Condition Analysis
AI-powered assessment using site data and 14-day weather history
Crookrise is currently wet from today's intermittent rain and the significant rainfall earlier this week (Aug 17–21: ~28mm cumulative), and a prolonged spell of heavy rain is forecast from tomorrow through at least Aug 31. Conditions are clearly unsuitable for climbing now and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Although Crookrise is south-facing and exposed — normally excellent for drying — the incoming multi-day rain event (50mm+ forecast) will completely negate any drying advantage.
- The 3.5km walk-in across open moorland will be boggy and unpleasant in sustained wet weather; standing water on the approach is a good proxy for crag saturation.
- The crag had a decent dry spell Aug 22–25 after earlier heavy rain, but today's showers have re-wetted the surface and the forecast will push the rock back to deep saturation.
- As a BMC-owned site with quality gritstone bouldering, the ethical responsibility to avoid wet climbing here is particularly important — damage is permanent and the crag belongs to the climbing community.
Warnings
2
- Do not climb on wet gritstone — even surface-dry rock can be deeply saturated internally, leading to hold breakage and permanent route damage.
- The extended wet forecast (50mm+ over 5 days) means conditions will be genuinely unsafe through at least the end of August.
Reasoning
The rock received light rain today (1.7mm across scattered afternoon showers) on top of incomplete drying from the heavy Aug 17–21 wet spell (~28mm), meaning internal moisture levels are elevated despite four dry days prior.
The four dry days Aug 22–25 with moderate winds and reasonable temperatures provided useful surface drying, but today's rain has re-wetted the rock, and with 50mm+ forecast over the next five days, no meaningful drying will occur until at least September.
Prolonged saturation from repeated wetting events risks significant strength loss in the gritstone — climbing on saturated rock could break holds and cause irreversible damage to this community-owned crag.
Late August typically offers good conditions, but this particular weather pattern is unusually wet; no freeze-thaw risk at current temperatures, though prolonged saturation is the primary concern.
Contributing Factors
6
Over 50mm of rain is forecast between Aug 27–31, ensuring deep and prolonged saturation of the gritstone.
Scattered light rain through the afternoon (1.7mm total today) has re-wetted the rock surface after a brief dry spell.
Nearly 28mm fell over five days last week, and while four dry days followed, they were insufficient to fully dry porous gritstone internally.
The south-facing, exposed position normally provides excellent drying, but this advantage is irrelevant during active and imminent heavy rainfall.
Humidity has averaged 80% over the past week and is forecast to remain above 85% for the next five days, severely limiting evaporative drying.
Temperatures of 13–20°C are adequate for drying in principle but are meaningless when rain continues to replenish moisture faster than it can evaporate.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Crookrise until at least 48–72 hours of dry weather follow the end of this wet spell — realistically not before September 3 at the earliest.
- Monitor forecasts closely; the crag's south-facing, exposed position means it will recover faster than most gritstone venues once the rain stops.
- If visiting the area, consider non-porous alternatives such as limestone crags in the Yorkshire Dales that can be climbed safely when wet (though still slippery).
Previous Analyses
Marginal — Assess Conditions
62%
57 days ago
Three consecutive dry days following a significant wet spell (19.3mm on Aug 19–20 alone, with 28.2mm total Aug 16–21) have allowed some drying, but the south-facing, exposed aspect and moderate winds have been working in Crookrise's favour. Today is fully dry with low-to-moderate humidity, so a careful on-site assessment could find climbable conditions on upper, well-exposed faces, but lower sections and seepage areas may still hold moisture.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise's south-facing aspect and exposed moorland position mean it dries considerably faster than sheltered or north-facing gritstone edges, making it one of the better options after wet weather.
- The 3.5km walk-in from Embsay Reservoir means committing significant time before you can assess conditions — check the ground at the crag base for dampness before climbing.
- At 320m altitude on open moorland, conditions can feel much cooler and windier than in the valley, and the crag can go from sunny to cloud-covered quickly.
- Heavy rain is forecast from Aug 26–28 (over 50mm), so today represents the last realistic climbing window for at least a week.
Warnings
2
- The rock surface may appear dry while internal moisture remains elevated — apply extra caution on fragile-looking holds and avoid pulling hard on suspect features.
- Over 50mm of rain is forecast Aug 26–28; the crag will likely need 4–5+ dry days to recover afterwards.
Reasoning
The most significant rainfall was 10.3mm on Aug 20 and 9.0mm on Aug 19, totalling over 19mm in two days, followed by 1.3mm on Aug 21 — three full dry days have passed since, but internal moisture may persist given the cumulative 28mm from Aug 16–21.
Three dry days with a south-facing, exposed aspect, moderate westerly-to-easterly winds (13–18 km/h), and temperatures around 14–17°C with humidity dropping to 69–73% provide reasonable but not exceptional drying conditions for gritstone.
With the recent heavy wetting cycle and only three days of drying, internal moisture levels may still be elevated enough to reduce hold strength, particularly on lower faces and in sheltered pockets.
Mid-to-late August offers reasonable drying potential with adequate daylight hours and moderate temperatures, though the recent spell has been cool (avg 11.9°C over 7 days) which slows evaporation.
Contributing Factors
6
28.2mm fell between Aug 16–21, including 10.3mm on Aug 20 alone, thoroughly saturating the gritstone.
Aug 22–24 have been completely dry, providing a continuous drying window that approaches the minimum 48–72 hour guideline for heavy rain.
The south-facing orientation and exposed moorland position maximise solar radiation and wind exposure, significantly accelerating drying compared to sheltered or north-facing crags.
Temperatures of 14–17°C and humidity around 69–79% over the drying period are adequate but not ideal for rapid evaporation at this altitude.
Over 50mm of rain is forecast from Aug 26–28, meaning today is effectively the last opportunity before a prolonged re-saturation period.
Today's hourly forecast shows zero precipitation, humidity dropping to 55% by mid-afternoon, and clear-to-partly-cloudy skies — good final drying conditions.
Recommendations
3
- Visit today if possible, but carefully check the ground at the crag base and feel the rock surface before committing — if either feels damp, do not climb.
- Focus on upper, well-exposed sections of the crag which will have dried fastest; avoid lower faces, gullies, and any areas with visible seepage or discolouration.
- Be aware that heavy rain arrives from Aug 26 onwards, so conditions will deteriorate significantly — do not plan gritstone climbing later this week.
Do Not Climb
45%
58 days ago
Crookrise received significant rain recently (9mm on Aug 19, 10.3mm on Aug 20, plus lighter rain on Aug 21), and has had only two full dry days since. While the south-facing, exposed aspect helps drying, the high humidity (average 86% over the last week) and moderate temperatures have slowed the process considerably — the rock likely retains internal moisture, particularly at the base of boulders and in seepage zones.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise is a south-facing exposed moorland edge, which gives it above-average drying potential, but the 3.5km walk-in means conditions cannot easily be checked in advance — arriving to find damp rock is a significant time commitment wasted.
- The moorland setting means the ground around the boulders can remain boggy for days after heavy rain; if the peat and grass at the base of problems is still wet, the rock almost certainly retains internal moisture.
- Seepage lines and horizontal breaks on gritstone edges like Crookrise can hold water long after the main face appears dry — check carefully around cracks and overlap features before committing to a problem.
- BMC-owned crag — climbers have a particular responsibility to protect the rock and set a good example for sustainable use of this community asset.
Warnings
2
- Very heavy rain is forecast for Aug 27–28 (80+ mm combined) — conditions will become unsafe and remain so for an extended period afterwards.
- The surface of gritstone can appear and feel dry while the interior remains saturated — do not rely on touch alone to judge readiness.
Reasoning
After 19.3mm of rain on Aug 19–20 plus 1.3mm on Aug 21, only two dry days have elapsed with average humidity around 77–79%, meaning the gritstone is very likely still holding significant internal moisture despite potentially appearing surface-dry.
The south-facing aspect and moderate wind exposure (~15 km/h) are helpful, but temperatures have been cool (5–16°C range) and humidity has remained elevated, limiting evaporative drying to the outer surface layer while the interior likely remains damp.
With recent heavy saturation and only partial drying, gritstone holds are at elevated risk of breakage — particularly on smaller crimps and edges where internal moisture weakens the grain bonds.
Late August should offer reasonable drying conditions, but this week has been unusually cool and damp for summer, with temperatures well below seasonal norms and persistent high humidity undermining drying potential.
Contributing Factors
6
19.3mm fell across Aug 19–20 with further light rain on Aug 21, thoroughly saturating the porous gritstone.
Two dry days is the bare minimum guideline for light rain on porous rock, and insufficient after 19+ mm of heavy rain.
Average humidity of 86% over the past week severely limits evaporative drying, meaning internal moisture persists even when the surface feels dry.
The south-facing, wind-exposed position gives Crookrise the best possible natural drying conditions for a gritstone edge at this altitude.
Overnight lows of 5°C and daytime highs of only 16°C are below seasonal norms and slow evaporative drying considerably.
28.5mm in the past 7 days and 41.5mm over 28 days means the rock has been repeatedly re-wetted, preventing full drying between rainfall events.
Recommendations
3
- Wait at least one more full dry day (ideally two) before visiting — if tomorrow (Aug 24) stays dry as forecast, conditions may become assessable by late on Aug 25, but the incoming heavy rain on Aug 27–28 will reset any drying progress.
- If you do visit, check the peat and ground at the base of the boulders — if the moorland is still squelchy, the rock is almost certainly too damp to climb safely.
- Prioritise higher, steeper, and more exposed faces which will have dried fastest; avoid low-level slabs, cracks, and any features showing dark patches or seepage.
Do Not Climb
30%
59 days ago
Crookrise received significant rainfall over the past week — nearly 30mm in 7 days, including 10.3mm on August 20th and further rain on the 21st — with only one full dry day (today) since. Despite the south-facing aspect and exposed position, this is far too little drying time for gritstone that has been repeatedly saturated; the rock is very likely still wet internally.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise's south-facing aspect and exposed moorland position give it above-average drying potential, but the recent prolonged wet spell (29.5mm in 7 days) will have deeply saturated the porous gritstone beyond what one dry day can remedy.
- The 3.5km walk-in means committing significant time before being able to assess conditions — checking the ground at the crag base for moisture is essential before climbing.
- As a bouldering venue, falls are closer to the ground where drainage keeps the base sections wettest longest; lower holds and landings may remain damp even when upper rock feels dry.
- BMC-owned crag — climbers have a particular responsibility to protect the rock and set a good example by respecting dry-rock ethics.
Warnings
2
- The rock surface may appear dry while the interior remains saturated — surface dryness is not a reliable indicator after this amount of rain.
- Nearly 30mm of rain in the past week means significant compressive strength loss in the gritstone; hold breakage risk is elevated.
Reasoning
With 10.3mm on Aug 20, 1.3mm on Aug 21, and only one dry day since, the gritstone is almost certainly still saturated internally despite any surface drying.
The south-facing aspect and moderate wind (~13 km/h) today will have begun surface drying, but at 79% humidity and only ~15°C, one day is wholly insufficient to dry gritstone after nearly 30mm of rain in a week.
Gritstone at this saturation level will have lost a significant proportion of its compressive strength — climbing risks hold breakage and permanent route damage.
Late summer conditions are reasonable for eventual drying, but the recent cool, humid spell (average 12°C, 87% humidity over the last week) has severely hampered evaporation.
Contributing Factors
6
29.5mm fell in the last 7 days, including a 10.3mm event on August 20th, deeply saturating the porous gritstone.
Only one full dry day has elapsed since the last rain (1.3mm on Aug 21), far short of the 48–72+ hours needed after heavy rain.
Average humidity over the past week was 87%, severely limiting evaporative drying even on the single dry day.
The south-facing, wind-exposed position gives Crookrise better-than-average drying potential once dry weather establishes.
Average temperature of 12°C over the past week is below optimal for rapid drying of saturated rock.
Repeated rain events from Aug 16–21 prevented any meaningful drying between showers, keeping the rock in a persistently saturated state.
Recommendations
3
- Wait at least until August 25th (3+ dry days) before considering a visit, and even then assess conditions carefully on arrival.
- On arrival, check the ground at the base of the crag — if the soil and peat are still moist, the rock is almost certainly still wet internally.
- If you make the walk-in and find conditions marginal, do not climb — the 3.5km return is far preferable to damaging BMC-owned routes.
Do Not Climb
92%
60 days ago
Crookrise has received significant rainfall over the past five days (34.1mm in the last week), including 10.3mm yesterday and 5.9mm today, with high humidity averaging 87%. Despite the south-facing aspect and exposed position, the rock will be thoroughly saturated and needs multiple dry days to recover.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise's south-facing aspect and exposed moorland position are normally excellent for drying, but the sustained wet spell (rain on 5 of the last 5 days totalling ~33mm) will have deeply saturated the gritstone beyond what surface drying can quickly remedy.
- The 3.5km walk-in across open moorland will itself be boggy and unpleasant after this much rain — wet ground at the crag base is a reliable indicator that the rock is still holding moisture.
- BMC-owned since 2017, Crookrise deserves particular care; climbing on wet gritstone causes permanent hold damage to an irreplaceable bouldering venue.
- Seepage and drainage from the moorland above can feed moisture into the top of the crag even after rain stops, prolonging drying times at this edge-type venue.
Warnings
2
- Climbing on saturated gritstone risks permanent hold breakage and route damage — Crookrise is a BMC-owned venue with irreplaceable bouldering.
- A further 25.7mm of rain is forecast for August 26, which will re-saturate the crag and require another extended drying period.
Reasoning
With 34.1mm of rain in the last seven days — including heavy falls of 10.3mm (Aug 20) and 9.0mm (Aug 19) and continued rain today (5.9mm) — the gritstone will be deeply saturated well beyond surface level, likely approaching 80–90% pore saturation.
No consecutive dry days have occurred yet; drying cannot meaningfully begin until rain stops, and even with the south-facing aspect and wind exposure, at least 48–72 hours of dry weather will be needed after such a prolonged wet spell with high humidity.
At near-full saturation the gritstone could be experiencing 30–50% compressive strength loss, making hold breakage a serious risk — especially on the friction-dependent bouldering that characterises Crookrise.
Summer conditions should aid drying once the rain stops, but current temperatures are below seasonal average (12–15°C) and humidity remains high (82–97%), significantly slowing evaporation.
Contributing Factors
6
34.1mm in the last 7 days across multiple rain events, with 10.3mm yesterday and 5.9mm today, means the rock is deeply and repeatedly saturated.
Rain has fallen today and on four of the last five days, so no meaningful drying period has begun.
Average humidity of 87% over the last week severely limits evaporative drying even when rain pauses.
The south-facing orientation and exposed moorland position will accelerate drying once dry weather arrives, but cannot overcome ongoing saturation.
Temperatures of 13–15°C are below summer norms and reduce the rate of evaporative drying.
Three dry days are forecast from tomorrow, which will begin the drying process, though humidity remains moderate (75–79%).
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb today or tomorrow — the rock is saturated after 34mm of rain this week and needs at least 48–72 hours of dry weather to begin recovering.
- The earliest reasonable window to assess conditions on-site would be August 24, after two full dry days, but check that the ground at the crag base is sandy-dry before committing to climb.
- Monitor the forecast closely — heavy rain (25.7mm) is predicted for August 26, which will reset drying progress entirely.
Do Not Climb
95%
61 days ago
Crookrise has received significant rainfall over the past four days (30.4mm in the last week, including 11.5mm yesterday and 10mm today), and the rock will be thoroughly saturated. Despite the south-facing aspect and exposed position, the gritstone needs multiple dry days to recover from this level of soaking, and none are available yet.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise is BMC-owned — climbing on wet rock here risks damaging a community asset that we all have a responsibility to protect.
- The 3.5km walk-in across open moorland means the approach itself will be boggy and waterlogged after this prolonged wet spell, which is a good proxy indicator that the rock is still saturated.
- South-facing aspect and exposed position are significant advantages for drying, but the cumulative rainfall (nearly 20mm in the last two days alone) overwhelms these benefits in the short term.
- Seepage and drainage from the moorland above can continue feeding moisture into the rock even after rain stops, particularly after prolonged wet periods like this one.
Warnings
2
- Climbing on saturated gritstone causes permanent, irreversible damage to holds — Crookrise is BMC-owned and we all share responsibility for its preservation.
- The rock surface may appear dry before the interior has adequately dried — do not rely on surface appearance alone after this much rainfall.
Reasoning
With 11.5mm on Aug 19 and 10mm today (Aug 20), plus 3.5mm on Aug 17 and 4.4mm on Aug 18, the gritstone is comprehensively saturated well beyond the critical 1% threshold where strength loss begins.
Today's rain only stopped in the early hours and intermittent drizzle/showers have continued through the day; meaningful drying has not yet begun, and with humidity averaging 85% and 100% cloud cover, evaporation is negligible.
Gritstone at this saturation level will have lost 30%+ of its compressive strength, making hold breakage and grain loosening a serious risk — climbing now would cause permanent damage to the bouldering problems.
Late summer in northern England has been delivering persistent unsettled weather; while temperatures are above freezing so freeze-thaw is not a concern, the cool temperatures (13–15°C) and high humidity slow drying considerably.
Contributing Factors
6
Over 30mm in the last 7 days including 21.5mm in the last two days alone has thoroughly saturated the gritstone.
There have been zero consecutive dry days — rain fell today and on each of the preceding three days.
Average humidity of 87% over the last week severely limits evaporative drying even during dry spells.
The south-facing and wind-exposed position will accelerate drying once rain stops and conditions improve, but this advantage cannot overcome current saturation.
Average temperatures around 13–15°C are well below summer norms and slow evaporation from porous rock.
Today's hourly data shows intermittent light precipitation continuing through the afternoon, preventing any drying from beginning.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Crookrise today or tomorrow — the rock is saturated and needs a sustained dry spell to recover.
- Monitor conditions and aim for August 23 at the earliest if the forecast dry spell on Aug 22–23 materialises, but visually assess the rock and check the ground at the base before climbing.
- Check the base of the crag on arrival — if the ground is damp or boggy, the rock is almost certainly still too wet internally.
Do Not Climb
95%
62 days ago
Crookrise is thoroughly saturated after multiple days of rain culminating in 12.3mm today, with a further 26.1mm forecast tomorrow. The rock will have had no meaningful drying opportunity and conditions are clearly unsafe for climbing on gritstone.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise's south-facing aspect and exposed position normally aid fast drying, but this advantage is negated by the sustained wet spell and upcoming heavy rain tomorrow.
- The 3.5km moorland walk-in means the approach itself will be boggy and waterlogged, and seepage from saturated peat above the crag can keep the base wet long after rain stops.
- As a BMC-owned site, climbers have a particular responsibility to protect this crag — climbing on wet gritstone here causes permanent damage to an irreplaceable community asset.
- The boulder problems at Crookrise often start from low landings near the crag base, which will be among the last areas to dry given downward water migration through the rock.
Warnings
3
- Climbing on saturated gritstone causes permanent hold breakage and irreversible erosion — Crookrise is a BMC-owned community asset that must be protected.
- The 26.1mm forecast for tomorrow means conditions will worsen significantly before they improve.
- The moorland approach will be waterlogged; take appropriate footwear and be prepared for poor visibility if cloud is low at 320m.
Reasoning
The rock is fully saturated following 3.5mm on Aug 17, 3.8mm on Aug 18, and 12.3mm today, with near-continuous rain through the morning and humidity at 90–99% — there has been zero effective drying.
Despite moderate westerly winds (~21 km/h) and a south-facing aspect, the persistent rainfall and near-saturated humidity (82% average over the last 7 days) have prevented any meaningful evaporation, and 26.1mm forecast tomorrow will reset any drying progress entirely.
Gritstone at this saturation level will have lost 30%+ of its compressive strength, making hold breakage a serious risk — the repeated wetting over recent weeks compounds the danger.
Mid-August should be prime season, but this unusually wet spell (20.6mm in the last 7 days, 33.7mm over 28 days) has kept the rock in poor condition; temperatures around 15°C are adequate for drying but only once the rain stops.
Contributing Factors
6
12.3mm recorded/forecast today with rain continuing through the morning and a further heavy burst of 6.1mm expected at 23:00, ensuring thorough saturation.
26.1mm forecast for August 20th will re-saturate any surface that might briefly dry, making tomorrow entirely unsuitable.
Over 20mm in the past 7 days across multiple rain events means the rock has had no chance to dry internally, with deep saturation likely.
The south-facing, exposed position will accelerate drying once the rain finally stops, but this advantage is irrelevant while precipitation continues.
Average humidity of 82% over the past week severely limits evaporative drying even during brief dry windows.
Temperatures around 14–16°C are adequate for drying but not high enough to rapidly drive off deep moisture from heavily saturated rock.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Crookrise until at least 48–72 hours of dry weather have elapsed after the rain stops — realistically not before August 23rd at the earliest.
- Check the base of the crag on arrival: if the ground is damp or the rock darkens when touched, the gritstone is still too wet internally.
- Consider non-porous alternatives such as limestone venues in the Yorkshire Dales if you need a climbing fix this week.
Do Not Climb
95%
63 days ago
Crookrise is currently saturated from ongoing rain today (6.4mm) following several days of wet weather, with further heavy rain forecast tomorrow (8.1mm) and the day after (9.2mm). The rock will not be in climbable condition until at least 48 hours after the rain stops on August 20th.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise's south-facing, exposed aspect is a major advantage for drying, but cannot compensate for active and ongoing precipitation with near-100% humidity.
- The 3.5km moorland walk-in means the approach itself will be boggy and unpleasant in current conditions — saturated peat and standing water are likely.
- As a BMC-owned crag, there is particular responsibility to protect the rock; climbing on wet gritstone here sets a poor example and risks damaging quality boulder problems.
- The crag sits at 320m on open moorland — low cloud and mist are common in these conditions and may reduce visibility and make the rock feel even damper than lower-altitude sites.
Warnings
2
- Climbing on wet gritstone causes permanent, irreversible damage to holds — do not climb if the rock feels cold or damp to the touch.
- The moorland approach will be very boggy; waterproof footwear is essential for the walk-in even on forecast dry days this week.
Reasoning
The rock is thoroughly saturated: 1.0mm on Aug 16, 2.7mm on Aug 17, and 6.4mm today with intermittent rain throughout the entire day at near-100% humidity, meaning zero drying has occurred.
Despite the exposed, south-facing aspect, there has been no meaningful drying window since Aug 15 — humidity has been 82–96% with continuous light-to-moderate rain, and further heavy rain is forecast through Aug 20.
Gritstone at this level of saturation will have lost 30%+ of its compressive strength, with significant risk of hold breakage and grain loosening on the boulder problems.
Mid-August should offer good drying potential, but this is a notably wet and cool spell; temperatures are well below seasonal averages (12–15°C vs typical 18–20°C), further slowing any drying.
Contributing Factors
6
6.4mm of rain spread across the entire day with near-100% humidity means the rock is fully saturated with no drying possible.
8.1mm forecast for Aug 19 followed by 9.2mm on Aug 20 will keep the rock completely saturated for at least two more days.
Over 10mm in the last 7 days and ongoing precipitation mean deep saturation of the gritstone, requiring extended drying time.
Humidity has been 82–100% for the past three days and is forecast to remain above 85% until Aug 21, preventing any effective evaporative drying.
Once dry weather arrives, the south-facing and wind-exposed position will promote relatively fast drying compared to sheltered or north-facing crags.
Temperatures of 12–15°C are well below August norms, reducing evaporation rates even when rain stops.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Crookrise until at least August 22nd; the rock needs a minimum of 48 hours of dry weather after the rain ends on August 20th.
- Check the ground at the base of the crag on arrival — if the peat and soil are still damp, the gritstone will be wet internally even if the surface looks dry.
- If visiting on August 22nd or 23rd, focus on steep or overhanging problems which shed water faster, and avoid slabs and lower sections of the crag.
Do Not Climb
90%
64 days ago
Crookrise is currently wet from rain today and yesterday (2.1mm on the 16th, 1.9mm today so far), with very high humidity (93%) and 100% cloud cover suppressing any drying. The forecast shows heavy rain tomorrow (8.7mm) and again on the 20th (11.1mm), meaning conditions will remain unsuitable for climbing for several days.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise's south-facing, exposed aspect normally gives it excellent drying properties, but the current spell of overcast, humid weather with light winds is negating these advantages.
- The 3.5km walk-in across open moorland means the approach itself will be wet and unpleasant in these conditions, and conditions at the crag may be worse than at lower elevations.
- At 320m altitude the persistent 100% cloud cover may mean the crag is sitting in low cloud or mist, adding direct moisture to the rock surface beyond what rainfall alone delivers.
- The recent weeks have seen frequent light rain events (4.0mm in the last 7 days, 17.1mm over 28 days) preventing the gritstone from ever fully drying out internally.
Warnings
2
- Climbing on wet gritstone causes permanent, irreversible damage to holds and route quality — Crookrise is BMC-owned and the community has a shared responsibility to protect it.
- The 3.5km moorland approach in wet, cloudy conditions at 320m may involve poor visibility and boggy terrain — take appropriate navigation and footwear.
Reasoning
The rock is currently wet from 1.9mm of rain today on top of 2.1mm yesterday, with humidity at 93% and no drying window — the gritstone will be saturated at the surface and internally.
Despite the south-facing, exposed aspect, today's near-calm winds (1–6 km/h for most of the day), 100% cloud cover, and humidity consistently above 85% mean virtually no evaporative drying is occurring.
With the rock likely at high saturation levels from repeated recent wetting events and no adequate drying intervals, climbing would risk hold breakage and grain loosening on this gritstone.
Mid-August should offer good drying conditions, but this unsettled spell with cool temperatures (15–17°C max) and persistent high humidity is atypical and is preventing normal summer drying.
Contributing Factors
6
1.9mm of precipitation today with 0.2mm already fallen overnight and 1.5mm forecast late tonight, keeping the rock surface wet.
Humidity has been 84–99% throughout today with 100% cloud cover, effectively halting evaporative drying.
The last fully dry period was Aug 11–15, but 2.1mm fell on the 16th and further rain today means the rock has had no chance to dry.
Wind speeds of only 1–8 km/h for most of today are unusually low for this exposed site and cannot drive meaningful surface drying.
8.7mm is forecast for August 18th, which will thoroughly re-saturate any partially dried rock and reset the drying clock.
Normally a strong positive for drying, but currently negated by persistent overcast skies, high humidity, and light winds.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Crookrise today or in the coming days — the rock is wet and the forecast shows further heavy rain.
- The earliest realistic window may be August 22nd or 23rd, but only if the drying forecast holds — check updated weather before committing to the 3.5km walk-in.
- If visiting the area, consider non-porous alternatives such as limestone venues which are not damaged by wet climbing (though still slippery).
Do Not Climb
55%
65 days ago
Today has seen 0.8mm of rain with high humidity, and the forecast brings further rain tomorrow (1.2mm) and heavier falls on the 18th and 19th (4.6mm and 4.5mm). While the rock had a good drying spell from August 11–15, today's moisture resets the clock, and with more rain incoming, conditions are unlikely to be reliably dry until at least August 21st.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Crookrise's south-facing aspect and exposed position on the moorland edge mean it benefits from excellent solar radiation and wind-driven drying, making it one of the faster-drying gritstone venues in the area.
- The 3.5km walk-in across open moorland can be unpleasant in wet and windy weather — the forecast westerlies of 28–35 km/h on Aug 18–19 will make the approach feel cold and exposed.
- Despite being south-facing, the crag sits at 320m on saturated peat moorland, and seepage from the moor above can feed moisture to the top of the edge even after the face itself has dried.
- BMC-owned site with free access — no seasonal restrictions, but the community expectation is high regarding responsible use and not climbing on damp gritstone.
Warnings
2
- Do not climb today or over the next few days — rain is falling now and heavier rain is forecast for August 18–19; gritstone damage from wet climbing is permanent.
- Moorland seepage from above may persist for several days after rain stops, even when the main face appears dry.
Reasoning
Today's 0.8mm rain on already moderately humid rock (after scattered light showers in recent days at 0.3mm on Aug 10, 0.1mm on Aug 9) means the surface is currently damp despite the good drying window of Aug 11–15.
The Aug 11–15 spell of warm, dry, lower-humidity weather with SE/S winds would have dried the rock well, but today's rain and the incoming wet spell (totalling ~10mm over Aug 17–19) will re-saturate the surface and require a fresh 48–72 hour drying window afterwards.
Cumulative rainfall has been modest (13.9mm over 28 days) so deep saturation is unlikely, but the repeated light wetting events prevent the rock from fully drying internally, maintaining some structural risk from reduced grain cohesion.
Mid-August conditions are generally favourable for drying with reasonable temperatures and daylight hours, but the current unsettled Atlantic pattern is keeping humidity high and delivering frequent light showers.
Contributing Factors
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0.8mm today followed by 1.2mm tomorrow and ~9mm over Aug 18–19 means no meaningful drying window until at least Aug 20.
The south-facing, wind-exposed position is ideal for rapid drying once dry weather returns, potentially allowing the rock to recover within 24–48 hours of the last rain under good conditions.
Humidity has averaged 71% over the past week and is forecast at 81–89% through Aug 20, significantly slowing evaporative drying.
Forecast winds of 17–35 km/h from the west will help strip surface moisture from this exposed edge, partially offsetting the high humidity.
Peat moorland above the crag retains water and can feed seepage to the top of the edge during and after wet spells, keeping upper sections damp longer than the face.
Five consecutive dry days (Aug 11–15) with warm temps up to 30°C and low humidity (51–66%) will have substantially dried the rock's interior before today's rain.
Recommendations
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- Wait until at least August 21st before visiting — the rock needs 48+ hours of dry weather after the heavy rain forecast on the 18th and 19th.
- On arrival, check the base of the crag and any horizontal breaks for dampness; if the peat at the crag base is sodden, the rock is likely still holding internal moisture.
- If you do visit on August 21st, prioritise lower-angle and more exposed faces that catch the wind, and avoid any sections with visible seepage or dark patches at the top of the edge.
Climbing Outlook