Parry and Buys battle it out for Reservoir Dogs

by Jack Geldard – Assistant Editor Perfect gritstone conditions and a recent photograph of Grit-master John Dunne in Climb Magazine inspired Gaz Parry and Jordan Buys to grab repeats of Reservoir Dogs (E8 7a) at Widdop. Both Parry and Buys had two sessions on the route prior to their respective ascents.Gaz managed to lead the route clean on his fourth try of the day in slightly damp conditions.Jordan climbed the route the following day on his second try. Reservoir Dogs was first climbed in 1995 by Peak District raider Robin Barker.Robin was filmed attempting the line for the television series Pennine Rock, presented by Sir Chris Bonnington. The route features a bold and technical start on the right side of the arete to gain a half-height depression (E7ish for this section), from where a slot can be reached – taking good wires.Just above the wires, things start to get tricky.Rounded and holdless lumps are over-come with subtle and powerful moves.A crucial pebble was snapped off several years ago and the route has repelled all subsequent attempts until now.

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