Since doing my first, first ascent a while back I have started looking at the rocks nearby a bit differently. The Peak is definitely not climbed out. Over the winter I have been running to work a fair bit and along the way spied this small block off the Houndkirk 4x4 road. It looked good, if rather dirty, but surely its been done? Its so obvious! My internet research says it's possibly unclimbed, certainly unclaimed. I've been meaning to check it out for ages but yesterday I went for a walk with my wife Danni. It also happened to be the due date for our first child and we thought the walk might help. So we checked it out.
James Turnbull on the first ascent of Due Date, Font 6B, Houndkirk MoorIt's a great place for a picnic! Danni could sit in the sun with the rock in the shade, plus a flat landing so one pad is fine. The problem took some cleaning, but otherwise it's great climbing on cool holds. Just don't allow the side walls for your feet (you wouldn't anyway) and its great fun. The only issue is it was easier than I hoped, choosing the name was too! Due Date font 6B.
James Turnbull on the First Ascent of Late Arrival? Font 6B at Houdkirk MoorI made the most of the rock and also climbed the arête to the left from the same start. Around the same grade, Late Arrival? (the question mark denotes that the day wasn't over!) Font 6B. Both problems are fun and worth the short walk, however both may feel harder if your feet have to come of the back wall sooner than mine. If you want to find them, they're around grid ref 278 821, just off the Houndkirk Road.
Climbing (and anything to blog about) will be slow for me for a while now as I patiently wait (gulp) for my biggest adventure yet!