Griffs Access

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yetix

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Joined
Sep 28, 2016
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Couple of friends were at Griffs yesterday and when leaving bumped into the landowner who said something along the lines of "you're on private land, and if you injure yourself then we are liable. you can climb across the road which is public, but not this side (Griffs)"

Fairly certain that the landowners comments about liability are untrue, however could be some potential access issues so thought I would post this here.


Also FYI most of Griffs is dry I hear other than the bovine start hold and crack and possibly a few lower starts
 
That side has always technically been no access IIRC, hence why it didn't have a topo or go in a guide for a long time.
Landowners can have liability for accidents on their property (I think this is what scares quarry owners, water companies, councils etc in some cases), but I'm unsure of the details and it wouldn't surprise me if some it is guess work and not well tested in court? Ru or BMC people may know more.
 
I think given how rare it is to bump into the landowner here I don't think it's necessary to cease access based on this encounter.
If anyone does meet him again, please pass on BMC contact info, or my details if you have them and maybe point them at that link.
 
Also just worth reiterating to try and keep damage to the fence and what used to be a wall to a minimum. I rebuilt the wall a bit last year and tried to make it easier to get over the fence without standing on it. Might be worth a bit of effort to maintain when people start going.
 
:agree:
The wire on the fence is damaged in places due to people standing on it, which is completely unnecessary as you can stride over it without great effort. It could do with some supplementary bits of wire adding to back up areas where bits have snapped. I've done this with reasonable success in the past.
 
I met the farmer today as I was leaving griffs. He did make it clear it was private land and in the conversation it came up that he was worried about the fence. However, he seemed a nice chap and I got the impression that he would be open to allowing informal access. He seemed most annoyed that no one had ever asked him if it was OK to access the climbing. He didn't ask me to leave as I was leaving anyway and it was all very amicable. I did mention the bmc would be a point of contact to discuss access. So please be careful with the fence and be polite if you speak to him and leave if asked to do so.
 
I know its good conditions at the moment, but isnt it a good idea to try and give Griffs a wee bit of a wide berth at the moment - or at least be really careful about how its left etc..?

If I were the farmer and only just found out - I'd be craning my neck to see what was going on every time I drove past!!!
 
Whilst a generally low numbers is good it would be also be great if we could get a name and number/email for the farmer as it sounds like there might be receptive to access discussions. Which is a good reason for clued up folk who've read this thread to not stay away. Ideally we could agree to install or pay for the installation of a stile and a new fence section or two.
 
Yep based on my encounter I agree with that jon. He was a nice chap and his main concern was finding his sheep! Any damage to his fence or if it gets too busy and that may well change. If it happens again I will try to get a contact.
 
Live report from a source who's at the crag. Someone (/the landowner) has just now put up a "no access" sign and added a load more barbed wire across the fence.
 
Have heard that people have still been going to griffs on the bank holiday weekend and parking was full. If anyone sees anyone there can they please remind them of the current assess issues...

(I know there's a big red sign...)
 
Parking being full doesn't necessarily mean people are climbing at Griffs, I was there a few weeks ago and it was full despite my being the only one climbing there.
 
A barbed wire and a fence can be interpreted in different ways, they might be there to protect the climbers. We've got to be careful not to make sweeping assumptions.
 
Please refer to the top of the thread over what the landowner has said to people before
 
Right, sarcasm missed. What a daft thing that would be to say. Should put this ;) but always think that looks a bit naff. Never mind.
 


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