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
Climb the lower honeycomb wall to the break on good positive holds. The upper bulging wall takes most people by surprise and can cause problems if this is not your strong point or you're pumped out from the antics below you. A little condition dependent higher up. © Rockfax
UKC Logbook Description
Start as for Shodan then move left and back right to the overhanging upper wall. Finish direct or step slightly right. Philippa was a barmaid in the Crown Inn, Groombridge in the early 1980s. This is a three star route.
Guy McLelland and Barry Knight 1981.
Starred Southern Sandstone 6a's , Southern Sandstone *** Routes , Harrison’s Rocks 3 star routes
User | Date | Notes | ||
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ChossChampion | 15 May, 2019 |
Show βeta
βeta: Really fun bouldery climb, footholds still a bit wet though. | βeta? | |
Show beta
βeta: Really fun bouldery climb, footholds still a bit wet though. |
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Grade: 6c+ ***
(Bowles Rocks)