Back Bowden Doors is currently unsafe to climb. The crag has experienced a prolonged wet period with over 54mm of rain in the last 28 days, including significant rainfall on June 1–4 (35.3mm) and repeated light-to-moderate showers since, with the most recent rain falling today (1.4mm) and yesterday (0.1mm); the sheltered valley position and high humidity (~79% average over the last week) mean the porous Fell Sandstone will be thoroughly saturated internally despite any surface drying.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
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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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