"The authentic Englishman is one whose delight is to wander all day amongst rocks and snow, and to come as near breaking his neck as his conscience will allow."
Leslie Stephen
Stanage Edge: HVS 5c: skin those knuckles!
Layback city.. Millstone Edge
The Boiled Onions Climbing Club was formed at the George and Dragon pub in Wentworth in the early 1990's, while drinking a pint or three of Timothy Taylor's 'Landlord'. A patina of beer spills patterned the table as a plan was formed for a club. A Latin motto followed:
Eee Ad Res Ascendemus Nescio: "Eee, the things we get up to...I don't know." (thanks to Mr. C for the translation of the motto...)
Mister P on his way to conquering the Cioch, Isle of Skye. A 500' drop awaits him if he falls off. Reader...he didn't. See the film 'Highlander' for an idea of the Cioch in all its glory.
Rockhall, beneath the Roaches, and just along from Hen Cloud. Boiled Onions checked in in 1994. Loved the cave kitchen and spiral stairs to Bedfordshire.
The Club began to grow, and form alliances with other groups. The first active members included Mister P, Simon Hathaway, and Mark Jarvis, who began to tick off routes on Stanage Edge in the Peak District. They were known for their sartorial elegance, and the shout of 'Boiled Onions!' whenever a route was conquered. They also allowed women to join....with CEK being the first to scale the heights.
One of the first excursions was the 3 Peaks Walk in the Yorkshire Dales, with a mix of weather and some spooky mist on Whernside.
There was also a famous trip to Skye in 1991, which was preceded by a tour of Scotland by Mister P and Simon who visited the Edinburgh festival, trawled the cliffs of St. Abbs for puffins and stood by Urquhart Castle trying to spot the monster. That trip was famous for the self catering cottage called 'The Old Bank', and one day a Japanese tourist walked in, and wanted to pay in some money, despite the obvious fact that this was now a house, not a financial institution. We took his money anyway....*
Also checked into the famous Rockhall climbing bothy below the Roaches, and did some climbing in the snow, as well as exploring some Alan Garner territory.
2 more Stanage pictures. Taken by Mark Jarvis. "Yellers" Cornwall hat worn in the photo on the right. Please note Rohan trousers (sponsorship deals welcome...)
Mister P on the Cuillin ridge. Descending from Bruach na Frithe summit. What you can't see is the wind, which was ferocious, which is why we took a route just below the ridge to avoid being blown into oblivion. In the distance is Carbost, where we were staying, next to Loch Harport and within smelling distance of the Talisker distillery. Picture by Simon Hathaway.
Boiled Onions also visited Wales (North and South), Harris and Lewis (with a view of Taransay and the 'super-quarry' site, Arran - Goatfell in the fog, Torridon and Applecross, Spain and the Pyrenees, Majorca etc..
Club lasted until the late 90's, and members still get up the occasional crag and Munro.
* only joking