This is a cracking shot of High Rock, Cheddar Gorge, in all its glory, taken by me in December 2012. I was standing on the terrace at the foot of Heart Leaf Bluff on the north side of the Gorge, beneath a rock climb called Dinner Date. You’ll have to read the book for the significance of that!
As The Crow Flies goes straight up the blank wall in the centre left of the shot, starting at the obvious horizontal crack line. It’s a direct finish to the classic route Crow, which goes at E3 5c and wanders up the cliff starting in the car park below.
The upper wall is fiercely overhanging in the top section, making for a strenuous outing.
It truly is an outstanding crag and deserves much greater attention from climbers than it receives. The restrictions are largely to blame for that, of course, with climbing being banned on the south side of Cheddar Gorge from March to October.
If you are ever out and about in North Somerset, Cheddar Gorge is well worth a visit but don’t forget to look up!
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