UKC

Hi,

I have just moved near to Bristol, are there any online topo's or guide books for bouldering in this area?
Any recommendations on bouldering areas would be good.

Thanks

In reply to that bouldering guy:

I'm afraid Bristol isn't a great area for bouldering. That said, bouldering isn't really my main focus so I haven't tried that hard to find out what's around. Try http://esotericbouldering.com/ for a start.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

As above, the options locally are pretty limited, but you're only an hour and a half from Dartmoor which has tons of quality bouldering. Check out the online guides at http://javu.co.uk/.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

A few thoughts.
Avon Gorge (in CC guide) - the New Quarry, Harvey's Wall, The Gift from the Gods boulder (never actually been to this one mind!), Gollum's cave (never been to this one either and don't intend to).
Frome Valley - Ringroad Boulders as on Nick's link below - worth a visit.
Some stuff around Bath.
Mendips bouldering info will no doubt come from Pylon King!

Or.....go to Dartmoor!

In reply to Bobling:

Good call! I went there once. Not an experience worth repeating. I heard that someone lit a fire underneath it about a year ago (trying to burn it down?) and covered everything in soot.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

As said the bouldering around here is pretty thin.

Donkey slide wall has a decent traverse, Gift from above boulder is near that but has lost some problems due to mudslide piling up behind it. Red Rocks (aka Merchant venturers compost corner) has some short simple problems but is generally covered in shards of glass, and Ring Roads alright but get hold of the online guide as most of the problems there are eliminates. Ring roads prob got the best problems in the area there.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

As mentioned above it's a bit thin on the ground, but there's good stuff scattered about.

Bits and pieces at Avon.
Gollums cave.
Ring road boulders.
Snuff mills.

A bit further afield you've got:
Ladye Bay
Sand point
Crosscombe
Correges Cumb
Cheddar (tombstone is particularly good)
Bibbins cave
Huntsham

If you're prepared for a bit of esoterica then there's plenty to keep you busy. If you're expecting a slice of fontainebleau then you will be sorely disappointed.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

There was a chap on here a while back who'd developed some stuff in/near Eastville Park too.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

http://bathbouldering.wikispaces.com/ You migth find this useful.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

Thanks all for the tips!

In reply to that bouldering guy:

I'm not sure if I missed the main sector/boulder. But the ring road "boulders" (more micro walls) were staggeringly underwhelming

In reply to Kemics:


They are to be totally honest!

Theres pretty much the one boulder and the short vert wall. One nice problem on each.

In reply to Steve nevers:

and a steep roofy bit further on. They aren't font but when there's nowt else they're worth a play.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

Gollums cave is the most obvious one that is conveniently located in the city, however its highly eliminate and if your vaccines aren't up to date you risk infection. That said, I spent many a good hour there last summer and it will get you strong if you are strong enough for steep, crimpy limestone bouldering on the tougher end of the spectrum.

If you are willing to go a bit further afield, Huntsham is brilliant for bouldering and highballing/soloing, Biblins I hear is pretty good though I haven't been there and I get the feeling it is a fairly average limestone cave (no scabby mattress or corpses though, so that alone puts it ahead of Gollums)

In reply to that bouldering guy:

I'd fully agree with the Huntsham's recommendations, some really good stuff out there. Useful original topo link here http://esotericbouldering.com/wales/huntsman.pdf

Also Ladye Bay has some really good bouldering with some of the harder problems being well worth the 30-40mins drive from Bristol. James Squire's topo blog gives a good round-up of the place but more's been added since, UKC logbook gives good descriptions of the rest http://www.beastlysquirrelblog.com/#/ladye-bay/4569514566

Winterbourne Down is OK for a bit of highball fun if you've got a handful of mats and spotters. Wikitopo here http://www.wikitopo.com/crag.php?cragId=298

Ring road is also cool for some eliminate based entertainment, think someone has already linked the Esoteric Bouldering topo.

I'd avoid Gollums cave like the plague unless you'd like to get the plague. Depending on how hard you like to boulder there's a cool problem at the left end of New Quarry in the gorge - YouTube Bitter and Twisted traverse to see someone far stronger than me climb it.

Hope some of that helps. I'm usually out at one or another place during the week or doing sport down cheddar or something but if you want to head out bouldering give me a shout.

In reply to that bouldering guy:

And btw if you head to anywhere along the Frome valley (Ring road, Eastville, Winterbourne) it is mosquito central right now, so take some powerful repellent or stay away. Me and a mate got bitten to hell last week at Ring Road.