Apparently going to be a massive extension to Calshot winter 2006/07 - adding another 500m2, roughly doubling it in size.
good facilities and a freindly atmosphere make calshot a nice wall to visit, with good oppertunitys to develop varied climbing techniques and progress through the grades. good courses are also a feature of calshot which come in useful when progressing to outdoors, not to mension help from the staff (if you are freindly with them)
Very nice wall, with large variety of routes and very nice overanging walls. Only problem, sometimes is far too crowded. It would be worth to add some climbing surface! Other problem, there is a bit too many routes with toprope in place. I agree there should be a few easy top rope for the beginners, but then real climbing is only when you lead!
Recently some very nice bouldering walls have been added. It would be worth to trace some routes numbering the holds so to exploit better the holds in place and make the whole thing more challenging.
Scott Robinson
5 Jun, 2003
A great wall. Good bouldering and plenty of climbs from beginner to experienced (check out the massively overhanging lead wall...). A bit out of the way, but the flip side of that is that the situation is unique and glorious on a sunny day - check out the aerial photos on display! Worth making the effort to get down there. I've found the staff to be helpful and generally nice.
On the down-side however, the staff do tend to be over-zealous in enforcing what you can/can't do on the walls. When this relates to obvious health & safety I have no problem, but when it is more akin to climbing styles, or things that you are perfectly allowed to do at other walls (eg placing protection whilst practising leading), then I think it is a bit much.
After about 5 years of enjoyable climbing at Calshott, they also recently introduced annual renewal of membership.
All in all, I rarely make the journey any more - a shame really as the walls are pretty damned good!
Calshot also has a fantastic cafr/bar to chill ou in after your fingers have finnaly fallen of!