Clare went down to the Fallen Block area in search of some slabby fun. Alas whilst down there Clare took a nasty tumble requiring a lift from the coastguard helicopter – a great job by them saw her whisked away to Dorchester hospital.
Saturday evening had some people in the pub for dinner, others cooking at the campsite. Pete joined us all later assuring us that Clare’s biggest concern was the hospital cutting her expensive climbing clothes off, and the likelihood that she would be getting one of the club’s annual awards!
Sunday dawned sunny again and after breakfast we packed up, where one of our professional members was seen stuffing a distinctly unprofessionally unpacked tent in his boot! We all headed to The Cuttings on the east side of Portland for a fine days cragging on routes from 2 to 7a+. Rob our American friend did his first 7a+, Ed tackled a good looking 6c and Jo, Mike and Roger explored the beginners area.
