Condition Analysis
AI-powered assessment using site data and 14-day weather history
Trollers Gill is saturated after a prolonged wet spell — nearly 93mm in the last 28 days with significant rain in the past week and today — and the enclosed gorge will be holding moisture extensively. With humidity consistently above 85%, ongoing showers, and no meaningful dry spell forecast, the limestone will be greasy and potentially seeping throughout the gorge.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge acts as a moisture trap, retaining humidity and seepage far longer than open limestone crags, meaning the prolonged wet spell will have saturated walls and the gorge floor.
- East-facing aspect receives only morning sun, which is further limited by the narrow gorge walls, severely restricting solar drying potential.
- The sheltered position that makes Trollers Gill pleasant in wind also prevents airflow from assisting drying — a critical disadvantage after extended wet weather.
- Overhanging lower sections may be the first to dry but will still be greasy given persistent humidity above 85% throughout the gorge microclimate.
Warnings
3
- Glacially-polished limestone in this gorge becomes exceptionally slippery when damp — even a thin moisture film dramatically reduces friction.
- The gorge floor will be very wet and potentially slippery on the walk-in and between routes.
- Seepage lines within the enclosed gorge can persist for days after rain stops — do not assume the rock is dry based on the absence of overhead rain.
Reasoning
The rock is almost certainly wet or seeping throughout the gorge after 22.8mm in the last 7 days, 92.6mm in 28 days, and 8.2mm falling today with near-saturating humidity.
With zero consecutive dry days, sheltered aspect, limited morning-only sun, and ambient humidity averaging 85%, there has been effectively no meaningful drying — the gorge will be holding water extensively.
Limestone does not suffer structural damage from moisture, but the greasy surface in these conditions presents a serious slip and fall hazard on the smooth, glacially-polished walls.
Early June should offer improving conditions, but this period has been exceptionally wet and cool for the time of year, with temperatures well below seasonal averages limiting evaporation.
Contributing Factors
6
Nearly 93mm over 28 days with repeated multi-day rain events means the gorge is thoroughly saturated with no opportunity to dry out.
Average humidity of 85% over the past week with peaks at 96% prevents evaporation and keeps limestone surfaces greasy even where not directly wet.
8.2mm falling today with further 2.9mm forecast tomorrow means conditions are actively worsening rather than improving.
The narrow gorge traps moisture and blocks wind, dramatically slowing drying compared to any open or exposed crag.
East-facing walls receive only weak morning sun, further reduced by the gorge's narrow profile, providing minimal evaporative drying.
Average temperatures of only 11.4°C over the past week are well below summer norms and reduce evaporation rates significantly.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Trollers Gill until there has been at least 3–4 consecutive fully dry days with humidity dropping below 75%.
- If desperate to climb, consider an open, south-facing, well-drained limestone venue instead — the enclosed gorge will be the last local crag to dry.
- Monitor conditions closely from June 22 onwards if the forecast dry day materialises, but expect the gorge to need additional drying time beyond what open crags require.
Previous Analyses
Do Not Climb
30%
2 days ago
Trollers Gill has received over 80mm of rain in the past four weeks with significant rainfall on multiple days in the last fortnight, and the enclosed gorge will still be holding substantial moisture. With persistently high humidity (84% average over the last week), sheltered aspect, and only one truly dry day before today, the rock is very likely still damp or seeping — we recommend not climbing today.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge traps moisture and limits airflow, meaning drying times are significantly longer than open limestone crags — expect seepage lines to persist for days after the recent prolonged wet spell.
- East-facing walls only receive morning sun, and today's 100% cloud cover from mid-morning onward eliminates any solar drying benefit.
- Pockets and tufa features throughout the gill will be holding water from the repeated rain events over the past two weeks (over 45mm from June 8–12 alone).
- The gorge floor is almost certainly saturated and muddy, making the approach and belaying positions unpleasant and potentially hazardous.
Warnings
2
- Glacially polished limestone in the gorge becomes extremely slippery when damp — even a thin film of moisture can make technical slab and wall climbing dangerously insecure.
- Seepage from recent heavy rain may not be visible on the surface but can make holds greasy without warning.
Reasoning
With 84mm in 28 days including heavy rain on June 1–4, 8–9, and 11–12, and only a single fully dry day (June 14) before today, the enclosed gorge walls are very likely still damp with active seepage in places.
The sheltered gorge receives minimal wind penetration and east-facing walls get only brief morning sun — combined with persistently high humidity (76–96% over the last week), effective drying has been negligible since the last significant rain on June 12.
Limestone does not suffer structural weakening when wet, but the glacially polished surfaces become extremely greasy when damp, creating a serious slip hazard on the sustained, technical routes here.
Early June should offer improving conditions, but this has been an unusually wet and cool spell with temperatures well below seasonal norms (averaging only 10.8°C over the past week), further suppressing drying.
Contributing Factors
6
Over 45mm fell between June 8–12 alone, with further light rain on June 13 and today, giving the gorge no meaningful drying window.
The narrow, sheltered gorge severely limits airflow and solar exposure, dramatically extending drying times compared to open crags.
Humidity has averaged 84% over the past week with several days above 90%, preventing evaporative drying and likely causing condensation on cool rock surfaces.
The 7-day average temperature of just 10.8°C is well below seasonal norms, reducing the rock's ability to shed moisture.
100% cloud forecast from mid-morning eliminates any direct solar drying on the east-facing walls.
A single dry day with moderate wind and 76% humidity provides minimal drying for an enclosed gorge after such a prolonged wet period.
Recommendations
3
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with humidity below 75% before visiting — the gorge needs a sustained dry spell to shed accumulated moisture.
- If visiting the area, consider open south-facing limestone venues (e.g. Kilnsey or Malham) which will dry significantly faster than this enclosed gorge.
- Monitor conditions via UKC logbooks for recent ascent reports from Trollers Gill before making the trip.
Do Not Climb
25%
3 days ago
Trollers Gill has experienced a prolonged wet spell with 34mm in the last 7 days and 84mm over 28 days, with only one dry day since the last significant rain; the enclosed, sheltered gorge will be retaining substantial moisture. High humidity (84% average over the last week, 96% as recently as June 11) compounds the problem, making limestone surfaces greasy and preventing effective drying even on nominally dry days.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge acts as a moisture trap — limited airflow and east-only sun exposure mean seepage lines and damp patches persist far longer than at open crags after the kind of sustained wet period seen here.
- Pockets and tufa features throughout the gill will be holding water from repeated rain events over the past two weeks; even walls that look dry on the surface may have moisture weeping from behind.
- The gorge floor will be very damp and possibly muddy after 84mm in 28 days, affecting approach conditions and adding ambient humidity within the gill itself.
- Overhanging lower sections dry fastest and may offer the only climbable rock if conditions are assessed in person, but even these will suffer from high ambient humidity reducing friction.
Warnings
2
- Glacially polished limestone in the gorge becomes extremely slippery when damp — falls are likely on apparently dry-looking but humidity-greased surfaces.
- Multiple seepage lines are probable throughout the gorge after two weeks of repeated rain; walls may weep even if the surface appears dry.
Reasoning
With 34mm in the last 7 days across multiple rain events (including 10.4mm on June 11 and 10.2mm on June 8), and only one truly dry day, the gorge walls are almost certainly still wet or seeping in many places.
The sheltered, enclosed gorge with east-only aspect receives minimal direct sun and almost no wind penetration, meaning the single dry day (today) is wholly insufficient to dry the rock after such a prolonged wet spell — multiple consecutive dry days with lower humidity would be needed.
Limestone does not suffer structural weakening when wet, but the glacially polished, smooth surfaces characteristic of Trollers Gill become exceptionally slippery when damp, creating a significant safety hazard.
Early June should offer improving conditions, but this year's unsettled pattern with persistent rain and cool temperatures (average 10.7°C) has kept humidity high and prevented the sustained drying spells needed for this enclosed venue.
Contributing Factors
7
Six significant rain events in the last two weeks totalling 84mm have thoroughly saturated the gorge environment.
Just one consecutive dry day is far too few for a sheltered, enclosed gorge to shed moisture from repeated soakings.
Average humidity of 84% over the past week, with peaks of 96%, drastically slows evaporation and makes limestone surfaces greasy.
The gorge's enclosed nature traps humid air and blocks wind, preventing the airflow needed to dry rock surfaces.
Average temperatures of just 10.7°C over the past week provide minimal evaporative energy for drying.
East-facing walls receive only morning sun, and the narrow gorge further limits solar exposure needed for drying.
Today is dry with lower humidity (77%) and a northerly breeze, beginning the drying process.
Recommendations
3
- Wait for at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with humidity below 75% before visiting — the gorge needs sustained drying after this prolonged wet spell.
- If visiting soon, consider alternative open, south-facing limestone crags in the Dales that will have dried much faster than this enclosed gorge.
- Check for seepage and standing water in pockets before committing to any route — overhanging sections may be the only viable options in marginal conditions.
Do Not Climb
25%
4 days ago
Trollers Gill has received 35mm of rain over the past 7 days with virtually no consecutive dry days, and today still saw 0.5mm of precipitation — the enclosed gorge will be saturated, seeping, and greasy. With humidity averaging 85% and temperatures only around 11°C, meaningful drying has not occurred and conditions are unsuitable for climbing.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge acts as a moisture trap, holding dampness far longer than open crags — after this prolonged wet spell, walls and the gorge floor will remain wet for several days even once rain stops.
- East-facing aspect means only morning sun reaches the walls, and the sheltered, narrow gorge further limits airflow and solar drying, so expect seepage lines to persist well into any forecast dry window.
- Glacially polished limestone surfaces become exceptionally slippery when damp, more so than rougher limestone — even a thin film of moisture drastically reduces friction on these smooth walls.
- Pockets, grooves, and square-cut overhangs characteristic of this venue are prone to holding standing water and slow-draining seepage after sustained wet periods like the last fortnight.
Warnings
2
- Active seepage and standing water in pockets are highly likely after two weeks of near-continuous rain — polished limestone will be dangerously slippery.
- Further rain is forecast from June 16 onward, which will reset any drying progress and extend poor conditions into the following week.
Reasoning
With 35mm in the last 7 days, 10.4mm just two days ago, and rain on most of the last 12 days, the gorge walls will be thoroughly saturated with active seepage lines.
Zero consecutive dry days, sheltered aspect, limited morning-only sun, and persistent 80–96% humidity mean virtually no effective drying has occurred despite occasional drier interludes.
Limestone is not structurally weakened by moisture, but the glacially polished surfaces will be dangerously greasy and friction will be minimal.
Early June should offer improving conditions, but this has been an unusually prolonged wet spell with below-average temperatures (~11°C) that have suppressed evaporation.
Contributing Factors
7
35mm over the last 7 days with rain on nearly every day for the past fortnight has thoroughly saturated the gorge.
Humidity has averaged 85% over the past week, peaking at 96%, preventing effective surface drying between rain events.
The narrow gorge traps moisture and limits wind penetration, dramatically slowing drying compared to open crags.
East-facing walls receive only morning sun, insufficient to drive meaningful evaporation from saturated rock.
Temperatures averaging just 11°C over the past week significantly reduce evaporation rates.
Today still recorded 0.5mm of precipitation, meaning no uninterrupted drying window has begun.
Smooth, polished limestone loses friction dramatically when damp, creating a serious slip hazard.
Recommendations
3
- Wait for at least 3–4 consecutive dry days with humidity below 75% before visiting — the gorge needs a sustained drying window after this prolonged wet period.
- If you visit during the forecast dry window (June 14–15), check seepage lines and test friction on lower holds before committing to any route; be prepared to walk away.
- Prioritise overhanging routes in the lower gorge if conditions begin to improve, as these shed water fastest and are least affected by residual seepage.
Do Not Climb
88%
5 days ago
Trollers Gill has received nearly 39mm of rain in the last 7 days across multiple events, with rain again today, and the enclosed gorge will be holding significant moisture with seepage likely on many walls. Combined with very high average humidity (86%) and cool temperatures, the limestone will be greasy and conditions are unsuitable for climbing.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge traps moisture and limits airflow, meaning the sustained wet spell from June 1–12 will take significantly longer to dry out than an open crag.
- Seepage lines are common after prolonged rain — even overhanging sections may have water running down from above or pooling in pockets.
- The east-facing aspect only receives morning sun, which combined with the sheltered gorge geometry means minimal solar drying during the afternoon.
- The 25-minute walk-in from Parcevall Hall Gardens crosses open moorland that will also be very wet underfoot after this prolonged rain period.
Warnings
2
- Glacially polished limestone in the gorge will be extremely greasy — even surfaces that appear dry may have a moisture film causing sudden loss of friction.
- Active seepage is highly likely throughout the gorge after this extended wet period; pockets and horizontal breaks will be holding water.
Reasoning
With 39mm in the last 7 days spread across nearly every day and 84.6mm over the last 28 days, the gorge walls will be thoroughly saturated with active seepage likely in multiple locations.
Zero consecutive dry days, sheltered aspect, east-facing walls receiving only morning sun, and persistent humidity above 85% mean virtually no meaningful drying has occurred between rain events.
Limestone is not structurally weakened by moisture, but the glacially polished surfaces will be extremely slippery when damp, creating a serious fall hazard on the sustained, technical routes.
Despite being early summer, temperatures have been well below average (11°C over the last week) which further inhibits evaporation and drying in this sheltered gorge.
Contributing Factors
7
Nearly 39mm fell across six of the last seven days with no meaningful dry window, thoroughly wetting all surfaces and feeding seepage.
Average humidity of 86% over the last week prevents effective evaporative drying, especially in the sheltered gorge.
A further 3.5mm today means zero consecutive dry days and the drying clock has not started.
The narrow gorge geometry severely limits wind penetration and airflow, trapping humid air and prolonging drying times.
The 7-day average of 11.1°C is well below the seasonal norm, significantly slowing evaporation.
Only morning sun reaches the walls, reducing the daily drying window to a few hours at best.
The next few days show minimal precipitation and slightly warmer temperatures, suggesting drying may begin soon.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Trollers Gill for at least 2–3 full dry days; the gorge needs sustained dry weather with lower humidity to shed the accumulated moisture.
- Monitor conditions closely from June 14 onwards — if the dry forecast holds and humidity drops below 75%, the overhanging sections may begin to come into condition.
- If visiting the Yorkshire Dales area, consider more exposed, south-facing limestone venues that will dry out faster.
Do Not Climb
92%
6 days ago
Trollers Gill is thoroughly saturated after a prolonged wet spell — nearly 80mm over the last 28 days with significant rain on most of the last 10 days, culminating in 9mm today with near-100% humidity. The enclosed gorge will be actively seeping and greasy; conditions are clearly unsuitable for climbing.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge traps moisture and humidity far longer than open crags; after this sustained wet period, seepage lines on the gorge walls will be active and persistent.
- East-facing aspect receives only morning sun, which is insufficient to dry the deeply recessed gorge walls — especially given the 100% cloud cover forecast through today and tomorrow.
- The sheltered position that makes the gill pleasant on windy days works against it here: the strong W/SW winds aloft will barely penetrate the gorge, severely limiting evaporative drying.
- Pockets and tufa features characteristic of the glacially-polished limestone will hold standing water for days after seepage stops, creating hidden slip hazards even when surfaces appear dry.
Warnings
2
- Limestone in the gorge will be extremely greasy — even apparently dry-looking surfaces may have a thin moisture film that drastically reduces friction.
- The gorge floor will be very wet and potentially slippery on the 25-minute approach; take care on the walk-in.
Reasoning
The rock is thoroughly wet: 35mm in the last 7 days alone, with rain on most days and today delivering another 9mm at 95% humidity — the gorge walls will be actively running with water.
The sheltered, east-facing gorge receives minimal wind penetration and only limited morning sun; with persistent cloud cover and humidity above 80%, meaningful drying cannot begin until at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with lower humidity occur.
Limestone is not structurally weakened by moisture, but the glacially-polished surfaces become extremely slippery when wet or even damp, posing a serious fall risk on the technical, friction-dependent routes here.
Early June should offer improving conditions, but this has been an exceptionally wet spell; the cool temperatures (averaging just 10.6°C over the last week) further slow evaporation and drying.
Contributing Factors
6
Nearly 80mm over 28 days with 35mm in the last week alone, including multiple days exceeding 9mm, has left the gorge thoroughly saturated.
Humidity has averaged 85% over the past week and is at 95–99% today, preventing any evaporative drying and likely causing condensation on cold rock surfaces.
Today's forecast shows 9mm spread across the entire day with rain in every hour, meaning the rock is being actively wetted right now.
The deeply enclosed gill prevents wind from reaching the rock surfaces, trapping humid air and dramatically slowing any drying process.
Average temperatures of just 10.6°C over the last week reduce evaporation rates and keep the rock cold, promoting condensation in the humid gorge.
From June 14 onwards, the forecast shows zero precipitation with falling humidity (down to 60% by June 16) and warmer temperatures, suggesting a drying window is approaching.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit today or tomorrow — the gorge will be actively wet and dangerously slippery.
- The earliest realistic window is June 15–16 after 2+ dry days and dropping humidity; even then, visually check for seepage before committing to routes.
- When conditions improve, prioritise the overhanging lower sections which shed water fastest, and avoid pocket-heavy slabs and grooves that retain moisture longest.
Do Not Climb
92%
8 days ago
Trollers Gill is currently saturated after a prolonged wet spell — 48mm in the last 7 days with rain on most days including today — and the enclosed gorge will be actively seeping. Conditions are clearly unsuitable for climbing, with further heavy rain forecast tomorrow and lingering showers into June 11th.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge traps moisture and dramatically slows drying compared to open crags; after a week of persistent rain the walls and gorge floor will be thoroughly wet with active seepage lines.
- East-facing aspect means only morning sun reaches the walls, and with 100% cloud cover forecast through most of today and tomorrow, there is negligible solar drying.
- The sheltered position that makes Trollers Gill pleasant in wind also prevents airflow from drying the rock — the gorge acts as a humidity trap in wet spells like this.
- Glacially polished limestone here becomes treacherously slippery when damp; even residual humidity in the gorge can make the smooth, technical walls dangerous.
Warnings
2
- Active seepage and saturated rock make climbing extremely hazardous — glacially polished limestone is treacherously slippery when damp.
- The gorge floor will be wet and muddy; the approach path may also be slippery after prolonged rain.
Reasoning
The rock is thoroughly wet: 48mm of rain in the past 7 days with precipitation on 6 of those 7 days, plus 9.3mm today, means the gorge walls are saturated with active seepage from pockets and cracks.
Virtually no drying has occurred — the sheltered, east-facing gorge has had minimal sun exposure under persistent cloud cover, humidity averaging 85%, and continuous re-wetting preventing any meaningful dry-out.
Limestone does not suffer structural weakening from moisture, but the smooth glacially polished surfaces lose friction dramatically when damp, creating a serious slip hazard on the technical routes here.
Early June should offer improving conditions, but this spell of cool, wet Atlantic weather with temperatures well below seasonal averages (11–14°C) has kept the gorge in persistently damp, unfavourable conditions.
Contributing Factors
7
48mm in the last 7 days across 6 rain days, with a further 9.3mm today, has thoroughly saturated the gorge.
The narrow gorge retains humidity and seepage far longer than open faces, amplifying the effect of the recent wet spell.
Average humidity of 85% over the past week with today at 83% prevents evaporative drying and keeps limestone greasy.
Temperatures averaging just 11.4°C over the past week significantly slow any drying process.
14.1mm forecast tomorrow and 4.8mm on June 11th will re-wet the crag before any drying can begin.
Despite moderate-to-strong winds regionally, the sheltered gorge receives little airflow to aid drying.
East-facing walls receive only morning sun, and persistent cloud cover has blocked even that over recent days.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Trollers Gill until at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with dropping humidity have passed — realistically June 14th at the earliest.
- If visiting the Yorkshire Dales this week, consider an open, south-facing limestone venue with better drying potential, but check conditions on arrival.
- Monitor humidity forecasts closely: the gorge needs humidity to drop below 75% and ideally into the 60s for reliable friction on the polished limestone.
Do Not Climb
90%
9 days ago
Trollers Gill has received nearly 50mm of rain in the past 7 days, with significant rain today and more forecast tomorrow — the enclosed gorge will be thoroughly saturated and seeping. Even the drier afternoon window today is insufficient for the gorge to dry out after this prolonged wet spell.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge traps moisture and restricts airflow, meaning it will take significantly longer to dry than the weather data alone might suggest — expect seepage lines and damp pockets for days after heavy rain.
- The east-facing aspect only catches morning sun, which is largely negated by 100% cloud cover during the current wet spell; afternoon sun does not reach the gorge walls.
- The gorge floor will remain wet and muddy for an extended period given 48.5mm in the past week, making approach and belaying positions unpleasant and potentially hazardous.
- Overhanging lower sections may appear dry on the surface but with humidity consistently above 80% the limestone will be greasy and friction-poor.
Warnings
3
- The glacially polished limestone in Trollers Gill becomes extremely slippery when damp — falls on technical sport routes are a serious risk.
- The gorge floor will be wet and muddy; take care on the approach and at belay stances.
- Do not be deceived by overhanging walls appearing dry on the surface — high ambient humidity means friction will be very poor throughout the gorge.
Reasoning
With 48.5mm in the last 7 days including 11.5mm today, the gorge walls will be thoroughly wet with active seepage from pockets and cracks throughout.
The sheltered, enclosed gorge with east-only aspect and persistent high humidity (85% average over 7 days) will dry extremely slowly — multiple consecutive dry, low-humidity days are needed before conditions improve.
Limestone does not suffer structural weakening when wet, but the glacially polished surfaces become exceptionally slippery, and saturated pockets provide no friction for technical climbing.
Early June should offer improving conditions, but the current unsettled pattern with cool temperatures (12°C average) and high humidity is prolonging the wet spell and hindering any drying.
Contributing Factors
6
Nearly 50mm in the past 7 days with rain on most days creates saturated conditions throughout the enclosed gorge.
11.5mm forecast today with heavy rain through the morning means the rock is actively wet right now.
Average humidity of 85% over the past week prevents effective drying and keeps limestone surfaces greasy even where not directly wet.
The narrow gorge traps humid air and blocks wind-assisted drying, extending drying times well beyond what open crags would need.
Average temps around 12°C provide minimal evaporative drying compared to warmer summer conditions.
14.6mm forecast for June 9th will re-saturate any surfaces that begin to dry, resetting the drying clock.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Trollers Gill until at least 2–3 consecutive dry days with humidity below 75% have occurred — realistically not before June 13 at the earliest.
- If desperate to climb this week, consider an open, south-facing, wind-exposed limestone crag that will dry much faster than this enclosed gorge.
- Monitor conditions closely from June 13 onwards when the forecast shows a potential dry window, but be prepared to find the gorge still damp on arrival.
Do Not Climb
93%
10 days ago
Trollers Gill is currently saturated after nearly 49mm of rain over the past 7 days with no consecutive dry days, and the enclosed gorge will be actively seeping. The forecast shows continued daily rain through at least June 12, meaning conditions will not improve in the coming days.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge traps moisture and limits airflow, meaning seepage lines on the smooth glacially-polished walls will persist far longer than at an open crag — expect active weeping for days after this prolonged wet spell.
- East-facing aspect receives only morning sun, which is insufficient to dry a sheltered gorge holding this much accumulated moisture, especially with humidity averaging 88% over the past week.
- Pockets and tufa features throughout the gorge will be holding standing water after this sustained rainfall period, and the gorge floor will be very wet and potentially slippery on approach.
- The overhanging lower sections may appear surface-dry first but will still have compromised friction in these high-humidity conditions — limestone becomes dangerously greasy above ~80% humidity.
Warnings
2
- Active seepage and standing water in pockets make the technical, friction-dependent climbing here extremely dangerous — a slip on greasy polished limestone at this crag could result in serious injury.
- The gorge floor will be wet and slippery; take care on the approach and consider the walk-out if conditions deteriorate further.
Reasoning
With 48.9mm of rain in the past 7 days, zero consecutive dry days, and today receiving another 3.2mm, the rock throughout the gorge will be thoroughly wet with active seepage.
The sheltered, enclosed gorge severely limits wind penetration despite moderate winds outside, and the east-only aspect provides minimal solar drying — this site needs multiple consecutive dry, low-humidity days to recover from this level of saturation.
Limestone is not structurally weakened by moisture, but the glacially-polished surfaces become extremely slippery when damp, creating a serious fall hazard on the technical, blank-wall climbing here.
Early June should offer good conditions but this unsettled spell with cool temperatures (averaging 12.4°C) and very high humidity (88%) is preventing any meaningful drying between rain events.
Contributing Factors
6
Nearly 49mm of rain over the past 7 days with rain on 6 of those 7 days has thoroughly saturated the gorge and its seepage lines.
Average humidity of 88% over the past week prevents evaporative drying and makes limestone surfaces greasy even where not directly wet.
The sheltered gorge traps humid air and blocks wind, dramatically slowing any drying that might otherwise occur between showers.
Rain is forecast every day from June 8–12 (totalling ~22mm), preventing any recovery window for drying.
Temperatures averaging only 12.4°C reduce evaporation rates, compounding the humidity and shelter problems.
The east-facing walls receive only morning sun, which is inadequate to drive meaningful drying in these conditions.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Trollers Gill until there have been at least 3–4 consecutive dry days with humidity below 75% — monitor forecasts beyond June 13 for a potential window.
- If desperate to climb this week, consider an open, south-facing, wind-exposed limestone venue instead, which will dry far faster than this enclosed gorge.
- Check UKClimbing or local forums for condition reports before making the 25-minute walk-in, as the gorge can look deceptively dry at the entrance while seeping deeper inside.
Do Not Climb
92%
11 days ago
Trollers Gill is currently saturated after over 50mm of rain in the past week, with today adding another 8.6mm. The enclosed gorge will be actively seeping, extremely greasy, and entirely unsuitable for climbing, with no dry spell forecast to allow meaningful drying.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The enclosed gorge acts as a moisture trap — with 52mm in the last 7 days and 90%+ humidity, seepage lines on the glacially polished walls will be actively running and pockets will be holding water.
- East-facing aspect means walls only receive weak morning sun, which is insufficient to dry the gorge interior when humidity remains above 85%.
- The sheltered nature of the gill prevents wind from assisting evaporation, so even the moderate westerly winds forecast will barely penetrate the gorge.
- The gorge floor will be wet and potentially slippery on the 25-minute walk-in; stream levels may be elevated after sustained rainfall.
Warnings
3
- Limestone in the gorge will be extremely greasy — even surfaces that appear dry can have a thin moisture film causing sudden, unexpected slips.
- The gorge floor and approach path will be wet and potentially muddy; stream levels may be elevated after 50mm+ of recent rain.
- Do not rely on overhanging sections being dry — at 90%+ humidity, condensation makes even sheltered overhangs slippery.
Reasoning
The rock is almost certainly wet throughout — 52mm in the past week culminating in 14.4mm on June 4th and 8.6mm today, with zero consecutive dry days and average humidity of 88%, means the limestone surfaces will be actively wet and seeping.
With the gorge sheltered from wind, east-facing (morning sun only), and humidity consistently above 85%, there has been essentially no meaningful drying between rain events over the past week.
Limestone does not suffer structural weakening when wet, but the glacially polished surfaces become dangerously slippery with minimal moisture, making falls highly likely.
Early June should be approaching prime season, but this prolonged wet spell with cool temperatures (averaging 12.4°C) and very high humidity is behaving more like autumn conditions.
Contributing Factors
6
Over 52mm in the past 7 days across multiple events with no dry window, saturating the gorge walls and features.
Average humidity of 88% over the past week and 90% today prevents any surface evaporation and keeps limestone dangerously greasy.
The narrow gorge prevents wind penetration and traps humid air, dramatically slowing drying compared to open crags.
Further rain is forecast every day through June 11th, including 15.2mm on June 8th, preventing any drying window from developing.
East-facing walls in a narrow gorge receive only weak morning sun, insufficient to drive evaporation in these humidity levels.
Temperatures averaging just 12.4°C reduce evaporation rates and contribute to persistent dampness.
Recommendations
3
- Do not visit Trollers Gill until there has been at least 3–4 consecutive dry days with humidity dropping below 70%.
- Consider open, south-facing limestone venues in the Dales instead, which will dry significantly faster if a brief dry window appears.
- Monitor conditions closely — the earliest realistic window could be around June 12th onward if the forecast dries out, but the gorge will need extra time beyond open crags.
Climbing Outlook