Neil Dyer has added a brutal sit down start to James Pond at the Cromlech Boulders. James Pond is an old problem, dismissed somewhat unfairly I admit (along with the V6 on the right) as “not very good” both in the recent guide and in previous Northern Soul fanzines. Paul Higginson first climbed the line, which makes a hard and powerful rock up from the left side of the ramp on the Bog Traverse, back in 97/98.

The recent run of good weather has allowed the normally water-logged ‘bog’ to dry up. In between spotting sessions for a certain website editor struggling with an adjacent line, Neil explored the possibilities of a low start. At first he tried on the left using a sloping undercut pinch, but to no avail – a project for somebody? Then, said website editor wandered over and pointed at an obvious crimp (left hand) and side pull (right hand) a metre or so to the right; a few goes later Neil had hit the ramp, held the violent footless swing on one locked off arm, and continued up James Pond.

James Pond gets a book grade of V8/7b (an opinion based mostly on a repeat from Kristian Clemmow many moons ago), however Neil reckoned it was probably V7/7a+ by modern standards. He suggested V8/7b ish for the full sitter.

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