Rockfax Description
The classic HVS at Wintour's Leap. It takes on the dominating edge of the North Wall via a swerving line - first right and then left. The initial section of the first pitch is hard. Start at a large corner under the arete.
1) 5b, 22m. Bridge and layback up the corner and pass two overhangs - hard but good gear is available. Continue with less difficulty until easy ground leads to a belay in a cave.
2) 4b, 24m. Head out right and up slightly from the cave to reach a chimney (hidden from the cave belay). Climb to the top of the chimney and a ledge on the left (peg). Move left to the groove in the arete and follow this on good holds to below a large overhang. Traverse left past a thread and then move down to a niche and belay on pegs. Beware of rope drag on this pitch.
3) 4a, 13m. The groove leads to scrambling to the Great Ledge. © Rockfax
UKC Logbook Description
Start in the corner by the fallen block.
1st pitch - polished start that must be bridged and laybacked, very pumpy but short. You do need a good selection of cams. Place gear up high (over the first overhang) before you start and ensure your belayer pays attention as there is a risk of a ground fall. Place more gear around the second overhang and mount the crux. The climbing then becomes easier, continue up the arete and then scramble into the cave (thread and peg belay).
2nd pitch, leave the cave boldy, traversing slightly up and to the right into a chimney. Climb the chimney (small wires) to a small ledge (peg). Step left and a little up until you are right under the overhangs. Traverse left (exposed but on good holds) and then step down into a niche for belay. This pitch has heavy rope drag so pay attention to runner.
The 3rd pitch is straight up (small wires) to the great ledge (various tree/block/nut belays).
Use the main abseil station on the great ledge, a pair of 50m ropes just reach the ground.
Ticklists
Orange Spot Lower Wye , UK Lonely Leads , Coronation Street , Wye's it a trad classic (up to HVS)? , CC Wye Valley and Forest of Dean trad stars, blue list (VS and HVS) , 23 HVS routes for 2023
Feedback
| User | Date | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhaegalex | 11 May, 2022 |
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βeta: Big loose bit on the left of the cave, looks like a good jug. P2 has quite a bit of loose stuff on it, take care | βeta? | |
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Show beta
βeta: Big loose bit on the left of the cave, looks like a good jug. P2 has quite a bit of loose stuff on it, take care |
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| tom0129 | 26 Mar, 2022 |
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βeta: Huge block came off while partner was seconding P3, and the already mentioned large block looks dodgy. Go steady. | βeta? | |
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Show beta
βeta: Huge block came off while partner was seconding P3, and the already mentioned large block looks dodgy. Go steady. |
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| PaulJepson | 27 Jul, 2020 |
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βeta: Towards the top groove of P1 there are dual pegs. The big cave ('The Angel's Eye') is about 4m diagonally left of this. Impossible to see from the line of P1 if you don't know where you are going. Easy climbing on scrappy blocks takes you there. | βeta? | |
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Show beta
βeta: Towards the top groove of P1 there are dual pegs. The big cave ('The Angel's Eye') is about 4m diagonally left of this. Impossible to see from the line of P1 if you don't know where you are going. Easy climbing on scrappy blocks takes you there. |
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| plant_based_tommo | 6 Jun, 2020 |
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βeta: some loose rock on p2 and p3. not awful but care should be taken. | βeta? | |
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Show beta
βeta: some loose rock on p2 and p3. not awful but care should be taken. |
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Logged Ascents
Guidebooks for Wintour's Leap
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The Laughing Cavaliers
Grade: HVS 5a ***
(Shorn Cliff)