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 griddle traverse of the Wellington Block stepping across from the top of Flower Power Jules and traversing Clockwise around the block. Hands utilise the last break from the top and feet on the second break down. Upon reaching the Forester's Wall line, drop down and continue left. Finish more easily back to the start. The back wall is permitted at the start but not in the main passage way. © Rockfax
UKC Logbook Description
Girdle Traverse of the Niblick block. The route starts at the back of the block where you reach the top of ‘flower power Jules’. Traverse clockwise with feet starting around the second break down from the top. Back wall can be used. But not the side wall in main chimney. Keep going at this level until all the way round to above the start of Foresters wall where a drop down to the next break provides the Crux. Finnish on easy holds back to the start. Belay from the top (tied in).
Paul Taverner, Amber Boulderstone, Chris Johnson, Jamie Dugdale (Ad Man DNF) 04/Aug/2021.
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Grade: 6b ***
(Harrison's Rocks)