Earl Crag is thoroughly saturated after an exceptionally wet fortnight (82mm in 28 days, 29mm in the last 7 days alone) capped by 11.3mm of rain today. With no meaningful dry window in sight over the next five days and persistent high humidity, the gritstone will remain dangerously wet internally — climbing now or in the near future risks permanent hold damage and route degradation.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
How accurate is this verdict?
Climbing Outlook
Site Details
A collection of gritstone boulders and buttresses on the moors above Cowling, west of Keighley. Around 322 problems on distinctively hard, almost granite-like rock that creates a different, more friction-dependent style than typical grit. Grades skew harder — not a beginner venue. Moorland hilltop between Wainman's Pinnacle and Lund's Tower. Less crowded than more accessible venues.
- Rock Type
- Gritstone
- Wind Exposure
- Exposed
- Altitude
- 350m
- Climbing
- Bouldering
- Aspects
- S W
- Problems
- 322
- Boulder Grades
- Font 4 – Font 8a
- Access
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach
- 10 min
Site Data
- Name
- Earl Crag
- County
- Yorkshire
- Rock Type
- Gritstone
- Climbing Types
- Bouldering
- Aspects
- S, W
- Wind Exposure
- Exposed
- Altitude
- 350m
- Latitude
- 53.8824
- Longitude
- -2.0244
- OS Grid Ref
- —
- Access Type
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach Time
- 10 min
- Problem Count
- 322
- Route Count
- —
- Boulder Grades
- Font 4 – Font 8a
- Trad Grades
- —
- Tidal
- No
- Parking Notes
- Roadside parking near Cowling. Walk up to moorland hilltop between Wainman's Pinnacle and Lund's Tower.
- Condition Notes
- —
- ID
- 47e86595-fb7a-4524-9cf1-ffb092953f56
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