Stanage Edge

Yesterday, I went to Stanage Edge, a gritstone escarpment that forms that border between the High Peak District and Sheffield in South Yorkshire.  Gritstone is a coarse version of sandstone laid down when the area was a delta during the Carboniferous period.  It was once quarried to be used as grindstones for milling flour.  Apparently, it is known as “God’s own rock” by climbers and Stanage is well known for the excellent routes and boulder problems.

I walked through this beautiful woodland on my way to an area known as the Plantation Boulders.

It was quite cold on the rock, especially in the wind.  There was a thin layer of ice on this pool.

I ate lunch on top of a rock known as “The Mental Problem”.  From here you can see some of the boulder problems I did on “The Long Block” and “The Photograph”.   I picked up an excellent guidebook, Stanage – the Definitive Guide, which helped me get oriented. 

Here is someone nearing the top of the route known as “Goliath’s Groove”.

In other climbing-related news, River and Sage came to the Nottingham Climbing Centre last week during their half-term break.  River learned how to belay her sister!

Then she had a go at it herself.

They had a great time climbing!

I think we’ll probably all try to get out to Stanage sometime soon.  Climbing outside on the gritstone is terrific.