Back Bowden Doors has had only one full dry day since 10mm of rain on August 19th, followed by further showers on the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 25th, and the sheltered valley position with high humidity (89% today, near-saturation overnight) has severely limited drying. With heavy rain forecast from tomorrow (9.7mm, then 15.6mm), conditions are about to deteriorate significantly and the rock cannot be considered reliably dry today.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
How accurate is this verdict?
Climbing Outlook
Site Details
Also known as Colour Heugh, a west-facing Fell Sandstone outcrop in a sheltered valley approximately 5km west of Belford, around 2km north of the main Bowden Doors crag. Part of an SSSI designated as some of the finest exposures of early Dinantian Fell Sandstone in northern England. Offers both single-pitch trad routes (to E8/E9) and a well-developed bouldering circuit characterised by huge overhangs and powerful roof problems. The sheltered valley position and wooded section slow drying compared to the exposed hilltop of Bowden Doors proper — the porous Fell Sandstone must not be climbed when damp. Seasonal bird nesting restrictions may apply.
Condition Notes
Sheltered valley position and wooded section slow drying compared to the exposed hilltop of Bowden Doors proper. The powerful roof problems can weep from above after rain. Bird nesting restrictions may apply seasonally.
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Wind Exposure
- Sheltered
- Altitude
- 170m
- Climbing
- Trad Bouldering
- Aspects
- W
- Problems
- 80
- Routes
- 30
- Boulder Grades
- Font 4 – Font 8A
- Trad Grades
- HS – E9
- Access
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach
- 10 min
Site Data
- Name
- Back Bowden Doors
- County
- Northumberland
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Climbing Types
- Trad, Bouldering
- Aspects
- W
- Wind Exposure
- Sheltered
- Altitude
- 170m
- Latitude
- 55.596
- Longitude
- -1.898
- OS Grid Ref
- —
- Access Type
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach Time
- 10 min
- Problem Count
- 80
- Route Count
- 30
- Boulder Grades
- Font 4 – Font 8A
- Trad Grades
- HS – E9
- Tidal
- No
- Parking Notes
- Park as for Bowden Doors on the B6349 west of Belford.
- Condition Notes
- Sheltered valley position and wooded section slow drying compared to the exposed hilltop of Bowden Doors proper. The powerful roof problems can weep from above after rain. Bird nesting restrictions may apply seasonally.
- ID
- f74b10d9-6e75-44bb-b3d3-3187754375d6
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