[steveri]

Stuff like Lepperts, Yates' and other harder stuff have got chalk on now. Hayden's looking better too as of last night (ran through) and bits of chalk.

[Will Hunt]

Can't remember if I mentioned this, Mark, but if you go to try The Dark Ark or The Prodigal Sons (or any of the routes that don't get done that often) then take a bit of rope to ab down and give them a quick brush. As much as anything, on some of these Cheshire things you need to go down in advance and mark the holds as they can be quite difficult to tell apart from all the other little ripples and grooves in the rock from below.

They are filthy at the moment - that quarry gets much less action/light/wind. Might even be worth brushing, going and having a cuppa for an hour or so to let any residual dampness under the crud disappate. Nice lines though..

That's a shame. It's surprising how quickly those things have started to turn, given that they were clean less than 2 years ago.
Is there no scene of people on Cheshire sandstone who are regularly climbing above 7A and who want to climb these things? Obviously I can appreciate that the newer stuff is less well known about as it missed the guidebook, but I would have expected word of mouth to ensure at least one or two ticks each year. The DA should be on everyone's ticklist. Of course I'm biased but I also though Prodigal Sons would be worth doing as well, and stuff like The Midnight Bell looks even better.

[steveri]

All well out of my league but Midnight Bell is rapidly returning to nature sadly, Prodigal Sons doesn't look too smart currently

[Will Hunt]

Here's hoping that the post Brexit government will repeal the Clean Air Act. We'll all die a bit younger, but the crags will be clean again and presumably some businesses will profit.

[mark20]

Went over this morning. 1h30 mins from Sheffield if you go early enough to miss the traffic. No excuses for not having been before, what a crag!
The main bit all dry and clean. Prodigal Sons was a bit damp in the break. The Dark Ark didn't need much of a clean, and it's now fully chalked, with a few red herrings for interest... Class problem 

[andy popp]

Went over this morning. 1h30 mins from Sheffield if you go early enough to miss the traffic. No excuses for not having been before, what a crag!
The main bit all dry and clean. Prodigal Sons was a bit damp in the break. The Dark Ark didn't need much of a clean, and it's now fully chalked, with a few red herrings for interest... Class problem 

Glad you enjoyed it Mark. I hope you won't mind if I post the video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=qCwsfyRnlyY&app=desktop

[steveri]

Just poking this one in case anyone's interested, Harmers has lost its winter coat of gloom. Usual rules apply about a couple of dry days after heavy rain. Nothing above about 6A has much chalk so needs a bit of traffic.

[Droyd]

Not a conditions question, but I figure this is probably the best thread for it: would anyone who's been fancy commenting on what this place might be like to access as a self-propelled wheelchair user? Specifically, how steep/uneven/muddy/awful is the path from the parking to the crag? Does that bring you out at the top or bottom of the crag? If the top, what's it like getting to the bottom? The UKC map doesn't give much info on where the quarries actually are within the woods and which of the two possible parking spots might be best, so all thoughts welcome - cheers.

[Johnny Brown]

I don't really have a much clue on what one could handle but I'd have pushed the bairn's pram in without a second thought.

Specifically, how steep/uneven/muddy/awful is the path from the parking to the crag?

Not very steep, a bit muddy in places, narrow in places going into the quarry. About 150m.

Does that bring you out at the top or bottom of the crag?

Bottom. But you could equally get to the top if you wanted - the main path goes uphill past the quarry.

The UKC map doesn't give much info on where the quarries actually are within the woods and which of the two possible parking spots might be best

This if from the obvious big layby on the southern edge of the wood. Presumably the other is by the NW corner? I haven't been.

[Droyd]

That's really useful - I appreciate you taking the time!

[steveri]

As a walk in it's only a couple of mins. Parking is dead easy but can be tight if 7 or 8 cars turn up at once, if you need space for the chair. Likewise I don't have a feel for what the chair's capable of, but no steps and a couple of roots to navigate, shouldn't be muddy. Conditions have been poor this year, taking a long time to dry but I ran through last week and it was looking more viable.

From the P/picnic table on the ukc map, head up and slightly left into the bottom of the quarry. Bring strong fingers. Hayden's is slightly up the road and almost roadside but currently fairly overgrown.

[Droyd]

Also very useful - thank you (except the bit about strong fingers, which it might be a bit late to do anything about...)!

[Fiend]

Will be gruelling if it's warm but the easy aretes / corners will be great, as will the 6C-7A walls if that's 4-6 grades below your limit.

[Droyd]

Also really good to know Fiend - the 6C-7A stuff in your videos is what got me interested in the place, but I'm just as keen for the easier things given how nice they look and how high everything is.

[JamieG]

I've been trying to remember if there is a little step down into the Classroom quarry or not, which could be tricky for wheelchair access. It's been a few years since I've been, but just on the very right hand side of this photo is what I'm talking about.

https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=191932

But I can't remember if you can go to the side of this or not. I've certainly been with very small kids and perhaps even a pushchair, but the details are hazy. Shame Hayden's quarry is overgrown as that is very easy access.

As an aside I'd take as many pads as you can. It gets pretty high in places, but luckily that landings are all pretty flat as far as I remember. Midge spray might be a good idea too!  Lovely venue though, I should get back there.

[Will Hunt]

I've been trying to remember if there is a little step down into the Classroom quarry or not

Likewise, but I can't remember for sure so haven't said anything. There's a clearer view in TomTom's video thumbnail here which makes it look like it's a ramp down into the Classroom Quarry.

[JamieG]

I've been trying to remember if there is a little step down into the Classroom quarry or not

Likewise, but I can't remember for sure so haven't said anything. There's a clearer view in TomTom's video thumbnail here which makes it look like it's a ramp down into the Classroom Quarry.

Good work Will. Looking at that, I seem to remember you might be able to stick quite far to the right (as we look at that picture) behind some bushes and then down into the main bit of the quarry. If that is the case it shouldn't be too bad for access.

[steveri]

Good work Will. Looking at that, I seem to remember you might be able to stick quite far to the right (as we look at that picture) behind some bushes and then down into the main bit of the quarry. If that is the case it shouldn't be too bad for access.

You’re right, you had me doubting myself briefly but the path comes in right at the back of the video still where those trunks are laid down. There’s actually a fence between the path and the first arêtes/that step now, channeling you the flatter way. I really hope Droyd makes it now and we’re not all collectively going nuts!

PS my pic on the ukc link, documenting the rebirth of my climbing career such that it is, after 10+ years out 

[Droyd]

I really hope Droyd makes it now and we’re not all collectively going nuts!

The plan was to call in en route to Wales next week, but sadly we're likely to have to sack that off due to change in circumstances. I'm very keen to get over there some time soon, though, as venues that we can both get to are extremely rare. Thanks again for all of the detail all.

[andy popp]

Likewise, but I can't remember for sure so haven't said anything.

Me too! You'd think that between us at least one of us could actually remember.

[tomtom]

Likewise, but I can't remember for sure so haven't said anything.

Me too! You'd think that between us at least one of us could actually remember.

The access and paths have changed a few times - there have been steps and last time there was a ramp or sorts. Depends what the friends of Harmers wood have been tinkering with 😀


But maybe this thread is a good opportunity to start a new thread on accessible crags?

[Fiend]

Yeah good idea - pushchair / wheel chair / crutches / elderly folks suitable crags - ideally ones that are semi-pleasant for non-climbers to hang around (and heckle) at.

Also, albeit as everyone on this thread knows, Harmer's is bloody great on a cool breezy day.