Condition Analysis
AI-powered assessment using site data and 14-day weather history
Hodge Close is thoroughly saturated after an extremely wet period — nearly 224mm in the last 28 days with heavy rain as recently as June 11 — and conditions today are damp with near-100% humidity and further rain forecast through the week. The polished quarried slate will be dangerously greasy and the sheltered quarry bowl will not have dried out.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning even the brief dry windows on June 12–15 would not have cleared the persistent dampness from such heavy preceding rainfall.
- Seepage from the quarry rim after the massive June 1–11 rainfall period (over 170mm) will still be actively running onto routes, particularly on north-facing walls and along bedding planes.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close become treacherously slippery even with light condensation — in these saturated, high-humidity conditions friction will be virtually nonexistent.
- The deep pool at the base adds to ambient humidity within the quarry bowl, further inhibiting drying of the walls even on otherwise fair days.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate in these conditions will be extremely greasy — even apparently dry-looking surfaces may have an invisible film of moisture that eliminates friction without warning.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim are likely active across multiple routes and may not be obvious from the ground.
- The deep quarry pool and damp walls create a serious hypothermia risk if a climber falls due to unexpected slip on greasy holds.
Reasoning
The rock is almost certainly wet or at minimum heavily condensation-covered: 36mm fell in the last 7 days, 224mm in the last 28 days, today's humidity is 90–99%, and only 2–3 dry days preceded today's renewed rain.
The sheltered quarry bowl with poor air circulation had only a brief window of lighter conditions (June 12–15) after torrential rain, wholly insufficient to dry out seepage lines and quarry walls given persistent 72–83% humidity and moderate temperatures.
Slate is non-porous so structural weakening is not a concern, but prolonged saturation of surrounding soil means rim seepage will continue feeding water onto route surfaces for days after rain stops.
Early June in the Lake District is seeing an exceptionally wet spell; while summer conditions should eventually improve, the current pattern is persistently unsettled with no meaningful dry window forecast.
Contributing Factors
7
Over 223mm in the last 28 days including 58mm on June 4 and 31mm on June 8, leaving the quarry environment thoroughly saturated.
The surrounding ground is waterlogged from weeks of heavy rain, meaning seepage from the quarry rim will be actively running onto walls.
Humidity at 90–99% throughout today with 100% cloud cover prevents any meaningful surface drying and likely deposits condensation on cold slate.
The enclosed amphitheatre shape blocks wind and traps humid air, dramatically slowing drying compared to open crags.
Quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are polished smooth and lose almost all friction when damp, creating severe slip hazard.
Further heavy rain is forecast on June 18 (28mm) and June 19 (24mm), with no sustained dry period in sight.
Two dry days with dropping humidity (72–77%) provided some surface drying but were far too short to clear deep seepage in the sheltered quarry.
Recommendations
3
- Avoid Hodge Close entirely this week — the quarry needs an extended dry spell of at least 4–5 days with lower humidity before conditions will be climbable.
- If you are in the area and desperate to climb, consider exposed open crags with better air circulation and south-facing aspect, but even these will require careful on-site assessment.
- Monitor conditions for late June — a sustained high-pressure system would be needed to properly dry out the quarry bowl after this exceptionally wet period.
Previous Analyses
Do Not Climb
75%
2 days ago
After an extremely wet fortnight (220mm in 28 days) with heavy rain as recently as June 11, the quarry bowl has had only a few marginally dry days and today sees light drizzle returning; polished slate surfaces are very likely still greasy. With further heavy rain forecast from tomorrow onward, conditions are not expected to improve this week.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has poor air circulation, meaning even after nominally dry days the polished slate surfaces can remain damp — especially on north-facing walls that receive no direct sun.
- Seepage from the quarry rim will be active and persistent given 220mm of rain in the past 28 days; water draining through cracks and along ledges above routes can keep lines wet for days after the last significant rainfall.
- The quarried, polished slate surfaces at Hodge Close lose friction dramatically with even a thin moisture film — conditions that might feel acceptable on natural rough rock are genuinely dangerous here.
- Deep water soloing remains an option if water temperature is tolerable, but trad and bouldering on the quarry walls demand fully dry, friction-reliable surfaces.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate becomes treacherously slippery with even light moisture — falls from height on greasy rock are a serious injury risk.
- Seepage lines from the saturated quarry rim may be invisible from below but can make apparently dry routes dangerously slick mid-pitch.
- The upcoming forecast (70mm over 5 days) will reset drying progress entirely; do not assume improving conditions this week.
Reasoning
With 25.4mm on June 11, only trace precipitation on June 12–13, and 0.5mm today, the rock surface may have partially dried on south-facing aspects but north-facing walls and sheltered recesses within the quarry bowl are very likely still damp or greasy.
The sheltered quarry position limits wind penetration despite moderate (17–33 km/h) winds in recent days, and persistent high humidity (78–96%) has severely hampered evaporation from the polished slate surfaces.
Slate is non-porous and not at risk of structural weakening, but prolonged saturation of the surrounding ground ensures ongoing seepage from the quarry rim onto route faces.
Early June in the Lake District with persistently wet and cool weather (average 11.5°C over the past week) provides limited solar drying energy despite long daylight hours.
Contributing Factors
6
220mm in 28 days with major deluges on June 1 (36mm), June 4 (58mm), June 8 (32mm), and June 11 (25mm) have thoroughly saturated the ground and quarry rim, feeding persistent seepage.
The enclosed amphitheatre restricts airflow so that even moderate regional winds barely penetrate, trapping humid air against damp rock surfaces.
Humidity has averaged 81% over the past week and today sits around 64–86%, inhibiting evaporative drying on the non-porous but smooth slate.
Quarried slate at Hodge Close is polished and smooth, losing grip dramatically with even a thin moisture film — a serious safety hazard on vertical and overhanging terrain.
Today is mostly dry with only trace precipitation (0.5mm total), offering some surface drying through the afternoon, but this follows only 2–3 marginal dry days and is insufficient for full recovery.
Over 70mm of rain is forecast from June 16–20, ensuring conditions will deteriorate further before any meaningful drying can occur.
Recommendations
3
- Do not commit to climbing on the quarry walls today — the polished slate is very likely greasy, particularly on north-facing sections and anywhere below the rim seepage lines.
- If you visit, consider deep water soloing as an alternative where a slip is consequence-managed, but be aware of cold water temperatures.
- Wait for a sustained dry spell of at least 3–4 days with lower humidity before attempting trad or bouldering here; the forecast suggests this is unlikely before late June at the earliest.
Do Not Climb
90%
3 days ago
Hodge Close Quarry is currently unsafe for climbing due to an extremely wet recent period — over 220mm in 28 days with heavy rain as recently as June 11 (25.4mm) and only one full dry day since. The sheltered quarry bowl will be saturated with residual seepage, and polished slate surfaces will be dangerously greasy.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning even after rain stops the walls can remain damp and greasy far longer than open crags nearby.
- Seepage from the quarry rim is fed by the surrounding saturated ground and will persist for days after the last significant rain — the 25.4mm on June 11 followed by only trace amounts means active seepage lines are very likely today.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close lose friction dramatically with even a film of moisture, making slab and less-than-vertical routes particularly treacherous.
- The deep pool at the base means a slip on greasy rock can result in an uncontrolled fall into cold water — water temperature in early June will still be very cold.
Warnings
3
- Polished slate in the quarry will be extremely greasy — falls on low-angle terrain are a serious risk even where the rock appears superficially dry.
- Active seepage from the quarry rim is highly likely given the saturated ground; routes beneath the lip may have running water.
- The forecast shows no meaningful dry window in the next 5 days — conditions are likely to deteriorate further before they improve.
Reasoning
With 76mm in the last 7 days, 25.4mm as recently as June 11, and only one truly dry day (today), the quarry walls will be extensively damp with active seepage from the saturated rim and surrounding ground.
Despite today being dry with moderate NW wind, the sheltered quarry bowl receives minimal air circulation and only partial sun on certain aspects, meaning one dry day is wholly insufficient to clear moisture from this venue after such prolonged heavy rainfall.
Slate is non-porous so there is no structural weakening concern, but the risk is entirely about surface friction — polished quarried slate becomes extremely slippery with any residual moisture film.
Early June should offer reasonable drying potential, but the persistent wet spell with well-above-average rainfall has kept temperatures cool (averaging only 11.2°C over the past week) and humidity high (83%), severely limiting evaporation.
Contributing Factors
7
Over 220mm in 28 days and 76mm in the last 7 days alone, with significant falls on June 8 (31.5mm), June 9 (12.1mm), and June 11 (25.4mm), have thoroughly saturated the quarry and surrounding ground.
Only one full dry day has elapsed since the last measurable rain, which is far too little for a sheltered quarry bowl to shed seepage and surface moisture.
The enclosed amphitheatre traps humidity and blocks wind, dramatically slowing evaporation compared to exposed crags at similar altitude.
Average humidity of 83% over the past week inhibits evaporation and may cause condensation on cold rock surfaces, especially on shaded north-facing walls.
Averaging only 11.2°C over the past week with maxima barely reaching mid-teens limits evaporative drying potential.
Quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are polished and lose friction dramatically even with a thin film of moisture, creating a serious slip hazard.
Rain is forecast on each of the next four days (totalling ~45mm), with no sustained dry window to allow proper drying.
Recommendations
3
- Avoid climbing at Hodge Close until a sustained dry spell of at least 3–4 days with good temperatures and lower humidity allows the quarry to dry out properly.
- If visiting the area, consider more exposed and wind-swept crags with better drainage that will dry faster than this sheltered quarry bowl.
- Deep water soloing remains possible in theory but water temperature will be very cold — a wetsuit is essential and greasy rock above the pool still poses a serious hazard.
Do Not Climb
92%
4 days ago
Hodge Close Quarry is currently saturated after an exceptionally wet period — over 220mm in the last 28 days including 58mm just nine days ago and repeated heavy downpours since. The sheltered quarry bowl will be thoroughly damp with active seepage from the rim, making the polished slate surfaces dangerously greasy.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed amphitheatre shape traps humid air and prevents effective air circulation, meaning drying times are significantly longer than at open crags even though the rock is non-porous.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim will be actively flowing after this sustained wet spell and can persist for many days, weeping across routes that may otherwise appear dry.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close lose virtually all friction when damp — even residual film moisture from humidity can make slabs and traverses treacherous.
- The deep pool at the base creates a microclimate that elevates humidity within the quarry bowl, further inhibiting surface drying even on nominally dry days.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate is extremely slippery when damp — falls are highly likely on any route with slab or friction-dependent moves.
- Active seepage from the quarry rim will be crossing routes unpredictably and may persist for several days even after rain stops.
- The quarry bowl's trapped humidity means surfaces may feel greasy even if they appear visually dry — test friction carefully before committing.
Reasoning
The rock surfaces will be wet or film-damp throughout: 90.9mm fell in the last 7 days alone, today saw further light rain, and there have been zero consecutive dry days — the quarry has had no meaningful drying window.
Despite moderate westerly winds (19–33 km/h), the sheltered quarry bowl receives minimal airflow internally, and with average humidity at 85% over the past week the evaporative potential is extremely low.
Slate is non-porous so structural weakening is not a concern, but the persistent moisture makes surface friction negligible on the polished quarried faces.
Early June should offer reasonable drying conditions, but this has been an unusually prolonged wet spell with temperatures well below seasonal norms (averaging just 11°C), severely limiting drying capacity.
Contributing Factors
6
Over 220mm in 28 days and 91mm in the last 7 days represents a sustained deluge leaving the quarry thoroughly soaked with active drainage and seepage.
There has been no dry window at all — every recent day has seen some precipitation, preventing any meaningful surface drying.
The enclosed amphitheatre traps moisture and humidity, negating the moderate winds blowing above the rim.
Average humidity of 85% over the past week drastically reduces evaporation rates even on the few lighter-rain days.
Averaging just 11°C over the past week — well below June norms — further slows any drying process.
After this volume of rain, water percolating through soil and fractures above the quarry rim will produce seepage streams across walls for days.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Hodge Close today or in the immediate future — conditions are thoroughly wet and the polished slate will be dangerously greasy.
- Wait for at least 3–4 consecutive fully dry days with low humidity before considering a visit, and even then inspect seepage lines carefully on arrival.
- If visiting the area, consider non-porous open-aspect crags with better wind exposure that will dry more quickly than this sheltered quarry.
Do Not Climb
92%
5 days ago
Hodge Close Quarry is currently saturated after nearly 93mm of rain in the past 7 days and over 220mm in the past month, with no consecutive dry days recorded. The sheltered quarry bowl will be holding significant surface moisture, seepage from the rim will be actively running, and the polished slate surfaces will be dangerously greasy.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning even after rain stops the walls can remain damp for days longer than open crags nearby.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim fed by the exceptionally wet recent period will be actively flowing and may persist for several days even after rain ceases.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close lose virtually all friction when damp — even a thin film of moisture makes them treacherous, particularly on the lower-angle lines.
- The south-facing upper walls may begin to dry first on sunny days, but north-facing sections and the lower amphitheatre will remain wet longest.
Warnings
3
- Polished slate in the quarry will be extremely slippery — even surfaces that appear dry may have a thin moisture film sufficient to cause a dangerous fall.
- Active seepage from the quarry rim is highly likely given ground saturation; water may be running across routes that are normally dry.
- The deep pool and cold water temperatures make any uncontrolled fall especially dangerous in current conditions.
Reasoning
With 92.8mm in the last 7 days, 1.5mm today, zero consecutive dry days, and 86% average humidity, the quarry surfaces will be comprehensively wet with active seepage and standing moisture throughout.
Despite slate being non-porous, the sheltered quarry bowl with poor air circulation and persistent high humidity (82–96% recent days) means surface drying is severely impeded — even moderate winds cannot penetrate the enclosed amphitheatre effectively.
Slate does not suffer structural weakening when wet, so hold breakage from moisture is not a concern; however, the prolonged saturation of surrounding ground feeds ongoing rim seepage onto route lines.
Early June in the Lake District is seeing an exceptionally wet spell with cool temperatures averaging only 11.3°C, which significantly slows evaporation compared to typical summer conditions.
Contributing Factors
7
Nearly 93mm in the past week and 220mm over 28 days means the quarry and surrounding ground are thoroughly saturated.
There has been no meaningful dry spell to allow surface drying, with rain recorded on almost every recent day.
The enclosed amphitheatre has very poor natural ventilation, preventing the moderate winds from reaching and drying the rock surfaces.
Average humidity of 86% over the past week and 82% today drastically slows evaporation from slate surfaces.
Average temperatures of only 11.3°C over the past week provide little evaporative energy compared to warmer summer conditions.
The saturated ground above the quarry will feed persistent seepage lines down the walls for days after rain ceases.
The quarried, polished slate surfaces become extremely greasy with even a thin moisture film, creating serious slip hazard.
Recommendations
3
- Do not attempt trad climbing or bouldering at Hodge Close until there have been at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with lower humidity and some warmth.
- If visiting the area, consider checking more open and exposed crags with better ventilation that may dry faster than this sheltered quarry.
- Monitor conditions closely; the earliest realistic window may be June 14–15 if the dry forecast holds, but even then a careful on-site assessment would be essential.
Do Not Climb
95%
6 days ago
Hodge Close is currently saturated after an exceptionally wet period — 87mm in the last 7 days and 214mm over the past 28 days — with heavy rain falling throughout today. The sheltered quarry bowl will be streaming with water and seepage, and the polished slate surfaces will be dangerously greasy.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning even after rain stops it takes significantly longer to dry than open crags — expect 2+ full dry days minimum after heavy rain.
- Seepage from the quarry rim feeds water down the walls for days after sustained rain; the 214mm accumulated over the past month will keep seepage lines active well into any upcoming dry spell.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are among the greasiest rock surfaces in the Lakes when damp — even residual humidity can make friction-dependent moves treacherous.
- The deep pool at the base means DWS remains an option in theory, but cold water temperatures (~10–12°C in early June) and greasy rock make even DWS inadvisable in current conditions.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate at Hodge Close becomes extremely slippery when wet — falls on lower-angle terrain are a real risk even for experienced climbers.
- Seepage from the quarry rim after prolonged rain can persist for 3–5 days and may not be visible from below until you are on the route.
- The deep pool at the base is very cold in early June; accidental immersion from a slip on greasy rock carries a hypothermia risk.
Reasoning
The rock is thoroughly wet: 20.3mm of rain is falling today on top of 87mm in the past week and 214mm in the past month, with humidity at 94–99% throughout the day.
The sheltered quarry bowl receives minimal wind penetration despite moderate winds outside, and with no consecutive dry days recorded and persistent high humidity (85% average over 7 days), effective drying has not begun.
Slate is non-porous so structural damage from moisture is not a concern, but the extreme greasiness of polished quarried slate when wet poses a serious slip and fall hazard.
Early June should offer reasonable drying potential, but this has been an unusually wet spell; longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures from mid-June onward will aid drying if rain relents.
Contributing Factors
6
214mm over 28 days including 87mm in the last 7 days and 20mm today leaves the quarry completely saturated.
Humidity has averaged 85% over the past week and is 94–99% today, preventing any surface drying between showers.
The enclosed amphitheatre prevents wind-assisted drying, so surface moisture and humidity linger far longer than at open crags.
Prolonged heavy rainfall will feed seepage lines from the quarry rim for several days after rain ceases, keeping wall sections wet.
Heavy showers are forecast throughout today with rain every hour from 07:00 to 21:00, totalling over 20mm.
Two consecutive dry days are forecast for June 14–15 with warmer temperatures (up to 21°C) and lower humidity, which should begin meaningful drying.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb today or tomorrow — the quarry will be streaming wet and the slate will be extremely greasy.
- The earliest reasonable window to assess conditions in person is June 15, after two dry days; prioritise south-facing walls which receive afternoon sun.
- If visiting mid-week, check for rim seepage before committing — even if the rock face feels dry, water running from above can make routes impassable.
Do Not Climb
92%
8 days ago
Hodge Close is currently soaked after an exceptionally wet period — over 140mm in the last 7 days alone, including major downpours on June 1st (36mm), 3rd (25mm), 4th (58mm), and 8th (32mm), with further rain today. The sheltered quarry bowl will be dripping with seepage and the polished slate surfaces will be dangerously greasy.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has minimal air circulation, meaning it will take significantly longer to dry than open crags even after rain stops.
- Seepage from the quarry rim after heavy rain can persist for many days — after 140mm in the last week, expect persistent dripping across multiple walls for at least 3–5 dry days.
- The polished, quarried slate surfaces become treacherously slippery even with light dampness; friction loss on this rock is more severe than on natural slate faces.
- North-facing walls in the quarry bowl receive no direct sun and will remain damp longest — south-facing sections may dry first but rim seepage can affect any aspect.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate is extremely dangerous when wet — falls due to friction loss are a serious risk even on moderate-grade routes.
- Rim seepage after this volume of rain may persist for 4–5+ dry days; do not assume the quarry is dry because the approach is.
- The forecast shows further significant rain on June 11th (15.5mm) which will reset drying — no sustained dry window is expected until June 13th at the earliest.
Reasoning
The rock surfaces are thoroughly wet after 140mm of rain in the past 7 days with rain again today, and the sheltered quarry bowl will have standing water, active seepage lines, and saturated surroundings feeding ongoing moisture onto the walls.
Despite being non-porous, the sheltered quarry position with poor air circulation means surface drying is extremely slow — the ground and quarry rim are saturated and will feed seepage onto the walls for days even once rain stops.
Slate is non-porous so there is no structural weakening concern, but the safety risk from near-zero friction on wet polished quarried slate is severe.
Early June should offer reasonable drying conditions temperature-wise, but the current prolonged wet spell and cool temperatures (averaging 11.5°C over the past week) are significantly impeding any drying.
Contributing Factors
8
Over 140mm in the last 7 days including three individual days exceeding 25mm, thoroughly saturating the quarry environment.
A further 8mm today with showers continuing through the afternoon prevents any drying progress.
The enclosed amphitheatre shape severely limits air circulation and sunlight penetration, dramatically slowing surface drying.
Average humidity of 86% over the past week and 81% today impedes evaporation from rock surfaces.
Quarried slate surfaces lose grip dramatically when damp, making even light residual moisture a serious slip hazard.
Saturated ground above the quarry rim will feed seepage lines onto the walls for days after the last rain.
Winds of 20–30 km/h are forecast but will have limited effect inside the sheltered quarry bowl.
Further rain is forecast on June 10th (4.5mm) and June 11th (15.5mm), resetting any drying progress.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Hodge Close today or in the coming days — the quarry is thoroughly wet and conditions are dangerous on polished slate.
- Wait for at least 3 consecutive dry days after the last rain before considering a visit, and ideally longer given the saturated state of the quarry surroundings.
- If visiting the area, consider alternative non-porous venues with better exposure and air circulation that will dry faster, though much of the Lake District will be affected by this prolonged wet spell.
Do Not Climb
92%
9 days ago
Hodge Close has received nearly 130mm of rain in the past 7 days, including 58mm on June 4th and 26mm today, with heavy rain continuing through the early morning hours. The sheltered quarry bowl will be saturated, with active seepage from the rim and extremely greasy polished slate surfaces — conditions are clearly unsuitable for climbing.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning it will take significantly longer to dry than open crags even after rain stops.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim will be running heavily after 128mm in 7 days and will persist for days even once rainfall ceases.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close become treacherously greasy with even light moisture — after prolonged saturation the friction loss is extreme.
- The south-facing upper walls may begin to dry first during any sunny breaks, but north-facing sections and the lower quarry bowl will remain wet for much longer.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate is extremely dangerous when wet — even apparently dry-looking surfaces can retain a thin film of moisture that eliminates friction without warning.
- Active seepage from the quarry rim after 128mm of recent rain creates wet streaks across routes that may not be visible from below.
- Deep water solo conditions are also poor — cold water temperatures combined with greasy rock above make entries unpredictable and dangerous.
Reasoning
The rock surfaces are thoroughly wet from 26mm of rain today (mostly overnight) on top of 128mm over the preceding week, and the sheltered quarry bowl will be dripping with active seepage from multiple rim drainage lines.
Despite non-porous slate, the sheltered quarry position with poor air circulation means surface water and seepage will persist for at least 2–3 dry days, and the forecast offers no such window with further rain expected on each of the next 5 days.
Slate is non-porous so structural damage from moisture is not a concern, but the extreme slipperiness of wet polished quarry slate poses a serious fall risk.
Early June should offer reasonable drying potential, but an exceptionally wet spell with cool temperatures (averaging only 12°C) and high humidity (86% average) has negated any seasonal advantage.
Contributing Factors
8
128.5mm in the past 7 days including a 58mm deluge on June 4th and 26mm today means the quarry is thoroughly soaked with active runoff.
Over 25mm fell in the early hours today with light showers forecast again this evening, so surfaces will not begin drying meaningfully.
The enclosed amphitheatre has poor air circulation, trapping humidity and preventing wind-assisted drying even when surrounding areas begin to dry.
Average humidity of 86% over the past week and 78% forecast tomorrow severely limits evaporative drying of surface moisture.
After 170mm in 28 days, groundwater seepage from the quarry rim will continue flowing for several days after rain stops.
The quarried and polished slate surfaces lose friction dramatically when wet, creating a serious slip hazard on all angles.
Rain is forecast on every day through June 13th, preventing any sustained drying period.
Maximum temperatures of only 11–13°C over the coming days provide minimal evaporative drying capacity.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Hodge Close until at least 2–3 consecutive fully dry days with lower humidity allow the quarry bowl and seepage lines to dry out.
- Monitor conditions closely — the forecast shows no adequate drying window before at least June 14th, and even then the quarry's sheltered nature will require extra time.
- If visiting the area, consider alternative non-porous crags with better exposure and air circulation that will dry more quickly after this prolonged wet spell.
Do Not Climb
95%
10 days ago
Hodge Close is thoroughly saturated after 150mm of rain in the past week, with 26mm falling today and heavy rain forecast to continue. The sheltered quarry bowl will be streaming with water, and polished slate surfaces will be extremely greasy and dangerous.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning it will take significantly longer than surrounding open crags to dry out after this prolonged wet spell.
- Seepage from the quarry rim will be active and persistent — after 150mm in a week, rim drainage will likely continue for several days even if rain stops.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces lose nearly all friction when wet; even a thin film of moisture makes them treacherously slippery, and conditions this saturated mean every surface will be affected.
- Deep water soloing remains an option but water temperature will be cold and surfaces above the pool will be dangerously slick for approach and exit.
Warnings
3
- Polished slate in the quarry will be lethally slippery — even approaching the quarry rim and edges is hazardous in these conditions.
- Seepage and streaming water on routes will persist for days after rain stops; do not assume a dry morning means climbable rock.
- The quarry pool level may be elevated and access paths around the rim could be muddy and treacherous.
Reasoning
The rock surfaces are currently soaking wet — 26mm fell today on top of 150mm in the past week, with 96% and 93% humidity days preceding today, saturating the entire quarry bowl.
Despite being non-porous, the sheltered quarry position with poor air circulation means surface water and seepage will persist for days; the forecast shows continued rain through at least June 12, giving no meaningful drying window.
Slate is non-porous and not structurally weakened by water, so hold breakage from moisture is not a concern.
Early June should offer reasonable drying potential, but this unusually prolonged and heavy wet spell combined with below-average temperatures (12–13°C) and very high humidity severely limits any evaporative drying.
Contributing Factors
7
150mm in the past 7 days including a 58mm deluge on June 4 and 26mm today means every surface in the quarry is streaming wet.
A further 73mm is forecast over the next 5 days with no consecutive dry days, preventing any meaningful drying.
Average humidity of 89% over the past week and 90% today means even surfaces not directly rained on cannot dry through evaporation.
The enclosed amphitheatre traps humid air and blocks wind, dramatically slowing surface drying compared to exposed crags.
After this volume of rain, water percolating through soil and cracks above the quarry rim will feed seepage lines onto routes for days.
Quarried slate surfaces are polished and become extremely slippery with any moisture, making climbing genuinely dangerous.
Winds of 20–28 km/h are present but will not penetrate the sheltered quarry bowl effectively enough to aid drying.
Recommendations
3
- Do not attempt to climb at Hodge Close until at least 3–4 consecutive dry days with lower humidity have occurred — the quarry needs substantial time to shed this level of saturation.
- If visiting the area, consider that even open-aspect Lake District crags will need time to dry; check conditions in person before committing.
- Monitor the forecast beyond June 12 — the first dry spell after this prolonged wet period will be the earliest realistic opportunity for climbable conditions.
Do Not Climb
95%
11 days ago
Hodge Close is thoroughly saturated after 129mm of rain in the last 7 days, with heavy downpours on June 1st (36mm), 3rd (25mm), and 4th (58mm), plus further rain today. The sheltered quarry bowl will be dripping wet with active seepage from the rim, and the polished slate surfaces will be dangerously greasy. The forecast shows continued rain for the next 4–5 days with no meaningful drying window.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning even after rain stops it takes significantly longer to dry than open crags — expect prolonged dampness after this extended wet spell.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim will be actively running after 129mm in a week and will persist for many days even once rain ceases, keeping large sections of wall wet.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces lose virtually all friction when damp — even residual moisture or high humidity condensation can make holds treacherously greasy.
- The deep pool at the base makes DWS theoretically possible but water temperature will be very cold and wet rock above makes any climbing extremely hazardous.
Warnings
3
- Polished slate in the quarry is lethally slippery when wet — even residual dampness invisible to the eye can cause sudden, uncontrollable falls.
- Active seepage from the quarry rim may drip onto routes even where the rock face itself appears dry — check above your line before committing.
- The deep pool at the base adds additional risk if a fall occurs on wet rock above it, particularly given cold water temperatures in early June.
Reasoning
The rock surfaces are currently wet from today's rain (3.8mm) on top of an extraordinary 129mm over the past week, with humidity at 90% ensuring no evaporative drying is occurring.
Despite being non-porous, the sheltered quarry bowl with poor air circulation and persistent 85–96% humidity means surface water and seepage have had essentially zero opportunity to dry since the heavy rains began on June 1st.
Slate is non-porous so structural weakening is not a concern, but the extreme slipperiness of polished quarried slate when wet poses a severe fall risk.
Early June should be approaching peak season but this prolonged wet spell with below-average temperatures (12.4°C average) and very high humidity is preventing any useful drying.
Contributing Factors
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129mm in 7 days including a 58mm deluge on June 4th has thoroughly soaked the quarry environment and activated all seepage lines.
A further 3.8mm today with 90% humidity means surfaces are currently wet with no drying underway.
Humidity has averaged 89% over the past week, preventing evaporative drying even during brief dry intervals.
The enclosed amphitheatre shape blocks wind and traps humid air, dramatically slowing surface drying compared to open crags.
The next 5 days forecast a further 41mm of rain with no dry window long enough to allow meaningful drying.
Quarried slate surfaces are extremely greasy when damp, making any climbing on them a serious slip hazard.
After this volume of rain, seepage from the quarry rim will continue running for days even once precipitation stops.
Recommendations
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- Do not attempt to climb at Hodge Close until there has been a sustained dry spell of at least 3–4 days with lower humidity and some breeze to clear the quarry bowl.
- Monitor conditions after June 12th when the forecast shows a potential dry day — but even then, seepage from the rim may persist and a visual inspection will be essential.
- If visiting the area, consider well-drained, exposed, non-porous crags with better wind exposure as alternatives, though conditions are poor across the region.
Climbing Outlook