Author Topic: Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?  (Read 6343 times)

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Offline Torchy

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Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?
« on: January 14, 2014, 09:36:41 AM »
The Kinder Downfall is a waterfall in the Peak District which sometimes freezes and is England's most famous winter climb

Every year in about November some poor numpty on UKClimbing.com asks 'Is the Kinder Downfall in yet?' far, far too early in the season. This year they got this response.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGq-3TlswZs

btw I don't do waterfall climbing - far too risky
Previously 2685 'Loco Perro' and 2345 'Tachyon'

Offline ToddDembrey

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Re: Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2014, 01:22:55 PM »
Fantastic video.

Kinder is quite an accessible bit of ice climbing so can get very busy... apparently 7 more out of shot.


Ice/Mixed climbing is quite an amazing experience, not *that* risky...

Offline Torchy

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Re: Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2014, 03:32:32 PM »
Hilariously funny and I think not only to climbers...

I do climb some ice but prefer it well attached, less than 70 degrees steep and part of a wider plan  for a day in the mountains :) I'm definitely sticking with my policy because the day we did Sargeants Gulley last year an entire climb fairly close by came off almost in one piece, sometime during the night...shortly after being climbed by an elite group. Gulp! It had looked quite secure and we only declined having a play on it's lower part because we were a bit tired.

Your photo didn't come out - can you post it again?
Previously 2685 'Loco Perro' and 2345 'Tachyon'

Offline Torchy

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Previously 2685 'Loco Perro' and 2345 'Tachyon'

Offline ToddDembrey

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Re: Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2014, 04:13:55 PM »
http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.html?id=133204

To be honest I would take Tower Ridge over most waterfall ice (especially our rather limited supply in the south west)

Offline Torchy

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Re: Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2014, 10:25:34 PM »
Funny thing happening on UKC - I could see the thumbnail of the photo but when I signed in I just got a very big UKC banner again.

Got the gist tho'

Tower Ridge might be on the menu in March, any info welcome, and yes, when was there waterfall ice in SW?  :)

Previously 2685 'Loco Perro' and 2345 'Tachyon'

Offline ToddDembrey

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Re: Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2014, 05:20:00 PM »
I have no advice beyond the standard. Start early, move quickly you have much ground to cover. If you start pitching the easier bits it slows you down significantly.

I'm being a bit cheeky saying SW, you need to get into South Wales!

http://andymountains.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/torpantau-waterfall.html

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=9821

Offline Torchy

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Re: Is the Kinder Downfall climbable?
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2014, 09:36:47 AM »
Ta...love the photo on Andy's blog...very 'Alpine'
Previously 2685 'Loco Perro' and 2345 'Tachyon'