Climbs 250
Rocktype Limestone
Altitude 340m a.s.l
Concentrating hard on Supercool © Kevin Avery
Crag features
The gaping mouth of Gordale is a sight to leave most climbers awestruck on first aquaintance. The combination of its narrowing overhanging walls and the constant drone of the wind and waterfall make it a place where only familiarity tempers the apprehension. However, once you are acquainted with the place, the climbing experience is easily equal to its more popular counterparts at Kilnsey and Malham, in fact many will find it an even more compelling place to climb be it on a gripping ascent of an adventurous traditional line or doing battle with one of its huge, sustained, forearm-bursting and rope-stretching sport pitches.
Approach notes
One of the biggest problems at Gordale is the ever-present danger of rockfall. More often than not rockfall is natural erosion or caused by sheep but that may not stop people blaming climbers. There is little we can do about this but we can make sure that, whenever we do climb here, we take the greatest of care not to dislodge rock onto walkers below. Be very aware that any falling rock could be fatal for those below and even a small incident may result in a total climbing ban here. Both Pierrepoint and Well Hung finishes had a good going over to make sure they were solid in Summer 2022.
No Access Issues
IMPORTANT NOTE - A well-used public footpath passes directly through the gorge and beneath many of the routes. The gorge does contain some loose rock and climbers must exercise extreme caution when the general public are around. Please ensure the following common sense guidance (taken from the Yorkshire Mountaineering Club 2005 guide) is practised; - Be extra careful with route preparation, when drilling bolts, or when setting belays/topping-out. - Belayers should ensure the public are directed away from the area below a lead climber. - Bolting practises are noisy and echo through the gorge - try and restrict it to early morning/late evening, pref. mid-week. - Do not block the steps on Backwater Buttress with 'sacks or when belaying. - The farmer has requested only small groups visit the upper wings.
| It is amazing, a good walk. It is very difficult to climb but my dad mum, and me got my 6 year old sister and my 75 year old granny up there so it can't be that bad! ryony nicholson - 19/Oct/04 |
Climbs at this crag
| Name | Grade | Stars | Type | Logs | Partner Ascents |
|---|
These climbs you have climbed by seconding or top-roping.
These climbs you have Dogged.
These climbs you Did not Finish.
Climbs are waiting to be checked by a crag moderator, and may not be accurate. Climbs can't be verified by a crag moderator, and they need more information to confirm it. Climbs are no longer climbable.
Moderators Updates to this page are checked by UKC volunteers jbrom and Eduardo Martinez