Evan: Life in the Outdoors

Crookrise is an interesting bouldering venue located high above Skipton. It is almost a mountain crag rather than bouldering, complete with a 20-30 min. hike up the hill. Many of the landing are treacherous frought with smaller boulders and holes. As big as the venue is there are surprisingly few problems. With this being said there are several good classic climbs as well as the good views you get overlooking craven.

I have included a few photos of the area. Autumn and I didn’t climb on this trip. We were simply checking out the area to see what is available. Watch out for updates and climbing photos as we are planning to go back.

Directions:

From the A56 bypass north of Skipton, take the road signposted to the small village of Embsay. From the Elm Tree Inn, turn left onto Pasture Road and head for Embsay Reservoir. Park in the car park next to the sailing club. Follow the gravel track. Cross the stile on the right and head leftwards following the path up the hillside until is meets a wall. Continue following the wall until you reach the first stile above the Everest Boulder Area.

Resources:

More information and route guides can be found in the book "Yorkshie Gritstone Bouldering" published by RockFax.

Its been awhile since I have last posted. After having several comments of my absence I thought I might update. Autumn and I visted Shipley Glen which is a unique bouldering crag. Here you will find a variety of bouldering for all levels including several good classic problem. It has everything from sit-down starts in caves, to long sloping traverses. Shipley Glen is a popular spot with boulderers and the rock yields a high concentration of problems per foot than anywhere else in Yorkshire. Enjoy the photos!

Directions:

Shipley Glen is a few miles north of Bradford. To reach it head for Baildon, turning off the A6068 towards Baildon Green. From the roundabout in the centre of the Green turn left up ’The Grove’ (sign posted for Shipley Glen). Follow this road for 2km until you reach a T-junction with a pub in front. Turn right and park along the road. The rock are towards the tree-line below.

Earl is another classic Yorkshire area. Drak, brooding and mysterious, it offers superb but uncommpromising bouldering, along a gritstone edge. The problems are scattered along the length of the edge with the greatest concentration being around the monument at the west end of the crag. There is plenty of variety with a lot of fine aretes and problems in the harder grades. Almost everything feels technical, thuggy or a balance of both. (Rock Fax)

Today was my first time touching rock in four years. It was a slow start, and I have a long way to go before I get back into climbing shape.  Below are some photos or the area and a  bonus photo of myself while backpacking in the Smokey Mountains, USA.