With July being wetter than an otter’s pocket, there were high hopes for the August meet on Cruit Island. It delivered in spades, not just with the weather but with a huge turnout of at least 41 hungry climbers.

Some made it down early on Friday to witness one of the younger members, Gerry Moss, swim out to a sea stack for some interesting routes. Who needs a kayak?

After a great briefing by trip organiser Dave “Zodiac” Walsh – which involved an in depth discussion of the tides and moons – a huge gaggle of climbers headed off to experience all that Cruit had to offer.

Climb of the weekend was an aptly named Cave Rave – a two pitch severe starting with a tidal traverse and finishing on a airy cave edge. The route seemed to brand smiles on anyone who scaled the wave splashed rollercoaster. the Island’s namesake Cruit Crack – a three star severe was a worthy second (excuse the pun!). Later that night, most gathered around a roaring fire to listen to tales of Walsh’s younger self’s first ascent up Uaigness – VS on the Far West Buttress.

In the late hours of the night, our most esteemed climbers Síle & Petrina were given the royal treatment by the coast guard with an escort back from their expedition on Owey Island – after conquering a 60m HVS – The Donkey’s Pelvis. The rougher seas on Sunday did not damp spirits as the Outdoor Climbing Wall and Albatross Zawn providing lots of routes up until it was time for most to leave. A fantastic gathering of old and new members made for a cracking weekend!

Steven Hanney