Rock climbing in the Peak District

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Rock climbers on "Ellis' Eliminate" (grade VS 4c) on Stanage.
Rock climbers on "Ellis' Eliminate" (grade VS 4c) on Stanage.

Rock climbing is a very popular activity in the Peak District; on warm bank holidays hundreds of climbers can be seen on popular edges such as Stanage or Froggatt. Generally the climbing style is free climbing (as opposed to aid climbing) and the rock is either gritstone or limestone. Climbing has been practised all over the Peak District since the late 19th century; James W. Puttrell is generally credited with starting the practice.

One of the most famous climbers of modern times, in the Peak District, and a pioneer of many new routes, is Ron Fawcett. "Master's Edge", at Millstone Quarry, near Hathersage, is a testament to his great skill, physical strength and daring.

[edit] Gritstone

There is a long-standing practice of climbing routes in the traditional climbing style. The major 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)

These are the Ordnance Survey names, climbers sometimes have different names for them (sometimes shortened versions of the standard names, like "Stanage" instead of "Stanage Edge").

[edit] Limestone

Generally in-situ bolts and pitons are more acceptable on limestone and some crags are almost exclusively bolted.

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