Baildon BankThe Fin (HVS 5a)
Hi folks ,
Baildon Bank, Route number 75 (ymc yorkshire grit guide) The Fin , has an eponymous feature of rock about a third of the way up which was once horizontal. I've tracked its 'falling' out of the chimney for the last 25 years but recently it has dramatically dropped by 30 degrees. I'm no structural engineer but the rock has dropped by either excess rainwater washing debris from around it, or by the whole of the front buttress listing away from the crag. The later would result in a rockfall of 1000's of tonnes and the loss of 7 routes. I'm not sure the best course of action ( Bradford council ?) but in the meantime I would certainly suggest avoiding climbing any of the routes on that buttress.
I vaguely remember years back talking to bank stalwart Bill Turner who was also tracking the movement of the buttress by placing a chisel mark which was steadily moving away from the face.
Regards
Adi Gill
