UKBouldering.com
places to visit => indoor walls => Topic started by: yorkshireman on April 30, 2011, 10:28:26 pm
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does anyone know if there are any decent bouldering walls within the portsmouth area or not too far away?
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Bit thin on the ground for bouldering I'm afraid.
I take it you've found fort purbrook in Portsmouth itself? (I personally cant stand the place, way too humid).
The best climbing center round here is Calshot, the other side of southampton but it's pretty thin on bouldering. Only got 1 boulder and 2 traversing walls. Its still miles better than perpetually soggy fort purbrook wall tho.
Or it might be better for you to head to craggy island in guilford, has a bit more bouldering than Calshot but is still mostly lead walls.
anyway you can check em out here:
http://www.craggy-island.com (http://www.craggy-island.com)
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/calshot/rock-climbing.htm (http://www3.hants.gov.uk/calshot/rock-climbing.htm)
http://www.peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk/Fort_Purbrook_Activities.html (http://www.peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk/Fort_Purbrook_Activities.html)
There is also a little wall in southampton itself. 6m tall with top ropes. Feels more like a bouldering wall than a full blown climbing wall but you will need a partner. Worth a look but i doubt you'll be making the trip from Pompey all that often(again way better than purbrook).
http://www.ihampshire.co.uk/profile/281149/Southampton/St-Marys-Leisure-Centre/ (http://www.ihampshire.co.uk/profile/281149/Southampton/St-Marys-Leisure-Centre/)
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cheers for the info.
craggy island-100 mile round trip is just too far 2-3 times a week
the others look either crap or not for a boulderer.hmmm dont think the area is very good for a climber
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cheers for the info.
craggy island-100 mile round trip is just too far 2-3 times a week
the others look either crap or not for a boulderer.hmmm dont think the area is very good for a climber
It's not, but despite the smeg purbrook is worth a look. One room is an old bendcrete wall, so some scope for making up problems. The smeg's not too bad if you can go at quiet times.
St marys, or southampton climbing wall as they now call it, is more limited, you'll have climbed it out in a couple of visits.
Another wall worth looking at is Alton, but possibly the same problem with distance. Can't do a helpful link at the mo.
Southampton uni has a halfway decent wall, possibly better for bouldering than anything else around but expensive to access if you're not a student or employee.
If it's a permanent move you will be disappointed with what's available for bouldering, inside and out. Bring your fingerboard and/or your rope.
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Mates in Southampton go to Alton (http://www.high-sports.co.uk/climbing_site.php?site=alton) in preference to Calshot for bouldering - it's ~30miles/40mins from the centre of portsmouth, less from most of the residential areas. Never been though, so can't comment on the quality.
Edit - doesn't look too bad:
(http://www.high-sports.co.uk/media/uploads/alton_02.jpg)
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just to let you know there a climbing wall on hayling island.
here the website. www.hi-rock.co.uk (http://www.hi-rock.co.uk)