[JDobo]

Hey just wondering if anyone knows how long Manley Knoll takes to dry out, since in the Cheshire sandstone guide it  seems very green and shaded. Really want to go and try backwoods man before the summers ends.

Cheers 

[tomtom]

It takes a while as has a couple of minor drainage lines running over the face holds IIRC. Its not as fast drying as some spots...

However if you do go - make sure you knock on the huge house to the right of the cliff (if looking at it from the road) as last time we were there the woman who lived there said she would like to be informed if people go up there (it is their land...).

TT

[JDobo]

Cheers, hoping that this weather should dry it out pretty fast!

I didn't know that it was private land so I will make sure to inform her beforehand. I presume she is fine with people climbing there but just doesn't want the area trashed if she said that?

[tomtom]

Cheers, hoping that this weather should dry it out pretty fast!

I didn't know that it was private land so I will make sure to inform her beforehand. I presume she is fine with people climbing there but just doesn't want the area trashed if she said that?

She seemed fine - just didn't want anyone dying and being left up there!! From what she said there had been some 'kids' (her words) climbing about up there a few weeks back and she just didnt want anything bad to happen.. Me and Andy were just packing up stuff into the cars when she swung by in her Discovery and we had a little chat...

[JDobo]

Well I can't see her having a problem with me climbing there the way I am with pads 

[andy popp]

Please do ask.  The house is itself called Manley Knoll. Considering she caught Tom and I on her private property she was remarkably reasonable,  it  would be good if all returned the courtesy.  If you could let us know what sort of reaction you get that would be great.  Backwodsman should be bone dry.

[JDobo]

I will do  but damn I wouldn't have expected it to dry that quick. I should have gone today...

[andy popp]

I've just remembered I've been out of the country for nearly two weeks and have no idea what the weather's been doing.  It's been really hot in Finland so if it was here it would definitely be dry.

[tomtom]

It rained a bit a couple of days ago... When we went earlier in the year Andy it was dry ish but still damp/green over Backwoods Man... anyway - take yer chances and have a look. Its not that far to Harmers and Helsby if its not in

[steveri]

Anyone know anything about a recent ascent here? Big leaning wall left of Manley Virtues, Highball, tall and scary. Definitely not considering it, just interested

[teestub]

This one?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE1YzWMDDf2EXigT9x8GpbcuYOXBFv6no9PFK00/?igshid=gewhxd2lgsxs

[andy popp]

Very cool that that got done. It's a lovely little spot.

There are a couple of other recent videos on his channel that look like Cheshire sandstone but don't have any details. Anyone got any ideas?

[tomtom]

There are a couple of other recent videos on his channel that look like Cheshire sandstone but don't have any details. Anyone got any ideas?

I can't identify the crag... mystery!!

[Will Hunt]

I've just put comments on them asking for info. A frustrating lack of detail given!
Owl's Choice looks brilliant. I can't tell if the scream at the top is for power or from fear.

[Fiend]

I'd abbed this last autumn and took this to get a mate interested:



It's very cool, very high but the landing is great, flat and slopes up a tiny bit. Rock needs a slightly careful touch. E6/7 6c probably 

[steveri]

That's the one thanks, chalk on it at the weekend but guess it could be old given the angle. You can see the lean here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7OtoFDJAZc/

"I can't tell if the scream at the top is for power or from fear."
It's a lo-ong way

Thing L of Backwoods Man looks good too, also under the radar.

[andy popp]

It's a funny place; there's a lot of choss, but the good things are really worthwhile.

Worth re-emphasizing that you are meant to ask for permission at Manley House.

[Will Hunt]

Interesting that Tom's line goes a little right of where Fiend imagined it would go. I've been up the easy start of Manley Virtues but didn't want to commit to the hard bit as I was on my own with one pad. It's high, but not that high and the landing is perfect.

[Fiend]

My judgement of how to climb E7 / 7B/C stuff whilst abbing in my trainers and not being able to pull in cos it's steep is a bit shoddy. It was really nice to see how it goes in the video.

Ask Muscle.Goat about the top of Manley Virtues, he was talking in E grades not V grades for it. The crux, although not hard, is morpho, so I expect TT cruised it as per the book photo.

[steveri]

It's a funny place; there's a lot of choss, but the good things are really worthwhile.

Worth re-emphasizing that you are meant to ask for permission at Manley House.

To be fair, it's not mentioned in the guide, ukc or BMC RAD. I've suggested an update on ukc and the RAD.

[Will Hunt]

Ask Muscle.Goat about the top of Manley Virtues, he was talking in E grades not V grades for it.

I expect that climbing without preplaced protection all over the shop was a shock to the system though. 

[andy popp]

It's a funny place; there's a lot of choss, but the good things are really worthwhile.

Worth re-emphasizing that you are meant to ask for permission at Manley House.

To be fair, it's not mentioned in the guide, ukc or BMC RAD. I've suggested an update on ukc.

Even better reason to mention it again. I didn't know when I wrote that chapter for the guide, but it would be great to get UKC and the BMC updated - thanks for doing that.

[steveri]

Even better reason to mention it again. I didn't know when I wrote that chapter for the guide, but it would be great to get UKC and the BMC updated - thanks for doing that.

No absolutely, perhaps a phone number might suit the owners better - it looks like a separate approach march to the house.

[Johnny Brown]

Looks great, although Newman is massive isn't he? What does the arête go at?

[andy popp]

It's Manley Virtues, V6, and it definitely feels taller than it looks in the video.

[Will Hunt]

Looks great, although Newman is massive isn't he? What does the arête go at?

Manley Virtues. 7A. All the difficulty is in the second half. There's a photo of TomTom on it in the guide which, if I remember rightly, shows off the steepness of the upper arete and the wall to the left nicely.

[tomtom]

Even better reason to mention it again. I didn't know when I wrote that chapter for the guide, but it would be great to get UKC and the BMC updated - thanks for doing that.

No absolutely, perhaps a phone number might suit the owners better - it looks like a separate approach march to the house.

Thats a good idea - as the house is a distance from the road etc... Though unless we get both a lengthy dry spell and an end to lockdown restrictions its off limits (I'd suggest - to keep access)

[Will Hunt]

Would it be possible to drop a pin on the right house and maybe the access road that leads to it?
I'd assumed it would be this one, accessed by the drive coming in from the north west:
https://goo.gl/maps/dZEmj3TsGpVBLxBf8

However, looking on the map the house that's called Manley Knoll is the thing that looks like an old hall, accessed by a long drive that curves around from a more southerly point on the road.
https://goo.gl/maps/CqdPjpTpMP9YmcBfA

I confess that when I went I wasn't sure which house to ask at so ended up just accessing discretely.

[m.cooke.1421]

https://www.doogal.co.uk/FindPostcode.php
https://www.ukmapcentre.com/acatalog/2500_by_post.html#.VRk59PnF8dg
These are two useful sites if wanting to find the address for a property or find a property if you have an address

[steveri]

I've tracked down an email for the owners of Manley Knoll and been in touch - he's still supportive of climbing ...I was a bit nervous of the current situation as it's seeing a bit of traffic currently and you can see chalk on the big roof from the road. Few new variants gone up for strong people. I popped up for some lockdown meandering recently and found 4 other people already there.

Anyways, permission sought and granted. He didn't answer the bit where I asked if he wanted access details publishing. I've strengthened up the wording on ukc and the BMC RAD. Let me know if you want an email address, rather than making it public.

[andy popp]

Thanks for doing that Steve. Seems broadly positive.

[sxrxg]

Just wondering if it might be worth considering if lamping is acceptable at this venue? Seems a few people have been up there at night and i am not sure if this is a great idea being visible from both the road and nearby houses. Would be a shame if goodwill with the landowner was lost due to night sessions.

[andy popp]

I'm no longer local but I would say it is definitely not an appropriate venue for lamping.

To be honest, though I love the place, I'm surprised to hear of any level of popularity, there really isn't that much there.

[Will Hunt]

Never underestimate the potential popularity of a chossy, unpleasant roof if it's next to the road and you can do loads of eliminates on it.

[Fiend]

Never underestimate the potential popularity of a chossy, unpleasant roof if it's next to the road and you can do loads of eliminates on it.

What, are people still getting in trouble at DWR area??

[dunnyg]

Wash yer mouth out 

[steveri]

Ermm yes, really not the right spot IMO - https://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/dbpage.php?id=361060
Andy - you've changed

FWIW I took the landowner permission to be 'fill your boots Steve' rather than 'fill your boots everyone, and bring massive lights'.