The Stell Part One

Alec Burns On The Figurehead

Northumbrian Mountaineering Club Supplement

Bob Smith

A series of downloadable PDF guides to new bouldering venues , problems, highballs and routes in Northumberland, including: The Stell

Whiteheugh

Raven’s Crag

Caller Crag , Corby’s and Edlingham

Greensheen Hill

Parkside Wood

The Maiden Chambers Area

St Cuthbert’s Cave

The Bowden Area

The Wanneys Group

Beanly Moor and Hunterheugh

Blakey’s Bloc

Cockenheugh

Kyloe Out

Rothley

The Ravensheugh Area

Banno Crags

Titlington and the Turban

South Yardhope

Brady’s Crag

Coquet View

Shitlington

Lostworld

Lookwide

Howlerhirst

High Crag

NMC Northumbrian Mountaineering Club

The Stell—A Bouldering Guide Part One

...Northumberland Bouldering

Introduction...

TECHNICAL NOTES

BOULDERING GRADES

The location of each crag is indicated by its Grid Reference.

It is true to say that there are only two grades, the problems and routes you can do, and those you can’t. To the keen boulderer however it soon becomes apparent that this can be sub divided into the problems you can do and your mates can’t, and vice versa! Grading boulder problems (and some routes) is an almost impossible task. The table below is a rough comparison of the common systems in use. Visitors to the County will probably find that, until they get used to the style of the problems and the intricacies of climbing on the County’s various Sandstones, the accuracy of the table will be questionable. Grades are an art rather than a science, and while difficulty is central to bouldering , it is easily confused with quality.

FONT UK TECH V GRADE GRADE GRADE The pursuit of which is an equally rewarding endeavour.

3 4c VB The various grading systems are well understood, and like grades

Maps The County is covered by seven Ordnance Survey Explorer (1:25,000) maps. Sheets 339 (Kelso), 340 (Holy Island), OL16 (The Cheviot Hills), 332 (Alnwick and Amble), OL42 (Kielder Water), 325 (Morpeth) and OL43 (Hadrian’s Wall). The majority of the crags lie on sheets 340 and 332.

General On occasions the problems are referenced to routes that are not described in the climbing guide, or in the second edition bouldering guide. You may need these guides or to ask a local climber help you locate the problems.

Sit Starts Most problems are written up as standing starts off one mat only! Generally sit starts are added at the end of a description where they add either to the difficulty, or quality. Only rarely will a sit start be separately named.

Rules It has long been understood in Northumberland that if a twig is found on a ‘good’ foothold, then the foothold is out of bounds. The same applies to bedding planes , ledges and footholds in contact with the ground. Usually these are out of bounds. The previous guide wisely suggested that if you are wondering if the foothold is in, then it probably is not!

Further Information The NMC website has a variety of resources relating to climbing in the County. If you have this PDF you’ve probably found it already. Otherwise go to: www.thenmc.org.uk

are an ongoing source of debate regarding their respective merits.

In these PDF guides we have retained the Font grades introduced in the last guidebook and their use is now established and understood.

Highballs The height of many crags in the County demands a highball approach. Mats can reduce the consequences when highballing goes wrong, but there comes a point when they look very small. Many of these ‘problems’ would have been considered small routes not long back, (though some in this new series are not so small) and occasionally are compounded with bad landings. Falling off them should not be treated casually. While Highballs are self-evident, shorter problems can require careful padding and spotting — all have risks.

Be careful!

4

5a V0

4+

5b

5 5+

V1 5c

6a 6a+

V2 6a

V3

6b 6b+ 6c

V4 6b

V5

6c+

New Problems Descriptions of new problems and routes should be sent to newroutes @thenmc.org.uk. A description, grade, date and name of first ascentionist should be included. A photo with a line marking the route would also help.

Bob Smith Greensheen Slopers Traverse Greensheen Hill Photo: Steve Blake

7a

V6

Steve Blake

7a+

Dutch Courage

7b

Shitlington

7b+

V8

7c

V9

7c+

V10

Photo: Alec Burns

8a

6c

7a

8a+ 8b

V7

V11 V12

7b

V13

8b 8b+

V14

8c

V15

8C+

1

2

...Northumberland Bouldering

Introduction...

without beating it into submission. We need to have enough humility to understand that the rock’s needs are more important than our egos. Learn to walk away and come back when you’re capable.

SUSTAINABILITY The quality and durability of Sandstone in Northumberland varies significantly both on and between crags. Iron hard rock with a case hardened patina can coexist with a super soft cheesy substance soft enough to be shaped by hand.

Sadly there is much evidence that the tough patina when worn away reveals a soft inner that rapidly erodes. There are many examples, but Vienna at Bowden Doors is probably the most famous example, which in its current deplorable state is a much easier and sad shadow of the original .

3. Be gentle with brushwork, and minimal with your chalk. Climbing indoors, we can brush the holds to our hearts content; outdoors, the effect can be catastrophic.

4.

Poor footwork also impacts, so clean your shoes before you begin an attempt. Modern shoes allow a huge amount of force to be exerted through the feet, eg twisting on smears has a grinding effect that speeds up erosion. Be aware, use good footwork and tread lightly.

5.

Don’t use the problems for training. Running laps may look cool, but do it indoors on plastic, not on the rock.

6.

Take your junk home, don’t light fires, don’t leave gates open. If you must, learn how to shit in the woods. Do not be generally antisocial.

Over the last thirty years the popularity of Rock Climbing and Bouldering has accelerated and there is much similar evidence of our impact on the crags. Routes and problems on Sandstone, especially on fragile and well-used Sandstone, are a finite resource and need careful and sensitive protection if they are to survive.

It is worth repeating that you should not climb on sandstone when there is any evidence of dampness. The rock becomes significantly weaker losing its bonding when damp, and is susceptible to accelerated erosion and breakage. Once a break occurs, or the outer patina is penetrated, then the effects of erosion are exponential.

David Murray On Barnaby Rudge The Good Book Section, The Stell.

Alec Burns collection

Vienna Bowden Doors

Many magnificent routes in Northumberland have escaped significant damage, principally because the habit of top roping hard routes has not been adopted as readily as elsewhere. Bouldering however, is a particularly intensive game which can see a team cycling through repeated attempts on a problem, brushing and ragging between each effort. The impact of this can be seen on relatively recent problems on which holds are already bleaching out., and this is on rock thought of as hard.

We are the stewards of these places. There are many things we can do to minimise our direct impact on them: 1. Everyone should acknowledge and understand the fragility of the medium and learn to walk away if there is any suggestion of dampness and the rock is not in condition.

2. Set yourself a realistic number of attempts at a problem, if you can’t do it, leave it until you can do it

3

4

The Stell

...The Stell

OS Map Sheet OL332 : GR 064041 Altitude: 213m

Right of Access Under CROW

Alnwick

Aspect: North West Facing Approach: 15 Minutes LOCATION AND CHARACTER Rothbury

The crag is located on Debdon Moor, approximately 1.5 miles north of Rothbury, a market town north west of Morpeth, and south west of Alnwick. Rothbury and its environs are shown on OS 1:50,000 map sheet 81 and the 1:25,000 sheet OL332 at GR 064041.

A697

A1

The crag is approximately 120m long and faces north west. It catches the afternoon and evening sun in the summer. It is exposed and doesn’t carry much drainage. As such it dries out quickly. This also means that if the wind is blowing from the west then you will feel it.

The crag is on Access Land and climbers have a right of access to the crags. However the moor has signs of being a managed shoot. It is possible that applications for temporary closure could be applied for. These would have to be agreed by Natural England and posted on the Access Land web site. This can be found at www.openaccess.naturalengland.org.uk.

Morpeth

The diagrams opposite should be sufficient to get a newcomer to the crag.

The rock is good quality, blocky fell sandstone, which has probably been quarried in antiquity. The problems range in difficulty from 5+ through to 8b. There are both highballs and problems of a more modest height, and many will test your mantling technique to complete them in good style. Despite having been climbed on since 2008 some problems are showing signs of wear. The large side hold of Stuck In The Middle is already taking a beating. Please tread lightly.

B6341

Steve Blake On The Joker

Rothbury

Approach Parking is available in the Debdon Forest pullout on the west side of the Rothbury/Alnwick road (B6341) Please do not block either the access to the forestry yard, or the main track which provides access for farms on Debdon Moor.

The crag is a 15 minute walk from the parking area. Follow the track west, and once through the gate follow another track north. This passes through a small quarry and then a birchwood. Once clear of the wood, strike north across the moor, passing to the right of the power pole. The crag can’t be seen but will be reached in five minutes, following a variety of quad and sheep tracks cross the moor. Note that it is prone to being boggy, but a wet hike does not necessarily mean the crag will be damp.

5

B6341

P

6

...The Stell

Introduction...

The Left Hand Section

HISTORY The crag was discovered in 2008 by Steve Blake as part of his ongoing forensic exploration of the County’s undiscovered crags. It was a surprising discovery given the crag is marked on the map and can be seen from the Carriage Walk (a popular ramble to the West of Debdon Moor). Its discovery is all the more fortuitous given Steve almost turned back when nothing could be seen on the first approach.

Matterhorn Block

Last & First

Blocky Block

Development by Steve and the ‘Back in the Day’ team followed pretty promptly . Blake snapped up the highball lines on the pinnacle and several shorter problems on the rest of the crag. These lines were either cleaned on the go or with a very long cleaning brush! They are all excellent. Bob Smith, Alec Burns, Ian and David Murray, and John Earl all got in on the act. Bob’s Wandering Minstrel traverse being notable, as is the mantle problem on the Blocky Block. Martin Waugh eventually subdued the steep Doctor’s Orders and Chris Sowden, a Yorkshire visitor, nipped in to claim the steep Sowden’s Roof.

Chris Graham visited and added a characteristically hard and direct start to Stuck in the Middle, while Dan Varian was made aware of the crag after a Mark Savage photo shoot. After a number of visits, Dan’s steely fingers established Great Expectations, (the hardest problem on the crag) . He, or Aido Holt, climbed the slopers and mantle to the left of Stuck’s (very) direct start thus adding a very hard and direct start to the Clown on the pinnacle . There may be others yet to do but they will undoubtedly be very hard and eliminate in their nature.

The Centre The Neb

Wandering Minstrel

Great Expectations

The crag is described from Left to Right. Key features are the Blocky Block, the Matterhorn Block, the Neb, the Great Expectations Block, Moby Dick and the West Wall.

The Right Hand Section Great Expectations

Moby Dick

West Wall

Steve Blake Making use of his span.

Stuck in the Middle.

Bob Smith The Doldrums

7

8

The Stell...

….Last & First Section

Last & First Section…

. ..The Stell

7 3 1

4 2 4.

1.

First and Last

6a BS

Directly up the centre of the wall.

5.

2.

SS Get established on the wall and drift left to go up the blunt rib.

6b NK

Misnamed, it’s not easy! A tricky move with poor footholds leads to a large hold and easier climbing to the top.

3.

The Man from the Ministry 6c BS

SS The scooped wall, then up and left, quite awkward. Start with your left hand on crimps and your right on the arête. Pull on and work your right hand up the arête until the left reaches the quartz holds up and left

9

6

The Wee Man 6c BS?

The wall at the far left hand edge of the crag Easy Wall

5

6.

The Little Leaner 6B+ BS

Sowders

6b+ CS

SS Pull up the blunt arête and continue by an obvious horizontal sloper.

7.

Spanman 7a

MW

SS Start as for Sowders, but span right to the obvious slot on the right.

Continue up the right edge (left of the crack)

Bob Smith On The Little Leaner Bob Smith collection

10

The Stell…

...Last & First Section

The Blocky Bloc…

...The Stell

7

13

6 6.

8

9 10

11

12

Sowders Arete 6b+ CS

Sit Start . The blunt arête which is climbed on good crimps and reaches to a rounded finish.

The Tank Block

7.

Sit Start . Clamp the blunt arête, pull on and pivot left, palming along the top edge

Spanman 7a

10.

MW

Sit Start. A difficult eliminate. Start as for Sowders then span, crimp, udge or squirm up and right to

The Flapper

6c

CS

Sit Start. From the obvious hold pull out and left, reach up to the sloping finger rail up right and then the sloping finish.

9.

Bubble Goose

The Tank Groove

6b+ BS

6c BS

Sit Start. Layaway up the quartz dyke to a standing position—simple!

12.

the slot 8.

11.

The Tank Arete

Too hard for Blakey

7a? BS

Chris Sowden

An outrageous mantle up the centre of the bloc should be straightforward, but isn’t!

On The Reach

13.

Bob Smith collection

Sit Start. Clamp the box like arête and mantle onto the tank.

Box Arete 6b+ ?

7b+ DV

Sit Start. Climbs the right side of the nose.

The right wall is (obviously) out.

11

12

The Stell…

...The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn…

. ..The Stell

a

a

14

b

14 15

20 16

18 18a

16 17 The Matterhorn Pinnacle.

18 18a

These lines are all quite highball! Thankfully there is a good jug at the top which allows you to compose yourself for stepping down and across the gap. The variations around Stuck in the Middle are all fun and some are pretty hard!

14.

Crevasse Wall

6b

SB

21

19

The Matterhorn Pinnacle.

17.

Steelers. 7b/c? AH or DV

Sit Start. Using the prominent low pocket left of Stuck in The Middle, reach over the lip, whistle for a magic carpet and when it doesn’t arrive levitate up on the obvious slopers.

18.

Stuck in the Middle — Left Direct Start 7b+ CG

Up the wall of the crevasse using the right arête.

Sit Start. Using the layaway edge, muscle up to the bump and layaway over the lip. Using these rock over onto and into the slab micro groove. Continue.

15.

18a. Stuck in the Middle

Left Edge 6b

SB

Up the slab using the left arête.

16a. Eliminate A

6b

SB

Up the slab, no left arête and no sneaking over to the pocket on the right.

16b. The Clown 6a+ (E1 5B) SB The first route on the pinnacle. Traverse diagonally rightwards until a two finger pocket for the right hand allows the arête to be reached. Up this to a jug at the top.

13

Chris Graham

7b

SB

Sit Start. Using the obvious layaway edge, muscle up to the bump, pop right and right again.

On Stuck in the Middle

Compress and hook leftward into the micro groove. Continue. (7a from the original stand start.)

Mark Savage collection

19.

The Joker to the Right.

6c

SB

Up the centre of the wall until the upper arête is reached, Monkey up this to the top.

20.

Chessica Rabbit.

7c DV

Sit start as for 18, but use small crimps to drift up and right to the upper right hand arête.

21.

The Gully Wall. 6b+ SB

Sit Start. Clamp the back facet until a pull around to the right can be made, which leads to the arête and top.

14