Rock climbing in the Peak District
Rock climbing is a popular activity in the Peak District; particularly on edges such as Stanage or Froggatt. Generally the climbing style is free climbing (as opposed to aid climbing) [citation needed] and the rock is either gritstone or limestone. Climbing has been practised in the Peak District since the late 19th century; James W. Puttrell is generally credited with starting the sport.[citation needed] The first climbing guidebook to the area was Some Gritstone Climbs, by John Laycock, published in 1913. There are over 10,000 routes in the Peak District.[1] One of the most famous Peak District climbers, and a pioneer of many new routes, is Ron Fawcett. The climb known as "Master's Edge", on Millstone Edge, near Hathersage, is a testament to his skill and strength. The climb is graded E7 6c and rises 19m up the near vertical edge.[2]
Gritstone[edit]
The gritstone crags include:
Western Grit (Staffordshire, Kinder, Bleaklow, and the Chew Valley)
- The Roaches
- Hen Cloud
- Ramshaw
- Windgather
- Castle Naze
- Kinder Scout
- Shining Clough
- Dovestones Edge
- Ravenstones
- Rob's Rocks
- Wimberry
Eastern Grit (Derwent Valley, Sheffield, Derbyshire)
- Rivelin Rocks
- Stanage Edge
- Derwent Edge
- Burbage Rocks
- Millstone Edge
- Froggatt Edge
- Curbar Edge
- Birchen Edge
- Gardom's Edge
- Black Rocks
- Bamford Edge
- Higger Tor
- Dovestone Tor (on Derwent Edge)
- Cratcliffe Tor
- Baslow Edge
Limestone[edit]
In-situ bolts and pitons are more acceptable on limestone and some crags are almost exclusively bolted.
References[edit]
- ^ On Peak Rock, foreword
- ^ On Peak Rock, published by the British Mountaineering Council, first edition 1993, ISBN 0-903908-91-3