The quarry is reopening for climbers from Friday 5th June. There are some important issues which all climbers must take into consideration if we are to maintain our access agreement.
1. Parking is very limited with a maximum of 7 or 8 car spaces. With the current Covid19 rules many climbers will be arriving separately meaning there will be more cars than usual. PLEASE DON’T CREATE AN OBSTRUCTION TO PASSING TRAFFIC. Large articulated lorries and farm vehicles use the lane. Any complaint to the landowner would seriously endanger our access agreement.
Please climb somewhere else if the parking spaces are full. You could try Portishead Quarry for slab climbing, Cheddar or Avon.
2. During the Covid19 crisis any accident involving emergency services including Police, Ambulance, Cliff Rescue and NHS services could jeopardise our access agreement. (See the messages from rescue teams on UKC and social media about the additional difficulties they are facing at this time.) It is important to minimise risks as much as possible. Climb routes within your capability and avoid routes which are obviously loose. Unfortunately many of the easier routes in the quarry have loose rock and are not ideal for beginners or inexperienced trad climbers.
3. Every effort should be made to ensure social distancing.
4. Ash dieback is affecting trees throughout the Mendip area including in and around the quarry. This condition can seriously impact on the strength and reliability of even large trees. Wherever possible back up Ash trees used as belays and runners. An inspection of all tree belays and runners will be carried out in the near future.
It is the responsibility of all climbers to act sensibly and maintain our access agreement. The combination remains the same. If you need the code email fcq@btinternet.com.
Ian ButterworthBMC Access Rep for Fairy Cave Quarry.
