UKC

Rockfall in Avon Gorge closes 'Unknown Wall'

© Ally Smith
A large rockfall has occurred at the extreme left-hand end of Unknown Wall, Avon Gorge, Bristol.

Colin Knowles, part of the BMC initiative 'Climb Bristol Project' gives us more details:

"An 8mx8m section of the cliff immediately left of Halcyon Days' has collapsed - littering 100 cubic metres of blocks on the slope uphill of the start of Unknown Wall. Access to all the Unknown area, apart from Upper Wall, is closed i.e. access is not permitted to any routes commencing from any part of the flat ground and wooded slope behind the roadside stone wall. Signage/taping is in place top and bottom.

Apart from the threat from precariously loose boulders on the slope there are signs of serious instability to the cliff right of the rockfall (ie the cliff containing Halcyon Days'). Consultant geologists and contractors are in the process of assessing the site and will formulate a remediation plan. These works will have a significant effect on the climbing here. The land beneath this section of the cliffs is now known to be private (and the rockfall has raised liability concerns).

All climbers are asked to stay clear of the area as requested."

Keep up with the developments on the Climb Bristol Project Facebook Page which is updated frequently.

More details on the project can be found on the BMC Website


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31 Jan, 2013
I think I remember Unknown Wall being closed due to rockfall a long time ago, maybe the late 60's.
31 Jan, 2013
Need to open my eyes a bit more, didnt notice this at all when I was there on Monday... Will go have looky tomorrow
31 Jan, 2013
The initial rockfall happened a while back now, and it's not exactly somewhere obvious - it's a bit of a trek up there, and desperately slippery when wet. Hopefully this can be stabilised and access regained soon - there are some lovely climbs out of bounds at the moment.
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