Tim Dobson

Throwback to a fun Climbing Clan Thursday

4 May 2021

Throwback to a fun Climbing Clan Thursday evening at Windgather rocks. Matt, Mark, me and Sarah climbed a number Diffs, HVDs and in the fading light, Matt shot up Mississippi Crack (S). It may not have been the hardest sends, but it was an evening of great conversation and people pushing themselves out of their […]

Jas and I did the Flowerpot Entrance

4 May 2021

Jas and I recently did the Flowerpot Entrance to Gin Entrance through trip. Honestly, it's not that bad… But that wasn't what Jas was thinking as she sat in the tube ready to descend, or as I went through a low squeeze below, or as we powered on through Dynamite Series. Honestly, I think Carlswark […]

My third day ever leading trad

2 May 2021

My third day(?) ever where I lead trad was in 2017 at Stanage Edge. One Sunday ago, I 'accidentally' repeated one of the routes I climbed that day. Back then I'd have been hesitant, nervous, taking ages to place gear and longer to build belays. This time, the route felt like great fun. It was […]

Jon Matt Judith and me a few weeks ago

2 May 2021

A few weeks ago Jon, Matt, Judith and me went to Carlswark Cavern to help Jon and Matt with some navigation practice. Carlswark is an ideal venue for this – easy, not too risky and without too many different passages. However, it does have plenty going on. In the end, we dropped Eyam Dale shaft, […]

I had never been to Masson Lees Quarry

1 May 2021

I'd never been to Masson Lees Quarry, but I'd heard a lot of stories. Endless sport climbing. Achievable Routes. South Peak Limestone. So when Rebs and Naomi invited me for a quick route, I… thought it'd be worth a go! Unfortunately, some Caving friends had very rudely decided to park in the same car parking […]

Shelf Brook in Old Glossop

1 May 2021

Shelf Brook in Old Glossop is a river that runs out of Doctors Gate and eventually becomes Glossop Brook before it joins the Etherow. It is kayakable from the factories on Shepley Street, to the bridge at the bottom of manor park, and – so I'm told – all the way down to just after […]

Assuming success is a mistake

29 April 2021

It's often a mistake to assume that successful caving means doing lots of caving. My feeling is that successful caving should be judged by the number of picnics. A trip Becky and me did not so long ago is a great example. A short cave turned into a fantastic trip complete with two picnic stops, […]

A mystery crag near where I live

29 April 2021

There's a mystery crag near where I live. I have seen it for years. Last year I wandered up there to see what it was like. It looked alright. The guide described it as the "worst in the world" but it wasn't what I saw.. I went back recently with a belay stake and abseiled […]

A fun trip to Snelslow Swallet

29 April 2021

Throwback to a fun trip to Snelslow Swallet with Lotte. Caving ropework is all sorts of difficulty. There's the easy base, and then the icing. Snelslow Swallet is a great place for practicing the icing once you've learnt it. It's not too hard (once you're at that point) but has some nice things to enjoy. […]

Throwback to the windiest blowiest airiest

27 April 2021

Throwback to the windiest, blowiest, airiest Climbing Clan of 2021 so far. The Climbing Clan has resumed climbing, but to reduce the impact on one crag, reduce travel and reduce covid risks, we travel to crags near us to climb in groups of 6 or fewer. This particular evening I was at Castle Naze, reintroducing […]

Fun evening with Munky Susan and Stuart

17 April 2021

Fun evening with Munky , Susan and Stuart at Castle Naze for the first Climbing Clan trip out a few Thursday ago. Me and Munky lead each side of the pinnacle and another route each, followed by Susan and Stuart So nice to be outside on real rock, with real people, in real life! Thanks […]

Mum sing to me she asked

16 April 2021

"Mum, sing to me" What? "Just sing. Anything" She started singing, and as the calming notes of "Caving Matilda" hit my ears, the fear subsided. Maybe I wasn't going to stay stuck, facedown in this squeeze til the water rose and got me after all? I breathed out, pushed past the crux and eased myself […]