CountyEthics

Rothley Crag

Gritstone · Partial exposure · 215m altitude

Do not climb
Do Not Climb
40%
confidence

The crag received 14.6mm of heavy rain on May 3rd and has had only intermittent dry spells since, with trace precipitation on May 5th and today (May 7th). Combined with high average humidity (~80%), moderate temperatures, and a further 1mm forecast tomorrow followed by 13.4mm on May 9th, the rock is unlikely to be reliably dry internally despite the SE/S aspect.

Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.

View full analysis Analysis 1d ago

How accurate is this verdict?

Climbing Outlook

Today 8 May
Do Not Climb 40%
Fri 8 May
Do Not Climb 55%
Sat 9 May
Do Not Climb 90%
Sun 10 May
Do Not Climb 85%
Mon 11 May
Do Not Climb 90%
Tue 12 May
Do Not Climb 50%

Site Details

A mid-county bouldering venue on open moorland north of Scots Gap, managed by the National Trust. Notably different rock — Millstone Grit rather than Fell Sandstone — giving a coarser, more gritstone-like texture with different porosity. Over 200 problems on a prominent buttress and scattered boulders. SE-S facing aspect catches good sun. A quieter alternative to the more popular venues.

Condition Notes

Millstone Grit rather than Fell Sandstone — coarser texture with different porosity characteristics. Still porous and must not be climbed wet, but drying behaviour differs slightly from the finer-grained Fell Sandstone venues.

Rock Type
Gritstone
Wind Exposure
Partial
Altitude
215m
Climbing
Bouldering
Aspects
SE S
Problems
200
Boulder Grades
Font 4 – Font 7a
Access
CRoW Open Access
Approach
5 min

Site Data

Name
Rothley Crag
County
Northumberland
Rock Type
Gritstone
Climbing Types
Bouldering
Aspects
SE, S
Wind Exposure
Partial
Altitude
215m
Latitude
55.191
Longitude
-1.935
OS Grid Ref
NZ 042885
Access Type
CRoW Open Access
Approach Time
5 min
Problem Count
200
Route Count
Boulder Grades
Font 4 – Font 7a
Trad Grades
Tidal
No
Parking Notes
Large layby at crossroads further north, or small (3 cars max) layby at southern end. Do NOT park on roadside blocking gates or field access.
Condition Notes
Millstone Grit rather than Fell Sandstone — coarser texture with different porosity characteristics. Still porous and must not be climbed wet, but drying behaviour differs slightly from the finer-grained Fell Sandstone venues.
ID
f3ac3ffd-6a66-4016-977f-a7439749de28

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