Great Wanney is clearly unsafe for climbing today. The crag has received 126mm of rain over the past 28 days with virtually no meaningful dry spell, today itself has 1mm of precipitation, and the prolonged winter saturation means the porous Fell Sandstone will be deeply waterlogged despite any surface appearance.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
How accurate is this verdict?
Climbing Outlook
Site Details
Probably the most spectacular sandstone crag in Northumberland, located on high open moorland between Knowesgate and East Woodburn in the Ridsdale area. The escarpment stands 10–20m tall with around 87 routes spanning VDiff to E8 — many test their grade, with the VDiffs and Severes notably serious. Predominantly a trad venue with some bouldering. The exposed moorland setting at around 280m gives the crag a dramatic, remote character with panoramic views across Northumberland. Dries reasonably in a blow but the porous Fell Sandstone must not be climbed when wet. Park at the Fourlaws Forestry Commission gate on the Knowesgate–Ridsdale road; 20–30 min walk-in, boggy in places. CRoW open access land.
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Wind Exposure
- Exposed
- Altitude
- 280m
- Climbing
- Trad Bouldering
- Aspects
- S SW
Site Data
- Name
- Great Wanney
- County
- Northumberland
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Climbing Types
- Trad, Bouldering
- Aspects
- S, SW
- Wind Exposure
- Exposed
- Altitude
- 280m
- Latitude
- 55.144
- Longitude
- -2.109
- Condition Notes
- —
- ID
- b524c319-45d6-4c41-bb17-257f66fa6a71
Community
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