UKC

I'm on Gower this coming weekend for a non-climbing event, and we'll be spending Sunday on the Three Cliffs Bay beach.

I was thinking I could maybe do some easy soloing (upto about V.Diff) and wondered what other peoples experiences of soloing there have been, in particular:

- What are the top-outs like?

- Are there any sectors that have soft sandy landings?

(Obviously I won't climb above any beach-goers - or other climbers for that matter!)

https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/three_cliffs_bay-15/traverse_of_th...

There's a good ridge scramble. I don't remember it being particularly loose or tricky, but be careful if people below.

Generally the easier routes have a stepped base of rock so not direct off sand.  I would say be careful of the top outs as there is often very fractured/loose rock above the range of more solid wave washed rock.  Not to put you off but in terms of direct experience: a long time ago (pre mobile phones), I did witness someone who was soling a v diff there falling from pretty much the top of the route after pulling on a loose hold. He bounced down the entire route until he stopped head down in a rock pool at the base.  Luckily we were there to help and he did survive.

Very few 3 Cliff routes have soft landings as it's a 70degree slab, you'll have to jump a long way out to clear the rocks.

Go 100m right as you look inland to Pobbles bay, shorter routes mainly over sand. 

I think 3 Cliffs is fine as a solo venue. As others have said you just need to be careful about not dislodging anything on others below. Pobbles is not that much better in terms of landings and popularity and has the odd loose hold on the central VD line. On the big cave round to the left of Pobbles there is a worthwhile Diff on the right of the entrance. I wouldn't recommend Pobbles East (much further right) as much as it has a more serious feel and stiffer grades.

I've combined the two venues to get some pleasant solo mileage.

I've soloed the easy slab routes at Three Cliffs when taking the kids to climb. It felt fine to me, and I am by no means a hard solo-er.

I was thinking in terms of landings, but route wise yes they are as solid as any in the Gower, where you always need to be mindful of slightly block limestone.

Scavenger was the classic John Brailsford solo which he used as a benchmark to grade his other new routes around there. 

Pobbles has a ledge under the two routes on the right and boulders and a back wall no so far away under the middle ones.

If the tide is out its an short/easy walk to  Tor Bay and Great Tor, it has lots of easy routes, without the polish. (First Pillar, Second Pillar, First Corner, Second Corner). Remember don't get cut off by the tide, its a long walk via the campsite.

The problem with  Three Cliffs Bay can be the tourists sitting underneath

..and Pobbles to be fair.

Agreed, my mistake, I did not check the scope of clicking on Pobbles West

Thanks for the replies everyone - exactly the sort of beta I was looking for 🙂.  The Traverse of the Pinnacles looks a fun option if it's quiet enough (though I suspect it won't be!)

Thanks for Pobbles recommendation as a lot of beach goers at base of 3 cliffs.  Solid little routes with a sandy base - perfect.

(Only slightly spoiled by an instructor who felt his group was entitled to exclusive use of the descent scramble.  Luckily the Mod was easy enough to use as an alternative descent).

Ridiculous....  that descent scramble has at least three independent lines. Glad you enjoyed it.