UKC

Climbs 59
Rocktype Grit (quarried)
Altitude 236m a.s.l
Faces S

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John Henry Quarry - In-di-go (above climbers head) © cmgcmg

Crag features

Worth a visit if linked with Hobson Moor quarry. Most routes are in the low to middle grades up to 25m high. Slightly vegetated/damp in places, choose a dry spell. The best routes are between VS and E2, all of which are well-protected and sound.

The rock is clean and solid, except for where it isn't, and many routes are climbable after a day of dry weather. Some lines take a ton of seepage, but they should be obvious when you turn up. As the place is a sun trap, it is also a midge trap, and if there has been rain and the day is fairly windless, you'll have a Scottish midge experience.

Approach notes

On the eastern edge of Tintwistle on the A628, the 'old road' branches off leftwards. 100m from the A628, a grassy track runs into the quarry.

Update this Crag
Last updated on 28/Mar/2023

Restricted Access

No access issues reported.

Seasonal Restrictions

Reason: Nesting Birds

Kestrel occasionally nest near Ferny-lee Crack - if you see the birds, please avoid routes in this area between 1st March - 30th June.

Click here for RAD Access Notes
Last update: 19/12/2022  

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The "easier" routes here get so little traffic that the vegetation taking them over makes life very difficult. I thought I'd have an easy start yesterday on In-Di-Go but bailed at one look at the desperate scramble onto the sloping grass ledge, had lunch and then sailed up the nearby Crikey Crack. The latter was far easier with real holds and great gear all the way! Most routes would benefit from more traffic to keep nature at bay. Conditions right now are pretty good, after 11 days of dry weather and some good breezes, most lines are dry, other than the odd trickle. No kestrels seen nesting yesterday.
alr1970 - 28/Mar/22
Sounds like it's had a clean up and stakes placed. Link from UKC forum. https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/john_henry_quarry_cleaned_up-719824
marktrik - 29/May/20
Watch out for the birds nest 3/4 of the way up. Nothing in it at the min but could cause you problems in summer great climbing and very quiet
Frank1tank - 01/Apr/12
the 'suspicious flake' on the route "fragile" is now gone, although there is still some very sandy rock.
Dan Lane - 01/Apr/10
Bypass is no longer going to cut through the quarry!!!
cmgcmg - 18/May/09
Investigated this place and followed Chris Ovens directions. It is far more extensive than his descriptions suggest. The location of this venue is shown as Holybank Quarry on the os map. I'm sure this is the same venue as John Henry Quarry aka Hollybank Quarry on the BMC rad.
popebenedictus - 19/Dec/07
Description seems to fit Holybank Quarry (SK026976)
popebenedictus - 04/Oct/07
Due to be cut in half by a bypass that will be built in 2008-2010 unless itis stopped!
cmgcmg - 31/Mar/06
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