HIGH ROCKS
Historical
High Rocks has been climbed on continuously since the 1930s. The rocks at 40 feet high are the tallest and most extensive of the traditional sandstone cliffs in the South East of England. As Cloggy is to North Wales, and Millstone is to the Peak District, so is High Rocks to SE of England. At the beginning of the season climbers practise at Harrisons in order to build up their strength and co-ordination to tackle High Rocks.Whilst 40% of the hardest climbs are to be found at High Rocks, a third of the approximately 220 routes are in the easier grades. The overall steepness and sustained character gives the impression that the area is for the more proficient climber. This is compounded by the dark, dank, slimy lichenous aspect of the rocks due to the extensive tree cover.


A unique feature of High Rocks is the presence of deep chimneys and of jamming cracks. The chimneys in particular are probably the best place in England and certainly in the South of England to practise this type of climbing. The fact that the sandstone is smooth, free of ledges, pebbles or crystals to edge on forces the climber to perfect 'chimneying' technique. A few days thus spent at High Rocks will reward the climber if he should attempt a long route in the States where a 5.9 chimney might otherwise provide the crux on a 5.11 multi-pitch climb. Nationally famous climbers have made fools of themselves on television when repulsed by the steep cracks of the Desert. All because they did not take advantage of the High Rocks cracks and chimneys. Whilst the chimneys and cracks are unique in the SE, the majority of the climbing is on steep faces, overhangs and aretes. For the adventurous climber all aspects of the sport are available at High Rocks, as they are not anywhere else south of Birmingham.
HIGH ROCKS RESTORATION PROJECT