Seven of us set out from Theresa just after 07h00 in cool and blustery weather with a very strong southerly wind. We took the off road route at a leisurely pace to the base of Woody Buttress. We ascended the main route to just below the chimneys where we turned off to start the Not Not Woody route. We had our beverage break soon after safely negotiating the loose rock tunnel. The scrambles were gracefully managed by all and we had shade for the full ascent except at the summit. The wind was howling on top which kept us cool on the slog past the museum to the turn off to the Junction Peak route. By prior arrangement one of the group left us at the intersection to descend KP and then we were six. We had some fun in the tunnels and cracks en route to the lunch spot, breaking at 12h30. After lunch we topped the summit approaching from the south east and savoured the 360 degree views as the wind had abated and the visibility was reasonable. We descended on the north east side to the aqueduct path to be met by a few forlorn red disas well past their prime. As we were a small experienced group (and none wished to swim), the decision was taken to divert up Echo Valley rather than straight down past the MC hut to KP. This proved costly in terms of time and effort and no doubt we all subsequently felt a proper day had been spent on the mountain. After Valley of the Red Gods, two of the party sped up to the KP descent and then we were four. The descent was comfortable with the advance party reaching the cars at 16h20 and the principal fragment 30 minutes later.
