UKC

Climbing in Portland? Respect the Rock


11 Jun, 2020

Also like to add that there seems to be an increase in people leaving detritus behind, I'm sure it is rarely climbers, but if it is, that is not how to behave outdoors or anywhere for that matter. If you see rubbish laying around, please held to keep these fantastic venues clean by taking it away, even if it is not yours.

11 Jun, 2020

Other thoughts:

I would add that a 60 metre rope is barely long enough for some Portland routes. On climbs such as Pregnant Pause, or Lord Stublock an inattentive belayer could lower the leader off the end of the rope, so either take a 70 metre rope as I do or tie a knot in the end.

Beware caterpillar hairs. In spring Portland is infested with brown tail moth larvae caterpillars. They are covered in hairs that are toxic. The caterpillars shed their hairs as they move around. If you touch hairs (e.g. by lying in the grass below the crag or brushing bare legs against vegetation) you will get a nasty rash. Over multiple visits you may (as I have) get sensitised to them and the rashes will get worse. At worst some residents suffer breathing difficulties and have to go to hospital. To avoid them either climb by the sea or avoid the island in spring.

The tracks below some crags can become very muddy and slippy. Consider wearing approach shoes with some tread.

13 Jun, 2020

At the end of the video he mentions van and wild camping is illegal on Portland.

Is it illegal to sleep in your van parked on a public road in Portland?

13 Jun, 2020

No, it’s not illegal to sleep in your vehicle on a public road, but I guess they are referring people (like me pre lockdown) dossing at Cheyne Weares carpark. There’s a community of permanent homeless people now resident in Portland, at least four vans, and a couple sleeping in a Focus. The sign of things to come now with the recession looming...

17 Jun, 2020

Respect the rock on Portland - surely the stable door is open and that horse "bolted" in the 1990s?

;-) (I don't know the emoticon for tongue in cheek)

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