Harrison’s Rocks are owned and managed by the BMC for the benefit of climbers and the general public for recreation on foot. The rocks are well-equipped with bolts for top-roping and as with all southern sandstone crags the rock is very soft meaning leader placed gear cannot be used here as it will damage the rock. The only acceptable styles of climbing are top roping using a well rigged system that will not damage the rock with moving ropes, or if you are confident of your abilities - soloing. A group of volunteers periodically load-test the bolts, but there is no way to guarantee their strength and as with any crag all climbers should make their own assessment of fixed equipment before use.
Birchden Wood (the woodland surrounding Harrisons) is owned by Forestry England and has been dedicated as open access land. The fields to the west of the Rocks are private property. Any trespassing strains the good relations between climbers and our neighbours - if you are in charge of a group please make sure that your party is aware of this. For more information on Birchden Wood and the car park area please visit the Forestry England website.
Isolated Buttress access advice
The large block on the mainland opposite Isolated Buttress which was used to step across the gap has been removed due to it becoming unstable and dangerous. At the Sandstone Open Meeting in May 2015, considerable local opposition was voiced to the idea of construction of a bridge across to the pinnacle (to allow access from above). The Harrison's Rocks Management Group are monitoring the situation to help inform a decision on a long term solution.
In the meantime, please avoid abseiling or lowering off from routes on the Isolated buttress as this will increase wear to the fragile rock.
Various methods can be used to access the pinnacle and setup your ropes including soloing and being belayed across from above but these will be too risky for many climbers. The method which offers the most protection requires a very long length of rigging rope and is described in this short film on BMCTV or below:
To retreat from the pinnacle at the end of the session:
Reason: Other
The very south end of the Rocks is on private land and is fenced off – this covers five climbs, from Holly Tree Chimney to South Boulder - fortunately they are not worthwhile.
Rockfax Description
A better and more popular variation of the original. Loop right around the main crux and then using a small crimp to reach the upper break. Traverse back left and finish as for Woolly Bear. © Rockfax
Southern Sandstone Rockfax Top 50 , Southern Sandstone *** Routes , Sandstone Top 50 , Harrison’s Rocks 3 star routes
User | Date | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Will B.G | 6 Aug, 2022 |
Show βeta
βeta: Foot pop on the first go and sent it straight after :) Pretty steady, compared to a few years ago when couldn’t even do the crux. Lovely blood blister from squeezing the ear hold | βeta? | |
Show beta
βeta: Foot pop on the first go and sent it straight after :) Pretty steady, compared to a few years ago when couldn’t even do the crux. Lovely blood blister from squeezing the ear hold |
||||
Robin Mazinke | 30 Apr, 2021 |
Show βeta
βeta: It's more like Woolly Bear Direct is the one that doesn't exist. The original Wooly Bear went straight up (at I think about 6a), however once a few holds snapped off and made Woolly Bear into about 6b/c the right-hand loop was climbed at 6b and gained the name Woolly Cub. Woolly Bear has always been the direct version. | βeta? | |
Show beta
βeta: It's more like Woolly Bear Direct is the one that doesn't exist. The original Wooly Bear went straight up (at I think about 6a), however once a few holds snapped off and made Woolly Bear into about 6b/c the right-hand loop was climbed at 6b and gained the name Woolly Cub. Woolly Bear has always been the direct version. |
||||
Ian bull | 31 Jan, 2021 |
Show βeta
βeta: This is wooly bear. The above route name does not exist. Wooly bear moves right to crimps. (6b) Wooly bear direct goes strait up. (6c) | βeta? | |
Show beta
βeta: This is wooly bear. The above route name does not exist. Wooly bear moves right to crimps. (6b) Wooly bear direct goes strait up. (6c) |
Please Login to view more details on the logged ascents
Grade: 7a ***
(High Rocks)