After much discussion and numerous e-mails, three intrepid members of MKMC headed for Millhouses Park, Sheffield, and the 3rd Annual Cliffhanger event. Gary sent out an e-mail:

”
1. The plan is to meet at Alan’s for 08.00 on Saturday.
2. Go to cliffhanger, buy cheap stuff, get free stuff and other stuff.
3. When we have had our fill of Cliffhanger, go to a quarry and crush.
4. Return home later that day.

”

It all sounded good to me; and Saturday morning saw Gary, Edvardo and myself motoring along
the M1 in a northerly direction. Florence, my sat. nav. system, took us safely to our parking spot,
and we were soon perusing the goodies on sale. We ambled around taking note of everything
on offer, and on occasions, money was exchanged for bounty. Gary had a bit of physiotherapy
on a ‘dodgy’ shoulder, and later we discussed the various resting angles of our shoulders.

Part way through the morning we signed up for a master class with Steve McClure. It was an
education for me and a privilege to be taught by ‘The Master’. He had a steeply overhanging
wall to practice on, but getting off the ground and established on the wall was virtually
impossible for me. Gary and Edvardo were stars.

Afterwards we watched some of the bouldering competition, and decided that as we were a little
late with our entries we would do some of our own. Next stop – Horseshoe Quarry.

We started with a gentle warm up, Saturn’s Ring (F5), on the Star Trek Wall, and 2 harder
routes to the right. Next to go were Mucker’s Wall, a straight forward F6a, and The Whinger
(F6a+) which I rated. Off Limits (F6a) was an eliminate, and not really worth bothering with.
Our visit to Horseshoe Quarry was the perfect way to finish the day, and marked my return to
climbing after a break of nearly 2 months.

Alan