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