Condition Analysis
AI-powered assessment using site data and 14-day weather history
Hodge Close has received significant rainfall over recent weeks (266mm in 28 days) with 7.5mm falling yesterday and light precipitation overnight into today; the sheltered quarry bowl will still be damp despite the non-porous slate. With only a single marginal dry day and more heavy rain forecast from tomorrow, conditions are not suitable for climbing on the polished slate surfaces.
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, surfaces remain greasy far longer than at open crags.
- Seepage from the quarry rim following the extremely wet recent period (76.8mm on March 24, plus repeated heavy spells since) will likely persist for days, creating wet streaks across routes.
- South-facing walls may have partially dried during yesterday's afternoon clearing (humidity dropped to ~68%), but north-facing walls and any shaded lower sections will remain damp.
- The deep pool at the quarry base further elevates local humidity within the bowl, compounding the slow-drying problem after prolonged wet weather.
Warnings
2
- Polished quarried slate is extremely dangerous when damp — even a thin film of moisture can cause sudden, unexpected slips on holds that feel dry to the touch.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim may persist for several days after this prolonged wet period, creating wet patches on otherwise dry-looking walls.
Reasoning
With 7.5mm of rain yesterday, light drizzle overnight, and only a few hours of partial drying today, the polished quarried slate surfaces will still carry significant surface moisture — particularly on north-facing and shaded walls.
The sheltered quarry bowl with light southerly winds (17.6 km/h) provides minimal air circulation for evaporation; combined with 77% humidity today, effective drying is very limited despite the non-porous rock type.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural weakening when wet, so hold breakage from moisture is not a concern — the risk is entirely about friction and safety on greasy polished surfaces.
Early April in the Lake District is still within the spring transition with unreliable weather; temperatures averaging under 8°C over the past week and persistent high humidity slow drying considerably at 220m altitude.
Contributing Factors
8
266mm over 28 days with repeated heavy spells means the quarry environment is saturated, with active seepage from the rim likely persisting.
7.5mm fell on April 12 with further light precipitation overnight into today, leaving surfaces freshly wet with minimal drying time.
The enclosed amphitheatre traps humid air and prevents wind-assisted evaporation, dramatically slowing surface drying even on non-porous slate.
Today's humidity at 77% and the quarry pool's contribution to local moisture will inhibit evaporation from rock surfaces throughout the day.
Slate does not absorb water or weaken structurally when wet, so once surface moisture evaporates the rock is immediately climbable.
The smooth, quarried slate faces become treacherously greasy with even light dampness, making marginal conditions far more dangerous than at crags with natural texture.
Light 17.6 km/h southerly winds will provide some airflow to south-facing upper walls but will barely penetrate the sheltered quarry bowl.
14.7mm forecast for April 14 followed by 25mm on April 15 will re-soak the quarry before any meaningful drying can occur today.
Recommendations
3
- Wait for an extended dry spell of at least 2–3 consecutive dry days before visiting, as the sheltered quarry bowl needs significantly more drying time than open crags.
- If visiting for DWS only, conditions are less friction-critical but cold water temperatures in April demand appropriate preparation and a safety plan.
- Monitor the forecast closely — conditions are unlikely to improve until after April 17 at the earliest, and even then only if the predicted dry window materialises.
Previous Analyses
Do Not Climb
90%
2 days ago
Hodge Close is currently wet and unsuitable for climbing. Today has seen 5.2mm of rain on top of a very wet recent period (nearly 300mm in 28 days), and the sheltered quarry bowl will be holding significant surface moisture with active seepage from the rim. 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 amphitheatre shape traps humidity and severely limits air circulation, meaning even after rain stops the quarry interior can remain damp for much longer than open crags in the area.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim are almost certainly active given the sustained heavy rainfall over the past month — these can persist for days even after dry spells and will be running freely now.
- The quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are notably polished and smooth compared to natural slate, losing virtually all friction when even lightly damp — this makes conditions more critical here than at rougher venues.
- The deep pool at the base creates a localised humid microclimate that further slows drying of the lower walls, and cold water temperatures in April make any fall into the pool a serious hypothermia risk.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate becomes treacherously greasy with even light moisture — a slip could result in a serious fall into the deep quarry pool.
- Seepage from the quarry rim will be active and may drip onto belayers and route lines; check for wet streaks before committing to any route.
- Water temperature in the quarry pool is dangerously cold in April — an unplanned fall into the water poses a real hypothermia risk.
Reasoning
The rock is currently wet from today's 5.2mm of rain, with no preceding dry spell — the last truly dry day was April 7, and the quarry has received repeated soakings throughout late March and early April.
The sheltered quarry bowl with poor air circulation will dry extremely slowly despite moderate winds at altitude; even the brief dry spell on April 6–8 was insufficient to fully dry the quarry before rain returned on the 9th.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural damage when wet, so rock conservation is not the concern here — the risk is entirely about dangerously low friction on polished quarried surfaces.
Early April in the Lake District is a notoriously wet period, and the 293.5mm over 28 days reflects typical spring conditions; temperatures around 7–9°C and high humidity slow evaporation significantly.
Contributing Factors
7
5.2mm today following 16mm yesterday and 8.7mm on April 9th means the rock is actively wet with no meaningful drying window.
Nearly 300mm in 28 days has saturated the ground above the quarry, ensuring persistent seepage over the rim onto climbing surfaces.
The enclosed amphitheatre traps humid air and blocks wind, dramatically slowing surface drying even though slate itself is non-porous.
Quarried and polished slate loses friction dramatically when damp — even residual surface moisture makes moves on slabs and walls treacherous.
With saturated ground above the quarry after weeks of heavy rain, seepage lines from the rim will be running and dripping onto routes for days.
Average temperatures around 7–9°C combined with 80% humidity provide minimal evaporative drying potential.
Winds of 25–30 km/h are present regionally but the sheltered quarry bowl receives very little benefit from this airflow.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Hodge Close today — the rock is wet and the polished slate will be extremely slippery.
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with low humidity before visiting, and even then check seepage lines on arrival.
- If you're in the area and keen to climb, consider an exposed, south-facing venue with better wind exposure that will have dried faster than this sheltered quarry.
Do Not Climb
92%
3 days ago
Hodge Close is currently receiving rain today (14.4mm) after an extremely wet period — nearly 290mm in the last 28 days with no meaningful dry spell. The sheltered quarry bowl will be thoroughly wet, with polished slate surfaces dangerously greasy and rim seepage likely to persist for days.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed amphitheatre shape traps humidity and severely restricts air circulation, meaning even after rain stops the quarry interior remains damp far longer than open crags nearby.
- Seepage from the quarry rim is almost certainly active given the massive cumulative rainfall (288mm in 28 days) saturating the ground above — these seepage lines can persist 3–5 days after rain ceases.
- The polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are notably more slippery than natural slate; even a thin film of moisture renders friction-dependent moves extremely dangerous.
- North-facing walls in the quarry bowl receive minimal direct sunlight in early April and will be the last to dry — avoid these entirely until a prolonged dry spell occurs.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate is extremely greasy when wet — falls from friction loss are a serious risk even on lower-grade routes.
- Rim seepage lines may be active and unpredictable given the saturated ground above the quarry; water can appear on routes that are normally dry.
- The deep pool at the quarry base is very cold in April — any fall involving the water carries a hypothermia risk.
Reasoning
The rock is currently wet from today's 14.4mm of rain, compounding a pattern of near-continuous precipitation over the past two weeks with only brief dry interludes on April 6–8.
Despite moderate winds today (33 km/h from the south), Hodge Close's sheltered quarry bowl negates most wind-driven drying, and with zero consecutive dry days and high recent saturation, meaningful surface drying has not begun.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural weakening when wet, so hold breakage from moisture is not a concern — the risk is entirely friction-related and from potential rim-seepage loosening surface debris.
Early April in the Lake District at 220m altitude means short solar exposure windows, cool temperatures averaging 7°C, and the ground above the quarry rim is fully saturated from winter and spring rain, feeding persistent seepage.
Contributing Factors
7
14.4mm of precipitation today means the quarry walls are currently wet with active runoff.
288mm over the past 28 days has thoroughly saturated the ground above the quarry, ensuring persistent rim seepage.
There has been no meaningful dry period to allow any drying — the last notable dry spell was April 6–8, immediately followed by more rain.
The enclosed amphitheatre traps humidity and blocks wind, severely slowing surface evaporation even when external conditions improve.
Quarried slate surfaces become treacherously greasy with even light moisture, making climbing extremely dangerous.
Winds of 33 km/h from the south exist outside but penetrate poorly into the sheltered quarry bowl.
Average temperatures around 7°C provide limited evaporative energy, slowing any drying process.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Hodge Close today — the quarry is actively wet and conditions are dangerous on polished slate.
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive fully dry days with low humidity before considering a visit, given the saturated ground feeding rim seepage.
- If visiting the area, consider an exposed, quick-drying crag with natural (non-quarried) rock on a south-facing aspect instead.
Do Not Climb
85%
4 days ago
Hodge Close Quarry is currently unsuitable for climbing. Heavy rainfall over recent weeks (nearly 300mm in 28 days) combined with rain yesterday (8.7mm on April 9th) and trace precipitation today means the sheltered quarry bowl will be thoroughly damp, with 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 humidity and drastically reduces air circulation, meaning even after dry spells the quarry interior can remain damp long after surrounding open crags have dried.
- Seepage from the quarry rim is likely to be very active given the extreme cumulative rainfall (nearly 300mm in 28 days), and these seepage lines can persist for days after the last rain.
- Quarried and polished slate surfaces at Hodge Close lose friction dramatically with even light moisture — far more so than natural rough slate — making even easy routes treacherous.
- The deep pool at the base raises local humidity within the quarry bowl, contributing to condensation on cold rock surfaces especially during cool spring mornings.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate at Hodge Close becomes treacherously slippery when damp — even thin surface moisture films are extremely dangerous.
- Seepage from the quarry rim following the exceptionally wet recent period may persist for several days even without further rain.
- Deep water solo conditions carry additional risk in cold spring water temperatures — hypothermia is a real danger if an unplanned fall occurs.
Reasoning
With 8.7mm of rain yesterday, 0.4mm today, and nearly 300mm over the past 28 days, the rock surfaces and quarry environment are thoroughly saturated with surface moisture and active seepage.
Despite moderate SW winds today (26 km/h), the sheltered quarry bowl sees minimal air circulation internally, and with zero consecutive dry days the polished slate has had no meaningful drying opportunity.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural damage when wet, but the concern here is entirely about dangerously reduced friction on greasy polished surfaces.
Early April in the Lake District at 220m is still firmly in the wet season, with low temperatures (averaging 7.3°C) slowing evaporation and frequent Atlantic weather systems delivering persistent rain.
Contributing Factors
7
Nearly 300mm of rain in 28 days has kept the quarry environment perpetually wet, with active seepage lines from the rim likely to persist for several more days.
8.7mm fell on April 9th and 0.4mm today, meaning zero consecutive fully dry days and fresh moisture on all surfaces.
The enclosed amphitheatre severely limits air circulation, meaning the moderate winds forecast today (26 km/h) will have minimal drying effect within the quarry bowl.
Quarried slate at Hodge Close is smoother than natural rock faces and becomes extremely greasy with even trace moisture, creating serious slip hazards.
Three dry days with warm temperatures (up to 16.3°C) provided some drying, but this was completely negated by 8.7mm of rain on April 9th.
Average temperatures of just 7.3°C over the past week provide limited evaporative drying potential, especially in the shaded quarry bowl.
Today's humidity of 70% is the lowest in several days and moderate winds may begin surface drying on exposed south-facing sections.
Recommendations
3
- Do not attempt climbing at Hodge Close today — the quarry will be wet and greasy with active seepage from the rim.
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with low humidity before visiting; even then, test friction carefully on south-facing walls first.
- If visiting the area, consider an exposed, south-facing volcanic crag (e.g. Chapel Head Scar or similar open venue) which will dry significantly faster than this enclosed quarry.
Do Not Climb
85%
5 days ago
Hodge Close has received 3.7mm of rain today following a very wet period (332mm in 28 days), and the sheltered quarry bowl will be wet and greasy. With polished slate surfaces, high humidity, and active seepage from the rim likely, conditions are unsuitable for climbing today.
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 the two dry days (April 6–8), the 3.7mm today will have re-wetted surfaces that had barely begun to dry.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim typically persist for days after heavy rain — the 76.8mm on March 24 and repeated heavy falls since will keep seepage active well into any dry spell.
- North-facing walls in the quarry bowl receive minimal direct sun in early April and will retain surface moisture far longer than the south-facing sections.
- The deep pool at the quarry base raises local humidity within the bowl, compounding the already high ambient humidity (86% today) and slowing evaporation from rock surfaces.
Warnings
3
- Polished slate in Hodge Close becomes dangerously slippery with even a thin film of moisture — do not be deceived by surfaces that appear dry.
- Seepage from the quarry rim can drip onto routes unexpectedly and may persist for several days after heavy rain.
- The deep quarry pool is extremely cold in early April; unplanned falls into the water carry a serious hypothermia risk.
Reasoning
Today's 3.7mm of rain on top of only two preceding dry days means all surfaces in the quarry will be wet or damp, with condensation and seepage adding to the problem.
The sheltered quarry bowl with poor air circulation severely limits drying; the brief dry window of April 6–8 was insufficient to clear residual moisture from the preceding extremely wet period, and today's rain has reset the clock.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural weakening when wet, so hold breakage from moisture is not a concern.
Early April in the Lake District brings short days, low sun angles, and cool temperatures (avg 7.6°C last week), all of which hamper drying in a sheltered north-aspect quarry at 220m.
Contributing Factors
7
3.7mm of precipitation today has re-wetted surfaces that had only two days of drying after a prolonged wet spell.
332mm over 28 days with repeated heavy falls ensures persistent seepage from the quarry rim and saturated ground above.
The enclosed amphitheatre shape traps humidity and prevents wind from reaching most wall surfaces, dramatically slowing drying.
86% humidity today with overnight readings above 90% means condensation is likely on cold slate surfaces, especially north-facing.
Quarried slate surfaces become extremely greasy with even a film of moisture, making any residual dampness a serious safety hazard.
Three consecutive dry days with warm temperatures (up to 16.3°C) would have begun drying south-facing surfaces, but this was insufficient for full drying.
Slate does not absorb water so will not suffer structural damage, and surface drying can begin as soon as conditions permit.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Hodge Close today — the rock will be wet and greasy from today's rain and residual seepage.
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with low humidity before visiting; the quarry bowl needs extended dry weather to clear seepage.
- If visiting the area, consider checking conditions at more exposed, wind-swept crags with better drainage that may dry faster.
Marginal — Assess Conditions
55%
6 days ago
After two full dry days (6th–7th April) with warm temperatures and low humidity, south- and west-facing walls may have dried sufficiently, but the sheltered quarry bowl, persistent seepage from the rim, and 0.2mm of light precipitation today mean conditions are uncertain. Climbers should visually inspect surfaces — particularly north-facing walls and seepage zones — before committing.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Hodge Close's enclosed amphitheatre traps humidity and has poor air circulation, meaning surface moisture lingers much longer than at open crags even though the slate is non-porous.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim can persist for several days after heavy rain — the 76.8mm deluge on March 24th and repeated wet spells since mean rim drainage may still be active in places.
- The polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close become treacherously greasy with even light dampness, and the quarry bowl can feel clammy when surrounding open crags are fully dry.
- South-facing upper walls will have benefited most from the warm sunshine on the 7th (16.3°C, humidity down to 43%), but shaded north-facing walls and lower sections near the pool will dry last.
Warnings
2
- Polished quarried slate becomes extremely slippery with even light dampness — a surface that looks dry may still be greasy enough to cause a fall.
- Seepage from the quarry rim after 340mm of rain in the past month may persist on certain routes regardless of recent dry weather.
Reasoning
The rock received 6.5mm on April 5th, then had two dry days with warm temperatures (up to 16.3°C) and low humidity (43–56%), but today shows 0.2mm of light precipitation and humidity rising to 79%, so surfaces may have a thin film of moisture in places.
Two days of drying with favourable temperatures is helpful for non-porous slate, but the sheltered quarry position with light winds (10–22 km/h) limits air circulation, and seepage from the saturated rim after 340mm in 28 days will slow drying considerably.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural weakening when wet, so there is no hold-breakage risk from moisture — the concern is purely friction and safety.
Early April in the Lake District at 220m altitude means cool overnight temperatures (down to -0.1°C on the 6th), shorter effective drying windows, and the quarry bowl receives limited direct sun at this time of year.
Contributing Factors
6
April 6th and 7th were both dry with warm daytime temperatures up to 16.3°C and low humidity (43–56%), providing a reasonable drying window for non-porous slate surfaces.
The enclosed amphitheatre has poor air circulation and traps humidity, significantly slowing surface drying compared to exposed crags despite the favourable weather.
340mm in the past 28 days and repeated wet spells mean the quarry rim and surrounding ground are saturated, fuelling persistent seepage lines down the walls.
0.2mm of precipitation today with humidity rising to 79% may re-wet or maintain dampness on polished slate surfaces that had only just begun to dry.
Daytime highs of 11–16°C over the past three days are well above the seasonal average and aid surface evaporation on sun-exposed walls.
Hodge Close's quarried slate surfaces are highly polished and lose friction dramatically with even trace moisture, making any residual dampness a serious safety concern.
Recommendations
3
- Visit and visually/physically inspect surfaces before climbing — touch-test the rock in multiple locations including shaded areas and known seepage zones.
- Focus on south- and west-facing upper walls which will have dried fastest; avoid north-facing walls and routes near seepage lines.
- Consider postponing if surfaces feel even slightly greasy — the polished slate at Hodge Close offers dangerously low friction when damp.
Do Not Climb
45%
8 days ago
Despite today being dry so far, Hodge Close has had only one consecutive dry day following 6.5mm yesterday and a relentlessly wet period (368mm in 28 days). The sheltered quarry bowl will still be holding significant surface moisture and 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 quarry amphitheatre traps humidity and has very poor air circulation, meaning surfaces dry far slower than open crags even though the rock is non-porous.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim are likely still active after the extremely wet recent period (76.8mm on March 24, then repeated heavy rain through early April), and these can persist for days.
- North-facing walls in the quarry will have had virtually no direct sun to aid drying and will be the last surfaces to become safe.
- The polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are notably more slippery when damp than natural slate faces — even a thin film of moisture dramatically reduces friction.
Warnings
3
- Polished slate at Hodge Close becomes extremely slippery with even a thin film of moisture — do not rely on surface appearance alone to judge friction.
- Seepage from the quarry rim can persist for days after heavy rain and may not be visible from below until you are on the route.
- The deep quarry pool below the walls adds objective danger if a slip occurs on greasy holds.
Reasoning
With only one dry day after 6.5mm yesterday and 55.8mm in the past week, surface moisture and seepage within the sheltered quarry bowl will be significant — the polished slate is almost certainly still damp in many areas.
Light southerly winds at 18 km/h today offer limited drying benefit given the sheltered quarry position; the single dry day with moderate temperatures (up to 11.5°C) is insufficient to clear residual moisture from this enclosed venue.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural weakening when wet, so hold breakage or rock damage is not a concern here.
Early April in the Lake District is a transition period with low sun angles limiting warmth penetration into the quarry bowl; the extremely wet late March and early April pattern is typical but leaves conditions well behind where they need to be.
Contributing Factors
7
368mm over 28 days with repeated heavy events including 76.8mm on March 24 and 24.2mm on April 3 means the quarry environment is thoroughly saturated.
A single dry day is wholly insufficient drying time for this sheltered quarry, especially with 6.5mm falling yesterday.
The enclosed amphitheatre shape severely limits air circulation, trapping humid air and slowing evaporation from rock surfaces.
Persistent seepage from the quarry rim is expected after the prolonged wet spell and will take multiple dry days to subside.
Today is forecast dry with temperatures reaching 11.5°C and humidity dropping to 76%, which will begin the drying process.
The quarried slate surfaces are highly polished and become treacherously greasy with even light residual moisture.
Tomorrow is forecast at 17.2°C with 67% humidity and no rain, which would significantly accelerate drying if it materialises.
Recommendations
3
- Wait at least until tomorrow afternoon and visually inspect surfaces carefully before committing to any routes — south-facing walls may dry first.
- Avoid north-facing walls and any routes near seepage lines for several more days; focus attention on the most exposed south-facing sections if conditions improve.
- Check the BMC RAD for any bird nesting restrictions at Hodge Close before visiting, as peregrine season is active through June.
Do Not Climb
90%
9 days ago
Hodge Close is currently wet and unsuitable for climbing. Today has seen 6.6mm of rain on top of an extremely wet recent period (371.5mm in 28 days, 63mm in the last week alone), and the sheltered quarry bowl will be saturated with standing water, active seepage, and greasy slate surfaces.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed amphitheatre shape traps humidity and prevents air circulation, meaning even the non-porous slate surfaces will retain a film of moisture far longer than open crags in the area.
- Seepage from the quarry rim is almost certainly active given the relentless rainfall over the past month — rim drainage can persist for days even after rain stops.
- North-facing walls within the quarry will be especially slow to dry given low spring sun angles and the deep bowl geometry that limits direct sunlight.
- The polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are notably greasier than natural slate when damp — even a light film of moisture makes them treacherous.
Warnings
3
- Polished slate in the quarry will be extremely greasy — falls on wet slate are sudden and hard to arrest.
- Active seepage from the quarry rim after this prolonged wet period may make approaches and belays slippery and hazardous.
- The deep quarry pool and cold water temperatures (likely around 5–7°C) make unplanned falls near the water edge a serious hypothermia risk.
Reasoning
The rock surfaces will be wet today from 6.6mm of rain, compounded by persistent moisture from an extraordinarily wet month with 371.5mm of precipitation and no meaningful dry spell.
Despite strong westerly winds (40 km/h) today, the sheltered quarry bowl negates most wind benefit, and with ongoing rain today there has been zero effective drying — the last dry spell was only 18–23 March before heavy rain resumed on the 24th.
Slate is non-porous and structurally sound when wet, so there is no rock damage concern, but the polished quarried surfaces become extremely slippery and pose a serious fall risk.
Early April in the Lake District at 220m altitude with average temperatures around 6°C provides minimal evaporative drying potential, and the season has been characterised by persistent Atlantic frontal systems.
Contributing Factors
7
6.6mm today follows 24.2mm on April 3rd and 11.6mm on April 4th, meaning the quarry has had essentially continuous wetting with no dry window.
371.5mm over 28 days is exceptionally high even for the Lake District, ensuring the quarry rim, drainage lines, and every crack and ledge are saturated.
The amphitheatre shape blocks the 40 km/h westerly winds that might otherwise help dry exposed crags, creating a damp microclimate within the bowl.
Average humidity of 84% over the last week severely limits evaporation from rock surfaces even during brief dry spells.
Average temperatures of just 6.4°C over the past week provide minimal evaporative potential for surface moisture.
Zero consecutive dry days means there has been no meaningful drying window whatsoever — the quarry will be thoroughly wet.
The quarried and polished slate at Hodge Close loses friction dramatically when even slightly damp, making climbing dangerous rather than just uncomfortable.
Recommendations
3
- Do not attempt to climb at Hodge Close today — the quarry will be wet, greasy, and actively seeping from the rim.
- Wait for at least two consecutive dry days with low humidity before visiting; monitor conditions for April 7th as a possible earliest window.
- If visiting the area, consider this a rest day or reconnaissance trip — the quarry is atmospheric to visit even when too wet to climb.
Do Not Climb
92%
10 days ago
Hodge Close Quarry is currently wet and unsuitable for climbing. Today has seen 9.3mm of rain on top of an extremely wet recent period (86mm in 7 days, 363mm in 28 days), and the sheltered quarry bowl will be saturated with standing water, active seepage, and greasy slate surfaces.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed amphitheatre shape traps humidity and severely limits air circulation, meaning even after rain stops the quarry interior remains damp far longer than open crags nearby.
- Seepage from the quarry rim is fed by the saturated ground above and will persist for several days after this prolonged wet spell — expect water streaming down multiple wall sections.
- The polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are notably more slippery than natural slate; even a thin film of moisture makes friction-dependent moves dangerously unreliable.
- North-facing walls in the quarry bowl receive minimal direct sunlight in early April and will be the last sections to dry — south-facing upper walls may appear dry while lower and shaded sections remain wet.
Warnings
3
- Polished quarried slate is treacherously slippery when wet — even a thin film of moisture can cause unexpected friction failure and serious falls.
- Seepage from the quarry rim will persist for days after this prolonged wet spell; water may be streaming down walls that appear dry from a distance.
- The deep quarry pool below routes adds significant consequence to any fall — cold water immersion in early April poses a hypothermia risk.
Reasoning
The rock is currently wet from today's 9.3mm of rain, following an exceptionally wet month with 363mm total precipitation and 86mm in the last week alone — the quarry surfaces and seepage lines will be thoroughly saturated.
Despite strong winds today (43 km/h SW), the sheltered quarry bowl receives minimal benefit from wind-driven drying, and with zero consecutive dry days the slate surfaces have had no opportunity to shed moisture.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural damage when wet, but the concern here is entirely about the treacherously greasy surface of polished quarried slate — falls from friction failure are a serious risk.
Early April in the Lake District at 220m altitude means cool temperatures (averaging 6.8°C over the past week), weak sun angle, and short effective drying windows — recovery from this prolonged wet spell will be slow.
Contributing Factors
7
85.7mm in the last 7 days and 362.6mm over 28 days represents an exceptionally wet period that will have thoroughly saturated the ground above the quarry, feeding persistent seepage.
9.3mm of rain today means the rock is actively wet with no drying period before any climbing attempt.
The enclosed amphitheatre traps humid air and blocks wind, dramatically slowing surface drying despite the strong winds above the rim.
Average humidity of 85% over the past week and 85% today inhibits evaporation and keeps surfaces damp even between rain events.
Quarried and polished slate surfaces lose friction dramatically when damp, making even residual moisture a serious safety hazard.
Average temperatures of only 6.8°C provide limited evaporative drying power, and the low April sun angle means limited direct solar heating of north-facing walls.
While 43 km/h winds are blowing today, Hodge Close's sheltered position means these have minimal effect on drying within the quarry bowl itself.
Recommendations
3
- Do not attempt to climb at Hodge Close today — the quarry is wet and polished slate will be dangerously greasy.
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with low humidity before visiting; the quarry's sheltered nature means it needs significantly longer to dry than surrounding open crags.
- If visiting the area, consider checking more exposed and wind-dried crags with better aspects rather than this enclosed quarry venue.
Do Not Climb
92%
11 days ago
Hodge Close is currently receiving heavy rain today (21.2mm) on top of an extremely wet recent period (77mm in the last 7 days, 354mm in the last 28 days). The sheltered quarry bowl will be saturated, with active seepage from the rim and greasy slate surfaces throughout — 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 even after rain stops the quarried surfaces will remain damp and greasy far longer than open crags nearby.
- Seepage lines from the quarry rim are likely to be running heavily given the sustained wet period — over 350mm in the past month — and these can persist for days after the last rain.
- Polished quarried slate surfaces at Hodge Close are notoriously slippery even with light moisture; the combination of active rain, seepage, and high humidity makes friction negligible today.
- North-facing walls in the quarry bowl will be the last to dry and may retain surface moisture well into any upcoming dry spell given the sheltered aspect and moderate altitude.
Warnings
3
- Active rain and saturated slate surfaces create a severe slip hazard — falls on greasy quarried slate can be sudden and uncontrollable.
- Rim seepage will persist for days after rain stops given the extreme ground saturation from 354mm in the past month.
- The deep quarry pool and cold water temperatures make any fall from height into the water a serious hypothermia risk in early April.
Reasoning
The rock is actively wet today with 21.2mm of rain falling, humidity at 89%, and the quarry bowl will be saturated from the relentless recent precipitation (77mm in 7 days, 354mm in 28 days).
With zero consecutive dry days, sheltered wind exposure, and the enclosed quarry trapping moisture, there has been no meaningful drying — surface water and seepage will be widespread.
Slate is non-porous and does not suffer structural damage from moisture, but the extreme wetness creates a severe friction and slip hazard on the polished quarried surfaces.
Early April in the Lake District with persistently cool temperatures (averaging 6.5°C) and high humidity (84%) means evaporation rates are very low, compounding the effect of the prolonged wet spell.
Contributing Factors
6
21.2mm of precipitation today means the quarry is actively wet with running water on surfaces and pooling on ledges.
76.8mm in the last 7 days and 354mm in the last 28 days represents a prolonged saturation period that will drive heavy seepage from the quarry rim.
The enclosed amphitheatre shape traps humidity and prevents air circulation, dramatically slowing surface drying even on non-porous rock.
Humidity at 89% and temperatures averaging only 6.5°C over the past week severely limit evaporation and drying potential.
Quarried slate at Hodge Close is notoriously greasy when damp, with friction dropping to dangerous levels even from light surface moisture.
There has been no dry spell to begin any drying process — the crag has had almost continuous rain for weeks.
Recommendations
3
- Do not attempt to climb at Hodge Close today — conditions are clearly wet and dangerous on the polished slate.
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with moderate wind before considering a visit, and even then check seepage lines from the rim on arrival.
- If visiting the area, consider this a rest day or explore the scenery — the quarry is atmospheric even when unclimbable.
Climbing Outlook