[Minime]

Hi all...new to the group/forum...live in Liverpool and was wondering if anyone had any ideas for where I could take my son bouldering within say a fifty mile radius...your challenge in recommending an area...he is 5 (nearly 6) yrs old...mad keen on climbing (both ropes and bouldering indoors), but is constantly on at me to 'take him outdoors climbing'. As the weather is on the mend (I crossed everything when I typed that bit), I thought I should start seeing what I could do with him. I have a DMM highball pad on the way...and don't want him going too high at the moment without rope protection from above...so low level easier bouldering that may lead him on to other more difficult problems is what I am hoping for...many thanks in anticipation...I have uk bouldering guide book...but...although in think its a fpgreat guide...it don't think it was written with five year olds in mind...cheers.

[wintermute]

Craig Y Longridge would be ideal. Like an indoor bouldering wall, but outside. Nice flat grassy landy, and whilst parts are quite high there are shorter sections and plenty of traversing at all heights.

Assuming the book you have is 'boulder britain', it will be in there but a more detailed guide can be downloaded for free from here - http://www.lakesbloc.com/crags/anomalous-crags/330-craig-y-longridge.html

(Also some other venues on lakesbloc that will fit the bill, like windy clough, thorn crag, woodwell etc. but a bit further from you)

[Moo]

Get him in parisellas cave early and we could have a scouse Ondra

[andy_e]

RAC boulders might be a good bet, but is Snowdonia within the magic radius?

[Minime]

Thanks for replies so far...snowdonia is a bit too far at the moment for him...thinking within an hour drive...I can only stand having to listen to 'game' theme tunes (cut the rope, temple run etc) on the iPad for that long before I want to self harm...anything in the Peak?

Our summer holiday is in the lakes south of Windermere...???

[Moo]

The langdale boulders is a lovely spot near there mate.

[notbadforafatlad]

You could try either Graffiti Walls or Monument Boulders near Llangollen. My kids always liked bouldering there at that age and they are not too far from the road. They are about 30 miles as the crow flies from Liverpool.

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=10259

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=2892

[mrjonathanr]

Get a short rope and the area facing the entrance to Pex Hill would fill an hour.

[fatneck]

As above really but to add that Pex is really local and you can do a lot there. I've always taken my kids there.

Frodsham is worth the trip as well. Lots of easy stuff and although there is a lot of high stuff, there's plenty of traversing to be had so that the lad doesn't have to go too high!

Assuming you've been the Hangar and made use of their Pirate Ship and Castle set up etc?

Cheers,

Si

[andy_e]

You could also try Brownstones quarry near Bolton. Lots of easier problems with flat landings there.

[tomtom]

You could also try Brownstones quarry near Bolton. Lots of easier problems with flat landings there.

And lots of very polished edges... you don't want to put the lad off on his first time outside!