The BMC has owned part of this popular sport climbing venue since 2005 (routes from Mr Cellulite’s Arete rightwards on the lower tier and from In the Jailhouse rightwards on the upper tier) and BMC land is actively managed for the benefit of climbers, walkers and conservation. Horseshoe varies from good quality, solid rock to significant areas of loose, hollow and blast shattered rock. Visitors should pay close attention at all times in case of loose rock and helmets are highly recommended whilst climbing or belaying.
In 2017, a re-bolting project took place on routes located on BMC owned land at Horseshoe to replace the old bolts and scale loose rock. The project replaced old fixed equipment of various vintage with new stainless steel glue in bolts, rationalised the bolt spacing on sport routes to reduce long runouts and standardised lower offs to double ring lower offs. A new lower off simulator has also been added to the large boulder below The Dust Bunnies on Main Wall to allow new sport climbers to practice re-threading rings before getting on the sharp end
19 routes were unfortunately decommissioned due to unstable or fractured rock which could not be scaled back to a solid state to place new bolts with confidence in their quality and strength. These routes have had their bolts removed and will not be re-equipped – we hope climbers will respect this decision.
Whilst this work has undoubtedly made the crag safer, it has not and cannot make it completely 'safe'. This is still a quarried venue with blast damaged rock, subject to ongoing weathering and undoubtedly loose rock will develop again over time, not to mention all the normal hazards associated with climbing outdoors. It should also be noted that the areas of the quarry not owned by the BMC have not been re-equipped and there will still be old bolts which could be widely varying in age and quality. Whether re-equipped or not, assessing the quality of the bolts and rock they are placed in before and as you climb is still an essential part of the climbing experience at Horseshoe, as it is at any other crag.
Reason: Nesting Birds
House martins sometimes nest on various routes on Main Wall - please avoid any routes with nests on whilst the birds are in residence.
Rockfax Description
A quality climb that follows an intricate and sustained line up the wall just right of the lead vein. Sustained in its middle section. © Rockfax
FA. Mark Pretty, Ian French, John Godding 1986.
Horseshoe Star Quality , Peak sport for mortals
User | Date | Notes | ||
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IainAM | 18 Jan, 2022 |
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βeta: Bit stretchy for the shorter among us | βeta? | |
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βeta: Bit stretchy for the shorter among us |
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Quintin | 30 Dec, 2020 |
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βeta: A bit run out near the top. Cracking route but it does not need to be that spicy. | ||
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βeta: A bit run out near the top. Cracking route but it does not need to be that spicy. |
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dmason1992 | 19 May, 2020 |
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βeta: Bit spaced at the top. Safe falls but it certainly added to the dear factor... Also fell a LOT. Great way to knock your ego back into shape | βeta? | |
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βeta: Bit spaced at the top. Safe falls but it certainly added to the dear factor... Also fell a LOT. Great way to knock your ego back into shape |
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Tez29 | 15 Jan, 2006 |
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βeta: People can slag off horseshoe, but there are some great routes,this being one of them. Great technical climbing, and good moves. Pretty sustained though getting polished now. | βeta? | |
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βeta: People can slag off horseshoe, but there are some great routes,this being one of them. Great technical climbing, and good moves. Pretty sustained though getting polished now. |
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Mark A Humphries | 27 Sep, 2003 |
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βeta: Thought this was a really sustained and fairly technical climb. Well worth doing if only to see how pumped you get! | βeta? | |
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βeta: Thought this was a really sustained and fairly technical climb. Well worth doing if only to see how pumped you get! |
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Peter Bradwell | 16 Jul, 2000 |
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βeta: Harder for the short. | βeta? | |
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βeta: Harder for the short. |
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Grade: 6c ***
(Blue Lagoon Quarry)