Froggatt Edge Meet report 11th June 2025

Present: Tommy, Lynne, Colin, Robert, Becca, Mirek, Harry, Andy S

They say don’t meet your heroes. But if I’d never met Robert Clark, I might never have known he was my climbing hero. So, imagine my delight when none other than Robert was the first to meet me at Froggatt, one stinking hot Wednesday in June.

It was a textbook walk on to the crag with KMC veterans, with Robert talking us through the merits of each route we passed (“that one’s a nice route”) and Lynne providing the cultural commentary, including which routes she had and hadn’t climbed on her last documented trip to Froggatt in 1991 and why her recent trip to Arran had ended her mountaineering career.

Lynne kicked us off with sunset slab (HS) (last done in 1991). Whilst racking up both her gear and all possible excuses, one of the bunch of old boy climbers next to us chimed in to correct one of Lynne's excuses, telling her the idea of it being too hot for the rock to not be grippy had no scientific basis, quoting scientific journals that had proved rubber was grippier when hot. 

“But what about our sweaty little mits?” Lynne asked. “… Just think about how they warm up f1 tyres before a race!” one of his mates replied. It was settled then. Conditions were as grippy as could be and Lynne would just have to climb sunset slab, without excuses and with only her gear for company. 

After sunset slab, none other than Lynne’s climbing partner from 1991 (Colin Maddison) emerged out of the summer haze. They teamed up to continue Lynne’s trip down memory lane, which left me alone with my climbing idol. 

I followed Robert down the crag to “one down there I haven’t done” (Bollard crack VS). He sprinkled himself in pixie dust and pranced up the slab, swam up the crack and floated over the bulge to the top. “That’s how you do it”, I thought. Sadly, my pixie dust wasn’t working quite so well. But I did make it up after him. Eventually. 

Becca was the next to emerge from the bracken jungle, and kindly joined us to stop Robert wearing me out quite so badly. 

Earlier in the spring, I’d trialled “climbing like Robert” with my quickdraws clipped onto a sling over my shoulder, like a bandolier. But today I’d go one better. I’d forgotten my helmet and Robert would lend me his for me to lead a route. Inspiration followed and it was time for my second ever VS. And before I knew it, I was channelling my inner Robert, swinging a leg over the crux of Trapeze Direct VS 4c and topping out.

“How was that?” Becca asked from the bottom. Quick - think Tommy… What would Robert say??

“Yeah it was alright”, I called down. 

Afterwards we joined the pilgrimage of KMCers in the shade of Green Gut HS (put up by former KMC club member, Nat Allen), just after Lynne had led it.. Harry and Andy Stratford then arrived. “Whose idea was it leading a meet in this heat?”

And soon Jess also announced her arrival from round the corner.

“Jesus! I’m sweating my tits off!”

“Hi Jess.”

The shade of Green gut meant it was then also led by Harry and then by Jess. While Robert made us watch from underneath the sun-baked roof of pedestal crack (HVS 5a) next door.

I was sorry to make hard work of Congestion crack (HS) in front of Robert. But I should have known he'd have me covered.

“Some holds have probably come off… more like VS”

“Thanks Robert.”

Jess was also struggling in the extremely grippy conditions, as she was forced to back off a route “for the third time that week.” she said “And it’s only Wednesday.”

Colin headed home and Lynne joined us for more nostalgia as Robert climbed one of his favourites, Diamond crack (HS), not once but twice! (Once on lead with Becca following and once on second, giving me the chance to lead.)

The exertions of the day began to tell when I was at the top of the route and I had to be reminded by Robert to place more gear and not just push on. And it was only with an Adam Ondra scream/dying dog yelp, I managed to heave myself over the final move. Robert emerged over the lip what seemed like seconds later.

“Ooo climbing diamond crack twice in a day. What a treat!” 

I was absolutely done. 

“Okay me and Lynne are heading off” Robert said.

I was saved.

“Oh. You don’t fancy one more Robert?” 

“No best be going.”

Climbed me under the table then even came up with an excuse for me to stop without losing face. What a legend. 

“Seeya Robert.”

Fortunately, they’d not left before Lynne was able to offer Andy S some moral support after he’d cramped up in the throes of three pebble slab (HVS). Which he then swapped for the dizzying highs of vanquishing Tody’s wall (HVS 5a). And as the sun set over Froggatt, we closed out a fine day by Becca leading Slab Recess (Diff).

I walked back to the car, following the edge north and weaving groggily between the abandoned millstones. The sky was streaked orange and pink above the green fields of the peak and swifts nipped between the trees picking off insects before nightfall. I wondered if Robert was as tired as I was right now. Then decided I’d rather not know.

https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/froggatt_edge-22/

As usual, I'll be attempting to drag club members to where I finish my site visits and on 11th June, I'll be finishing my site visit in the morning so will be available to climb with from midday for anyone keen enough!

I've not been to Froggatt before but it looks like it's a 5 minute walk in from the car park with plenty to do at all grades, including *** routes at E1, HVS, VS, HS, HVD as well as the silly grades. 

Be sure to bring your best chat and see you there