Pothole Wall Top 50

3 Stars
Technical
 VS 5a

Adjacent Routes
<< Pleasure Dome < Excavator  |  Gangue Grooves > Euromess >>

A fine and popular route with just a couple of hard moves which are well protected by fixed gear. The 1st pitch feels quite pushy.
1) 4c, 20m. Climb the shallow right-facing groove (polished) then trend left under the ivy on spaced jugs to reach a small exposed stance with good belays.
2) 5a, 15m. Passing the pothole involves an awkward and constricted traverse (threads) to reach a ledge. Step back to the left and finish up the hanging groove. An alternative finish out right ends up in an ugly shrubby gully and is best avoided.
FA. Steve Read, K.Beech (some aid) 1959

USER COMMENTS

This felt like it is top end VS, there is no in-situ tat on the moves but the gear is good throughout.
Martin - 20/May/04

High in the grade for VS, the start is polished and tricky. Once off the ground it gets easier.
Don't do what we did and follow an old guide book which tells you to finish diagonally right. This finish is covered in vegetation and slippery mud.
Paul - 17/Aug/04

Probably loses a star for the starting polish. In situ tat (pitch 2) is no more but this makes little difference as you can put as much gear in as you like. I have to say I've done harder '5b' moves !
GrahamD - 13/Jun/05

Really enjoyed this route, polished start but it's fine with a cool head.
Adam Moroz - 22/Aug/05

fantastic climbed in one pitch and enjoy your seconds progress from hanging belay off tree.might be the best limestone vs in the peak
donie o sullivan - 18/Aug/09

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  • Access Issues for Peak Limestone

  • Route Grade Votings

    Total votes cast 42
    hard HVS 0 of 14
    HVS 0 of 14
    easy HVS 3 of 14
    hard VS 11 of 14
    VS 0 of 14
    easy VS 0 of 14
    hard HS 0 of 14
    HS 0 of 14
    easy HS 0 of 14
    hard 5b 0 of 14
    5b 0 of 14
    easy 5b 0 of 14
    hard 5a 2 of 14
    5a 12 of 14
    easy 5a 0 of 14
    hard 4c 0 of 14
    4c 0 of 14
    easy 4c 0 of 14
    3 Stars 8 of 14
    2 Stars 6 of 14
    1 Star 0 of 14
    0 Stars 0 of 14
    Bag of ..... 0 of 14

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