UKC

Restricted Access

The BMC has owned part of this popular sport climbing venue since 2005 (routes from Mr Cellulite’s Arete rightwards on the lower tier and from In the Jailhouse rightwards on the upper tier) and BMC land is actively managed for the benefit of climbers, walkers and conservation. Horseshoe varies from good quality, solid rock to significant areas of loose, hollow and blast shattered rock. Visitors should pay close attention at all times in case of loose rock and helmets are highly recommended whilst climbing or belaying.

In 2017, a re-bolting project took place on routes located on BMC owned land at Horseshoe to replace the old bolts and scale loose rock. The project replaced old fixed equipment of various vintage with new stainless steel glue in bolts, rationalised the bolt spacing on sport routes to reduce long runouts and standardised lower offs to double ring lower offs. A new lower off simulator has also been added to the large boulder below The Dust Bunnies on Main Wall to allow new sport climbers to practice re-threading rings before getting on the sharp end

19 routes were unfortunately decommissioned due to unstable or fractured rock which could not be scaled back to a solid state to place new bolts with confidence in their quality and strength. These routes have had their bolts removed and will not be re-equipped – we hope climbers will respect this decision.

Whilst this work has undoubtedly made the crag saferit has not and cannot make it completely 'safe'. This is still a quarried venue with blast damaged rock, subject to ongoing weathering and undoubtedly loose rock will develop again over time, not to mention all the normal hazards associated with climbing outdoors. It should also be noted that the areas of the quarry not owned by the BMC have not been re-equipped and there will still be old bolts which could be widely varying in age and quality. Whether re-equipped or not, assessing the quality of the bolts and rock they are placed in before and as you climb is still an essential part of the climbing experience at Horseshoe, as it is at any other crag.

Seasonal Restrictions

Reason: Nesting Birds

House martins sometimes nest on various routes on Main Wall - please avoid any routes with nests on whilst the birds are in residence.

20m.

Rockfax Description
The juggy wall left of the big corner to an awkward exit. © Rockfax

FA. Dave Williams, Geoff Middlehurst 2002.

Ticklists

Horseshoe Star Quality

Feedback

User Date Notes
Maria772 22 Aug, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: My favourite route of the weekend not rated but I though it was amazing!!
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: My favourite route of the weekend not rated but I though it was amazing!!
Albie 30 May, 2006 Show βeta
βeta: I climbed this under the impression that it was a 5+ and was not dissapointed. Nice steady climbing with a few interesting moves. SO straight forward in fact, that my friends and family all had a go in their trainers and had no real problems. That's a 5+ in anybody's book.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: I climbed this under the impression that it was a 5+ and was not dissapointed. Nice steady climbing with a few interesting moves. SO straight forward in fact, that my friends and family all had a go in their trainers and had no real problems. That's a 5+ in anybody's book.

Logged Ascents

416 users have logged this

Guidebooks for Horseshoe Quarry

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Voting
High 6a+
Mid 6a+
Low 6a+
High 6a
Mid 6a
Low 6a
High 5c
Mid 5c
Low 5c
Votes cast 37
Votes cast 36
Style of Ascent
Lead
Followed
Toproped
Alt Leads
Not Set
Onsighted
Flashed (β)
Dogged
Repeated
Redpoint
Ground Up
DNF
Not Set
Route of Interest
Coral Seas

Grade: 6a ***
(Harpur Hill Quarry)

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