Dales ice - i wish!

New Photos as of 20/1/11 from Dom.

At the tricky bit on Strans gill. Loads of verlas made progress tricky. Dom lowered a handy top rope to me as i chickened out soling the icey rock.

Looking Promising at the start of Crookes Gill
Some actual ice but very fragile. I did put crampons on for it though! (Crookes Gill)

Looking on UKC and facebook at lots of lovely pictures of amazing ice on Cautley spout, It's depressing me slightly at my decision to do some exploratory winter climbing in the Buckden area of the Dales today. Dom was driving north to Aberdeen and was keen to grab a couple of hours on route but not too many that he got snowed out of home. Arriving at Chateau Borman at 7:30 i was greeted with the first ice fall of the day, getting into his kitchen. Dom had an enjoyable evening with no heating on and the need to bail out the kitchen/ bathroom and basement from the burst water pipe. half hour of mopping and bin of water emptying and we were on the road. Driving down the valley past Kilnsey i spied big icicles hanging from the main overhang, a new M15 in the waiting perhaps? I was feeling pretty confident. 1st route we checked was Crookes Gill - i actually put crampons on and managed 2 pathetic ice pitches before realising it was not getting any better. The fact that it was South facing should have told me this. By this point I was remembering i had to sort my boots out as my ankles were being torn apart from ill fitting inners due to the fact that the laces were knackered and fail to actually hold the boots on.. must repair for the 10th time i remind myself. So we trudge back and head over to Strans Gill - also South facing but much more sheltered. I have grand memories of Strans Gill after a New year ascent about 5 years ago with Ali and Tom in one of the more depressing times this was the beacon in our new year celebrations. I remember gushing waterfalls with so much wetness we must find ice, right? Hmmmm... well if snowed up slimy limestone is your thing then - We made our way up what is an excellent scramble to be confronted with the final step, still no water but a nice verglas on parts meant all of a sudden half way up soloing this pitch, it seemed a little foolish. Dom rescued me - yes i know!!! with a handy toprope and shame faced we descended to the car.

One more venue seemed more appealing North facing with some water but not much flowing? ACE!!!! after half an hour of trudge all we found was this:

Dropped at Skipton station i was impressed at only 30 mins to Leeds where i managed my Xmas shopping except for some people who I am rubbish at buying for.. and may have to have nowt as i could take no more of the stress of Leeds city centre shops. BAH humbug!

Hoping to boulder tomorrow but maybe i'll be Christmas shopping :o(. Merry Xmas!