The Co. Wickford Odyssey – the saga continues

(by Gerry Moss, May 2012)
New-routing on a magical mystery crag.


Went back to our new multi-pitch crag with Joe on Saturday. This crag sends down two legs from a steep upper section and is a bit like Hopalong Cassidy – the left leg being shorter than the right. We had previously, with Cearbhall, climbed the right leg, so, on Saturday, inspired by the goings-on in France, we opted for the left. It gave a good, value-for-money, 3-pitch VS, with the final pitch providing the crux at 4c. As luck would have it, Joe drew the short straw and had to cope with the two hardest pitches, the first and the last, but he managed admirably. He named the route The Old Curiosity, and full details will follow soon.


The first pitch


Looking down from the top of the second pitch


The Upper face


The crux pitch

Earlier, we had paid a flying visit to A Nudder granite crag, situated in the same area – give or take 50k – and put up two routes in the 4a/4b category.

Not only that, but on another occasion we paid a vist to the little-known and secluded Rushy Glen, where, on a steep, in-your-face crag, we put up some more routes in the VS/HVS grades.

Where will it all end?