Back Bowden Doors has had a wet and unsettled recent period — 10.1mm on May 3rd, 2.1mm on May 5th, and light rain today — with no sustained dry spell in the sheltered valley to allow adequate drying of the porous Fell Sandstone. With further rain forecast tomorrow and heavy rain on May 9th, conditions are not suitable for climbing and are unlikely to improve this week.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
How accurate is this verdict?
Climbing Outlook
Site Details
Also known as Colour Heugh, a west-facing Fell Sandstone outcrop in a sheltered valley approximately 5km west of Belford, around 2km north of the main Bowden Doors crag. Part of an SSSI designated as some of the finest exposures of early Dinantian Fell Sandstone in northern England. Offers both single-pitch trad routes (to E8/E9) and a well-developed bouldering circuit characterised by huge overhangs and powerful roof problems. The sheltered valley position and wooded section slow drying compared to the exposed hilltop of Bowden Doors proper — the porous Fell Sandstone must not be climbed when damp. Seasonal bird nesting restrictions may apply.
Condition Notes
Sheltered valley position and wooded section slow drying compared to the exposed hilltop of Bowden Doors proper. The powerful roof problems can weep from above after rain. Bird nesting restrictions may apply seasonally.
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Wind Exposure
- Sheltered
- Altitude
- 170m
- Climbing
- Trad Bouldering
- Aspects
- W
- Problems
- 80
- Routes
- 30
- Boulder Grades
- Font 4 – Font 8A
- Trad Grades
- HS – E9
- Access
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach
- 10 min
Site Data
- Name
- Back Bowden Doors
- County
- Northumberland
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Climbing Types
- Trad, Bouldering
- Aspects
- W
- Wind Exposure
- Sheltered
- Altitude
- 170m
- Latitude
- 55.596
- Longitude
- -1.898
- OS Grid Ref
- —
- Access Type
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach Time
- 10 min
- Problem Count
- 80
- Route Count
- 30
- Boulder Grades
- Font 4 – Font 8A
- Trad Grades
- HS – E9
- Tidal
- No
- Parking Notes
- Park as for Bowden Doors on the B6349 west of Belford.
- Condition Notes
- Sheltered valley position and wooded section slow drying compared to the exposed hilltop of Bowden Doors proper. The powerful roof problems can weep from above after rain. Bird nesting restrictions may apply seasonally.
- ID
- f74b10d9-6e75-44bb-b3d3-3187754375d6
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