Wedge Wall and Sheepbone Wall

by Matt Everett

Yet another wet start to the day failed to dampen the spirits of those who attended the 4th SUMC day trip and after a brief discussion regarding a missing set of doubles… We left for Rhossili…

Only to for my car to return to Brynmill because I forgot my harness and climbing shoes.

Once we got there the weather wasn’t looking great, but it wasn’t raining yet. We cruised in along the footpath heading to worms head before suddenly ducking down and right towards Trial Wall and Wedge Wall. Everyone started to get harnesses on while I equipped the crag with quickdraws using a mix between a penduluming motion and a mal-coordinated cat.

The routes instantly filled up with climbers starting the first outdoor leads. Others top-roped the routes. Others fell over their own feet whilst walking around the bottom. As the morning progressed to afternoon, many people had climbed all the routes at wedge wall, and ticked off the crag! I headed to Trial Wall to attempt Tribulations. Despite the rain doing its best to spit me off the route, I managed to top out with impeccable disco-leg finesse.

With the tide heading out and the rain coming in showers thick and fast, we rigged an abseil to head down to Sheepbone Wall to get some trad done.

Alex Cutts was immediately drawn to the alluring corner of Great Deidre (S 4a) which by now was gopping wet. Leah went up Yellow Edge (S) and Alex Linge climbed Chimney Crack (another wet VDiff). I took Declan up the juggy Mauk Wall (S 4a) while Chris led Cross (Diff). Zara climbed with Jas up Great Deidre (S 4a) While Betty and Ellie did Chimney Crack (VDiff).

The seconders quickly dispathed these routes soon after, whilst battling belaying in the rain. Angel and Jas were paired with Chris and Matt Jaffa climbed with Alex Cutts, who managed a second route, starting Deep Cut directly (S). Will followed Leah up slanting chimney which looked quite exposed to the elements but still held on.

Meanwhile Adam had completed his climb with Sam on Deep Cut direct (S) and now had his eyes set on a piece of crag swag, halfway up Retribution Wall. After what appeared to be some sketchy soloing/aid climbing, he retrieved the manky piece of gear, which now sits with the rest of his crag swag rack.

After a quick demonstration of building a belay, Dec and I scrambled down to try get a second route in only to find the tide had cut off the route across the sand. Undeterred, we decided to traverse scramble across the barnacled walls of death to get to the platform. A few loose holds later, Dec did his first lead on Cross (Diff) with minimal fuss or difficulty. Good gear placements!

With the tide now in, and another batch of showers heading towards us we set off back to the car park and left of pub on the pond…Only to be met with a massive traffic incident near Parkmill (no idea what this was). Some crafty map reading by Chris and some nimble Audi power driving skills, we bypassed the jam and continued home for copious amounts of meat and chips. And Quorn.