Condition Analysis
AI-powered assessment using site data and 14-day weather history
Berryhill has had five consecutive dry days following light rain (4.8mm on Aug 9), with warm temperatures reaching up to 28.8°C and moderate winds — well exceeding the minimum drying period for Fell Sandstone. The south aspect and recent warm spell provide high confidence that the rock is thoroughly dry today and tomorrow.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The heavy 39.5mm event on July 26 and 16.9mm on Aug 4 contributed to significant cumulative moisture loading over recent weeks (69.5mm in 28 days), but the five dry days since the last light rain on Aug 9, combined with warm temperatures and good winds, should have cleared residual moisture from the south-facing rock.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls may dry at different rates — boulders with north-facing sides or ground-level dampness could retain moisture longer than the main south-facing crag.
- Access requires asking permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing; parking is on the farm lane approximately 50m past the cottages — this is not CRoW land and access depends on climber goodwill.
- Base sections of the main crag and any areas near vegetation or soil runoff may still harbour residual dampness from the wet July; check these zones by touch before committing.
Reasoning
The last meaningful rain was 4.8mm on Aug 9, five days ago, following which the rock has benefited from a sustained warm and breezy drying window including two days exceeding 27°C with moderate humidity around 63–65%.
Five consecutive dry days with temperatures of 18–29°C, humidity averaging 70%, moderate SW/S winds (15–19 km/h), and full south-facing solar exposure provide excellent drying conditions that comfortably exceed the 48-hour guideline for light rain on porous sandstone.
With five days of thorough drying after only 4.8mm of rain, internal moisture should be well below levels that cause significant strength reduction, and freeze-thaw is not a concern in mid-August.
Mid-summer conditions with long daylight hours, warm temperatures, and good solar angle on this south-facing crag provide near-optimal drying — this is the best time of year for Fell Sandstone.
Contributing Factors
6
No rain since 4.8mm on Aug 9, providing well over the 48-hour minimum drying period for light rain.
Temperatures reached 27.8°C and 28.8°C on Aug 12–13 with low humidity (~63%), driving rapid evaporation on the south-facing aspect.
Winds of 15–22 km/h through the drying period aid surface moisture removal on this partially exposed crag.
Full south aspect receives maximum solar radiation throughout the day, significantly accelerating drying compared to north-facing Fell Sandstone crags.
69.5mm over 28 days is notable, but the most recent heavy event (16.9mm on Aug 4) was ten days ago with substantial drying since, so deep saturation risk is low.
Moderate rain (5.3mm and 4.9mm) is forecast for Aug 17–18, which will reset drying clocks and likely make conditions unsuitable for several days.
Recommendations
3
- Climb today or tomorrow (Aug 14–15) for the best window before forecast rain arrives mid-week.
- Check base sections and any north-facing boulder faces by touch before climbing — these areas dry slowest.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing; access is permissive and depends on maintaining good relations with the landowner.
Previous Analyses
Likely Safe to Climb
88%
2 days ago
Berryhill has had four consecutive dry days since the last rain (4.8mm on August 9), with warm temperatures peaking at 29°C today and moderate winds — comfortably exceeding the 48-hour minimum drying guideline for light-to-moderate rain on a south-facing crag. Conditions are genuinely dry and suitable for climbing today.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Berryhill is on private land — you must ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing, and park on the farm lane approximately 50m past the cottages; failure to do so risks losing access for everyone.
- The heavy 39.5mm event on July 26 and 16.9mm on August 4 mean deeper rock may have retained some residual moisture, though 4+ dry days with warm south-facing conditions and wind should have cleared the more recent lighter rain.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls may dry at different rates to the main crag — boulders with all-round exposure dry fastest while any north-facing or shaded sections of the approach walls may retain dampness longer.
- The base of the main crag is the last area to dry due to downward drainage — check for dampness at the crag foot as a field indicator of internal moisture before committing to routes.
Reasoning
The last meaningful rain was 4.8mm on August 9, followed by four full dry days with warm temperatures (18–29°C) and moderate SW winds, which on a south-facing crag at 90m altitude is more than adequate drying time for that amount of precipitation.
South aspect receives strong solar radiation in summer, and sustained winds of 15–24 km/h from the SW have been moving moist air off the rock face efficiently; four days of these conditions comfortably exceeds the 24–48 hour guideline for light rain.
With four dry days and warm temperatures, internal moisture levels should have dropped well below the threshold where compressive strength loss or grain loosening is a concern.
Mid-August is peak drying season with long days, warm temperatures, and strong solar angles — conditions are as favourable as they get for Fell Sandstone.
Contributing Factors
6
No rain since 4.8mm on August 9 gives four full drying days, comfortably exceeding the 48-hour minimum for light-moderate rain.
Temperatures have risen from 18°C to 29°C over the drying period, strongly accelerating evaporation from the porous sandstone.
The south aspect receives maximum solar radiation in summer, making Berryhill one of the fastest-drying Fell Sandstone venues.
Winds of 15–24 km/h over recent days have aided evaporation by moving humid air away from the rock surface.
69.5mm over 28 days includes heavy events on July 26 (39.5mm) and August 4 (16.9mm), but sufficient drying time has elapsed since both.
Light rain is forecast from August 16 onwards (0.6mm, 1.7mm, 0.4mm), which will interrupt the current dry spell within a few days.
Recommendations
3
- Climb today or tomorrow for the best conditions — light rain returns from August 16.
- Check the base of the main crag for dampness before climbing as a quick field test of internal moisture state.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing — access is permissive and depends on good relations with the landowner.
Marginal — Assess Conditions
72%
3 days ago
Three full dry days since the last significant rain (4.8mm on Aug 9), with warm temperatures and moderate wind on a south-facing crag, suggest the rock is likely dry — but the heavy 16.9mm event on Aug 4 and the generally wet recent pattern (69.5mm in 28 days) mean some internal moisture could linger in lower or sheltered sections. Climbers should visually and physically assess the rock on arrival before committing.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Berryhill's south aspect and relatively low altitude (90m) give it above-average drying potential for Fell Sandstone, meaning 3 dry days with good temps should handle the 4.8mm from Aug 9 — but the earlier 16.9mm (Aug 4) and 39.5mm (Jul 26) may still contribute residual deep moisture.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls may dry at different rates to the main crag — boulders with better all-round air circulation often dry faster, while sheltered approach walls may retain dampness longer.
- Access is on private land: you must ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing, and park on the farm lane ~50m past the cottages — failure to do so could jeopardise access for everyone.
- The base of the main crag and any north-facing or shaded sections (if present behind the main face) will be the last areas to dry; check the ground at the crag base as a moisture indicator.
Warnings
2
- Do not climb if the rock feels cool or clammy to the touch, even if it appears visually dry — Fell Sandstone loses significant strength while still looking surface-dry.
- Rain is forecast from Aug 16 onwards; conditions will deteriorate and a further extended drying period will be needed after that.
Reasoning
The last meaningful rain was 4.8mm on Aug 9, three days ago, preceded by a wetter spell including 16.9mm on Aug 4 and 3.6mm on Aug 6 — surface drying should be largely complete but deeper pore saturation from the cumulative 69.5mm over 28 days may persist in some areas.
Three dry days with temperatures reaching 19–26°C, humidity dropping to 65–70%, and moderate SW/S winds on a south-facing aspect provide good drying conditions that should handle the most recent light rain, though the heavier earlier events extend the internal drying timeline.
The risk of hold breakage is low if the surface is genuinely dry, but any residual internal moisture from the cumulative wet period could weaken iron-oxide cemented holds — a tactile check is advisable before pulling on small features.
Mid-summer conditions are favourable with long days, warm temperatures, and no freeze-thaw concern; this is near the optimal window for Fell Sandstone climbing.
Contributing Factors
6
No measurable rain since Aug 9 (4.8mm), giving 3 full days of drying — meeting the minimum community guideline for light-to-moderate rain on porous rock.
South-facing aspect with temperatures of 19–26°C and dropping humidity (65% today) provide strong evaporative drying conditions.
Sustained winds of 15–24 km/h from SW/S over the drying period help move moist air away from the rock surface.
69.5mm over 28 days including a 39.5mm deluge on Jul 26 and 16.9mm on Aug 4 means the rock has been repeatedly saturated, potentially leaving deeper internal moisture.
Average humidity of 74% over the last 7 days is not ideal for rapid drying, though today's afternoon drop to 43–46% is very helpful.
Clear skies with 26°C, humidity down to 43%, and light wind create an excellent final drying window through the afternoon.
Recommendations
3
- Visit in the afternoon when humidity is lowest (43–46%) and solar heating has maximised surface drying — check the ground at the crag base and feel the rock before pulling on.
- Focus on the main south-facing crag and exposed boulders which will have dried best; avoid any sheltered or recessed sections that may retain moisture.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing and park considerately on the farm lane.
Marginal — Assess Conditions
62%
5 days ago
The last significant rain was 4.8mm on August 9th, with only one full dry day since; however, the south aspect and moderate wind have aided drying. The recent pattern of repeated wetting events (16.9mm on Aug 4, 3.6mm on Aug 6, 4.8mm on Aug 9) means the rock may still hold internal moisture despite appearing surface-dry, so a careful on-site assessment is essential before committing to climb.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The repeated wetting cycle over the past week (Aug 4, 6, and 9) means the sandstone has not had a sustained dry-out period, and cumulative internal moisture may be higher than any single rain event would suggest.
- The south-facing aspect at Berryhill is a significant advantage — direct solar radiation through summer afternoons accelerates surface and near-surface drying considerably.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls will dry faster than the main crag due to better all-round air circulation, so these may be climbable before sheltered sections of the main face.
- Access is on private land — climbers must ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing; failure to do so risks losing access for everyone.
Warnings
2
- Do not climb on any section that feels cool or damp to the touch — Fell Sandstone loses significant strength at very low moisture levels and surface-dry rock can still be dangerously wet internally.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing — access is permissive and depends on maintaining good relations with the landowner.
Reasoning
The 4.8mm rain on August 9th fell only yesterday, and the cumulative effect of three rain events in the past week (16.9mm on Aug 4, 3.6mm on Aug 6, 4.8mm on Aug 9) means the rock's internal moisture is likely elevated despite only moderate individual totals.
One full dry day with south aspect, moderate SW wind (~19 km/h average), and summer temperatures around 17–19°C provides reasonable surface drying, but the standard 48-hour minimum guideline for Fell Sandstone after moderate rain has not yet been met.
With only one dry day since the last rain and repeated wetting events keeping internal moisture elevated, there is a moderate risk of weakened holds — particularly on lower sections and any seepage-prone areas of the main crag.
Mid-summer conditions with temperatures around 17–22°C and moderate humidity (70–80%) are generally favourable for drying, though the recent week has been cooler and more humid than ideal.
Contributing Factors
7
4.8mm fell on August 9th — only one full dry day has elapsed, which is below the recommended 48-hour minimum drying window for Fell Sandstone.
Three rain events in the past week (16.9mm Aug 4, 3.6mm Aug 6, 4.8mm Aug 9) have kept internal moisture elevated without a sustained dry-out period.
The south-facing orientation receives strong summer solar radiation, significantly accelerating surface and near-surface evaporation.
Winds of 11–24 km/h from the SW/W over the past two days help move moist air away from the rock surface, aiding drying.
Temperatures of 17–19°C provide reasonable evaporative potential, though not exceptional for August.
Average humidity around 77% over the past week limits evaporative efficiency compared to drier conditions.
No rain is forecast through August 13th with warming temperatures reaching nearly 30°C, which will greatly improve drying conditions over the next few days.
Recommendations
3
- If visiting today, perform a thorough touch-test on holds at multiple heights — if any dampness is detected, especially on lower sections, do not climb and return tomorrow.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls are likely to dry fastest; prioritise these over the main crag if conditions appear borderline.
- Tomorrow (Aug 11) will mark two full dry days with improving conditions — this is the safer choice for a visit, particularly with the warming, drier weather forecast.
Do Not Climb
70%
5 days ago
Today saw 4.1mm of rain on top of a notably wet recent period (16.9mm on Aug 4, 3.6mm on Aug 6), meaning the rock has had zero consecutive dry days and is almost certainly holding significant internal moisture. Despite the favourable south aspect, the rock needs at least 48 hours of dry weather before climbing should be considered.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Berryhill is on private land — climbers must ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing, and failure to do so risks losing access for everyone.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls may dry at different rates to the main crag; boulders with all-round exposure may dry faster than the sheltered main wall.
- The recent spell has been notably unsettled with 25.5mm in the last 7 days alone, meaning the porous Fell Sandstone is likely deeply saturated despite any surface drying between showers.
- The NE wind pattern earlier in July has shifted to prevailing SW/W winds, which blow more directly onto the south-facing aspect and may help surface drying but also brought the recent rain.
Warnings
2
- Fell Sandstone loses up to 50% of its compressive strength when wet — climbing on damp rock risks permanent hold breakage and irreversible crag damage.
- The surface may appear dry while the interior remains saturated; do not rely on visual inspection alone without adequate drying time.
Reasoning
With 4.1mm of rain today, 3.6mm on Aug 6, and a major 16.9mm event on Aug 4 — all within the last 5 days — the porous Fell Sandstone is almost certainly saturated internally despite any brief surface drying between showers.
There have been zero consecutive dry days as of today; the south aspect and moderate winds (18–22 km/h SW) will help surface evaporation once dry weather begins, but the repeated wetting cycles mean deep moisture will take at least 48–72 hours of dry weather to clear.
The cumulative moisture loading from multiple rain events over the past two weeks (68.8mm in 28 days) means compressive strength is significantly reduced, and iron oxide holds are at elevated risk of breakage.
Summer temperatures (15–21°C) and moderate humidity (70–83%) provide reasonable drying conditions once rain stops, but the current unsettled pattern has prevented the sustained dry spells needed for full recovery.
Contributing Factors
6
Today's 4.1mm of precipitation resets the drying clock entirely, leaving zero consecutive dry days.
16.9mm on Aug 4 and 3.6mm on Aug 6 mean the rock has been repeatedly re-wetted before it could dry from previous events.
Average humidity of 79% over the last 7 days significantly slows evaporation and drying.
The south-facing orientation receives good solar radiation in summer, which will accelerate surface drying once rain stops.
Partial wind exposure with forecast winds of 12–22 km/h will assist moisture removal from the rock surface.
Forecast temperatures of 17–26°C over the next few days are warm enough to support reasonable evaporation rates.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb today or tomorrow — the rock needs at least 48 hours of dry weather after today's rain before conditions should be assessed.
- Tuesday Aug 11 is the earliest realistic window if no further rain falls; visually inspect the rock and check the ground at the base of the crag is sandy-dry before committing.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing — park on the farm lane approximately 50m past the cottages.
Do Not Climb
40%
6 days ago
Heavy rain on August 4th (16.9mm) followed by further rain on August 6th (3.6mm) means the rock has not had sufficient continuous drying time. Although today (August 8th) shows only a trace of rain and conditions are improving, the Fell Sandstone requires at least 48–72 hours of genuinely dry weather after this level of rainfall, and that threshold has not yet been met.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The 16.9mm event on August 4th would have deeply saturated the porous Fell Sandstone, and the follow-up 3.6mm on August 6th reset the drying clock before internal moisture could fully dissipate.
- Berryhill's south aspect and partial wind exposure are favourable for drying, but the recent sequence of wet days (21.5mm in the last 7 days) means even the best-drying sections may retain internal moisture.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls may dry at different rates from the main crag — boulders with full sun exposure on all sides may dry faster, while sheltered alcoves or base sections of the main crag will lag behind.
- Access requires asking permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing — always stop at the farm first, and park on the lane ~50m past the cottages to maintain the goodwill that secures continued access.
Warnings
2
- Do not climb today — the rock has had insufficient drying time since the 16.9mm event on August 4th and the 3.6mm on August 6th, and surfaces that appear dry may be dangerously weakened internally.
- Fell Sandstone hold breakage when wet causes permanent, irreversible damage to routes — no climb is worth that cost.
Reasoning
The 16.9mm rain on August 4th would have saturated the sandstone well beyond the critical 1% threshold, and the 3.6mm on August 6th re-wetted surfaces before internal drying could complete, meaning the rock almost certainly retains significant internal moisture despite only ~1.5 dry days since the last meaningful rain.
Since the last significant rain (3.6mm on August 6th), there has been roughly 1.5 days of drying with moderate SW winds (24–35 km/h) and the favourable south aspect, but this falls short of the minimum 48-hour guideline for moderate rain on porous sandstone, especially given the preceding heavy saturation event.
Internal moisture from the recent rain sequence creates a real risk of hold breakage on Fell Sandstone's iron-oxide cemented small holds, and the surface may appear dry while the interior remains dangerously weakened.
Mid-summer temperatures (~15–21°C) and moderate winds are helpful for drying, but humidity averaging 77% over the last week slows evaporation rates and extends the drying period needed.
Contributing Factors
6
16.9mm on August 4th deeply saturated the sandstone, followed by 3.6mm on August 6th that reset the drying clock before recovery.
Only ~1.5 genuinely dry days since the last 3.6mm event on August 6th, well short of the 48-hour minimum for porous sandstone.
South-facing aspect with moderate SW/W winds (20–35 km/h) provides above-average drying conditions for Fell Sandstone.
Daytime highs of 17–21°C support reasonable evaporation rates, though not exceptional.
Average humidity of 77% over the past week slows evaporative drying and may leave the rock wetter than temperature and wind alone would suggest.
65.4mm over the last 28 days indicates a generally wet period, meaning background moisture levels in the sandstone are likely elevated.
Recommendations
3
- Wait at least until August 10th before visiting, allowing two full dry days after the forecast 1.3mm on August 9th to pass.
- If visiting from August 11th onwards, perform the ground-moisture test at the crag base — if the soil is not sandy-dry, the rock is still too wet internally.
- Always ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing and park considerately on the farm lane past the cottages.
Do Not Climb
35%
7 days ago
Berryhill received 16.9mm of rain on August 4th and a further 3.6mm on August 6th, with only one dry day between and today showing trace precipitation. Despite the south aspect and moderate wind, insufficient drying time has elapsed since the last significant rain — the rock is very likely still holding internal moisture.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The south-facing aspect and partial wind exposure at Berryhill provide above-average drying potential for Fell Sandstone, but the recent rain sequence (16.9mm on Aug 4, 3.6mm on Aug 6) means any drying progress was reset repeatedly.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls may dry faster than the main crag due to better air circulation on all sides, but the main crag's lower sections will retain moisture longest.
- Access is on private land — climbers must ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing, and parking is on the farm lane ~50m past the cottages; failure to ask risks losing access for everyone.
- Humidity has averaged 77% over the past week, which significantly slows evaporation from porous Fell Sandstone even with the favourable south aspect.
Warnings
2
- Do not climb on Fell Sandstone that may still be internally damp — holds can break without warning, causing both injury and permanent route damage.
- The rock surface may appear dry while the interior remains saturated; visual dryness alone is not a reliable indicator of safety.
Reasoning
With 16.9mm on August 4th and 3.6mm on August 6th, the rock has had less than 24 hours of fully dry weather since the last meaningful rain — internal moisture levels are almost certainly still elevated well above safe thresholds.
Only one genuinely dry day (Aug 5, with strong 35 km/h SW wind) separated the two rain events, and today still shows trace precipitation; cumulative drying is far short of the 48–72+ hours needed after heavy rain on porous sandstone.
With the rock likely still retaining significant internal moisture from the recent rain sequence, holds are at risk of grain loosening and breakage — climbing now risks permanent damage to this valued crag.
Mid-summer temperatures (~15–19°C) and reasonable daylight hours are favourable for drying, but the persistently elevated humidity (77% average) is counteracting much of the seasonal advantage.
Contributing Factors
6
16.9mm fell on August 4th followed by 3.6mm on August 6th, delivering substantial moisture to the porous sandstone with minimal drying time between events.
Fewer than 24 consecutive dry hours have elapsed since the 3.6mm rain on August 6th, far short of the 48–72+ hours required after this volume of rain.
Average humidity of 77% over the past week significantly slows evaporation from the rock surface and internal pore network.
The south-facing aspect receives good solar radiation and partial wind exposure (currently ~23 km/h SW) aids surface drying, though this is insufficient to overcome the moisture deficit.
Mid-summer temperatures around 15–19°C support reasonable evaporation rates compared to colder months.
Today's 0.1mm trace rainfall, while negligible in volume, confirms the drying clock has not yet started cleanly.
Recommendations
3
- Wait at least 48 hours of fully dry weather from the last rain event before considering climbing at Berryhill — the earliest realistic window is August 10th if forecasts hold.
- Check the ground at the base of the crag on arrival: if it is not sandy-dry, the rock is still holding internal moisture and should not be climbed.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing — access is permissive and depends on good relations with the landowner.
Do Not Climb
35%
9 days ago
Berryhill received 16.9mm of heavy rain on August 4th followed by light rain today (1.8mm through the early hours), giving zero consecutive dry days. Despite favourable south aspect and moderate wind, the Fell Sandstone needs substantially more drying time — the rock is very likely still holding significant internal moisture from the recent heavy event and ongoing light wetting.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Berryhill is on private land — you must ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing, and failure to do so could result in permanent access loss for all climbers.
- The south-facing aspect and low altitude (90m) are advantageous for drying, but the 16.9mm event on August 4th saturated the rock deeply and only ~1.5 dry days have elapsed since, well short of the 48–72 hour minimum needed.
- The free-standing boulders may dry slightly faster than the main crag due to better air circulation on all sides, but the approach walls in more sheltered positions will retain moisture longer.
- The preceding weeks have been wet (63.5mm in 28 days), meaning the sandstone's background moisture level is elevated — even sections that appear surface-dry may be significantly weakened internally.
Warnings
2
- Do not climb today — the rock has received rain this morning and is certainly wet internally from the 16.9mm event on August 4th.
- Surface-dry appearance does not mean the rock is safe; Fell Sandstone loses significant strength at only 1% saturation and the surface dries long before the interior.
Reasoning
The 16.9mm rainfall on August 4th would have deeply saturated the porous Fell Sandstone, and today's additional 1.8mm of light rain has re-wetted the surface, meaning the rock is almost certainly still holding dangerous levels of internal moisture.
Only one truly dry day (August 5th) has elapsed since the heavy rain, with strong SW winds helping but insufficient to dry the interior; today's early morning rain resets any surface drying progress and the rock needs at least another 48 hours of dry weather from this point.
With likely pore saturation well above the critical threshold, hold breakage risk is high — Fell Sandstone loses up to 50% of compressive strength when wet, and the iron oxide holds climbers depend on are particularly vulnerable.
Summer temperatures around 17–18°C and moderate winds are helpful for drying, but the elevated background moisture from a wet July (63.5mm in 28 days) means the rock is starting from a poor baseline.
Contributing Factors
6
16.9mm of rain two days ago would have deeply penetrated the sandstone well beyond the surface layer.
1.8mm of rain through the early morning hours has re-wetted the rock surface, resetting drying progress to zero consecutive dry days.
63.5mm over the past 28 days — including a 39.5mm event on July 26th — means background moisture levels in the rock are elevated.
The south-facing aspect and moderate-to-strong westerly/south-westerly winds (26–34 km/h forecast) will aid surface evaporation over the coming days.
Temperatures around 17–21°C provide reasonable evaporative potential, though not exceptional.
Humidity is forecast to drop to around 67–70% over the next few days, which is moderately helpful for drying.
Recommendations
3
- Wait at least 48 hours from today — the earliest reasonable assessment window is August 8th, provided no further rain falls.
- Before climbing, check the ground at the base of the crag: if it is damp rather than sandy-dry, the rock is still too wet internally.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before approaching the crag — access depends entirely on the goodwill of the landowner.
Do Not Climb
93%
11 days ago
Berryhill received nearly 10mm of rain today (still falling as of early afternoon) on top of an already wet recent period including 39.5mm on July 26th and 2.3mm on July 28th. The rock will be thoroughly saturated and the forecast offers no meaningful dry window over the next five days, with further rain expected on each of the next four days.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- Berryhill's south aspect normally aids drying, but persistent cloud cover (100% today) and high humidity (~88%) are negating this advantage.
- The heavy 39.5mm event on July 26th likely saturated the rock deeply, and subsequent light rain on July 28th, 31st, August 1st, 3rd, and today's heavy event have prevented any meaningful internal drying.
- Access requires prior permission at Berryhill Farm — do not visit without asking first, as this is a private estate and access depends entirely on goodwill.
- The free-standing boulders and approach walls may dry marginally faster than the main crag due to greater air circulation, but all sections should be considered unsafe after today's rainfall.
Warnings
2
- Climbing on saturated Fell Sandstone risks permanent hold breakage and irreversible crag damage — holds that break off are gone forever.
- The rock surface may appear to dry quickly in any sunny spells but interior saturation will persist for days given the cumulative rainfall.
Reasoning
The rock is currently saturated from 9.7mm of rain today, compounding moisture from repeated light rain events over the past week and the major 39.5mm deluge on July 26th — internal moisture levels will be very high.
Despite the south aspect and moderate wind, there has been no meaningful dry spell since July 26th to allow deep drying; today's heavy rain has reset the clock entirely, and the forecast shows further rain tomorrow (4.7mm) and on subsequent days.
With repeated wetting cycles over the past 10 days and current full saturation, the Fell Sandstone will have lost 30%+ of its compressive strength, making hold breakage and grain loosening a serious risk.
Summer temperatures (~17–22°C) would normally support good drying, but the persistent unsettled weather pattern with repeated rainfall is preventing the rock from drying out between events.
Contributing Factors
6
Approximately 9.7mm of rain has fallen today, with the heaviest bursts between 02:00 and 05:00 and again at 12:00–13:00, thoroughly wetting the rock.
54.7mm over the past 28 days including a 39.5mm event on July 26th means the rock has had no opportunity to dry internally.
Further rain is forecast on each of the next four days (4.7mm, 2.3mm, 0.3mm, 2.7mm, 2.0mm), preventing any sustained drying window.
The south-facing aspect and moderate-to-good wind speeds (17–28 km/h forecast) will help surface drying when rain stops, but cannot overcome repeated re-wetting.
Humidity has averaged 76% over the past week and is 88% today, significantly slowing evaporation rates.
Temperatures around 17–22°C are adequate for drying, though not exceptional for summer.
Recommendations
3
- Do not climb at Berryhill today or in the coming days — the rock is saturated and the forecast offers no adequate drying window.
- Monitor conditions and wait for at least 48–72 hours of continuous dry weather with low humidity before considering a visit.
- If desperate for climbing, consider a non-porous alternative such as a whinstone crag (e.g. Bowden Doors' whinstone sections or Kyloe) which can be climbed when damp without structural damage, though surfaces will still be slippery.
Do Not Climb
88%
12 days ago
Berryhill received 39.5mm of heavy rain on July 26th followed by further showers on the 28th, 29th, 31st, and today (Aug 3rd), with intermittent light rain through this morning; the rock has had no meaningful consecutive dry period to recover. Tomorrow's forecast of 16.2mm will compound the problem, and the next five days show repeated rain with no adequate drying window.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
- The massive 39.5mm deluge on July 26th would have deeply saturated this porous Fell Sandstone, and subsequent showers on the 28th, 31st, 1st, and today have repeatedly re-wetted the rock before it could dry out.
- Berryhill's south aspect and partial wind exposure normally aid drying, but persistent cloud cover (100% today) and high humidity (83% average) are negating these advantages.
- The free-standing boulders may dry slightly faster than the main crag due to greater air circulation, but given the repeated wetting cycle they are unlikely to be in safe condition either.
- Access requires permission from Berryhill Farm — do not drive up without asking first, as this is private land and continued access depends on climber goodwill.
Warnings
3
- Fell Sandstone loses up to 50% of its compressive strength when wet — climbing now risks irreversible hold breakage on this irreplaceable crag.
- The rock surface may appear dry in patches this afternoon but internal saturation from 39.5mm on July 26th plus repeated re-wetting makes this extremely dangerous.
- Tomorrow's forecast of 16.2mm will compound the saturation — do not plan to climb this week.
Reasoning
The rock is almost certainly saturated internally: 39.5mm on July 26th was followed by only one fully dry day before 2.3mm on the 28th, then further light rain on the 29th, 31st, 1st, and today, meaning the sandstone has been repeatedly re-wetted without any sustained drying window.
Despite the south aspect, the prevailing NE-to-E winds of recent days would not directly warm or dry a south-facing crag efficiently, and today's 100% cloud cover and 83% humidity further suppress evaporation — no meaningful drying has occurred.
With the rock likely above 60% pore saturation from cumulative recent rainfall, holds are significantly weakened (potentially 30%+ strength loss) and climbing risks permanent hold breakage on this fragile Fell Sandstone.
Summer temperatures are adequate for drying in principle, but the current unsettled pattern with repeated showers and high humidity is preventing the rock from reaching a safe moisture state.
Contributing Factors
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39.5mm of rain deeply saturated the porous sandstone, requiring 72+ hours of good drying conditions to recover — conditions that have not materialised.
Showers on July 28th (2.3mm), 29th (0.2mm), 31st (0.6mm), August 1st (0.1mm), and today (1.2mm) have prevented any sustained drying period.
Light rain fell through this morning (0.8mm between 06:00–13:00), re-wetting the surface and resetting the drying clock.
Humidity has averaged 75% over the past week with today reaching 83%, severely limiting evaporation rates.
The south-facing aspect would normally aid drying, but 100% cloud cover today and persistent overcast conditions negate the solar radiation benefit.
16.2mm is forecast for August 4th at 92% humidity, which will thoroughly re-saturate any partially dried rock.
Partial wind exposure provides some drying benefit, but at current humidity levels wind alone cannot adequately dry saturated sandstone.
Recommendations
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- Do not climb at Berryhill today or in the coming days — the rock is almost certainly saturated internally and climbing risks permanent hold damage.
- Monitor the forecast beyond August 8th; you will need at least 48–72 hours of dry, warm, breezy weather after the last rain before considering a visit.
- Remember to ask permission at Berryhill Farm before climbing — access is on private land and depends entirely on the farmer's goodwill.
Climbing Outlook