Preposterous Tales Route Grade Votings
Total votes cast 32
Adjacent Routes
This route is a wild, crazy trip into the bowels of the earth. It starts as for Quoin, and traverses into the low sea cave to the right, thereafter firing up through a massive blowhole system, to arrive at the top blowhole exit (see photo right). Big, big adventure! Please note that the route is much harder when it’s soaking wet. In perfect conditions it may only be HVS, in normal conditions it is around E2, and in wild conditions it is even harder and inadvisable. Check the blowhole exit before you commit, as this gives you an idea of how wet the route is likely to be - it does occasionally dry out, especially with a strong, dry southerly blowing. Head torches very much required (as is an easy-going sense of humour). But then again, there’s also that first ascent date! USER COMMENTS
This route is a serious undertaking - far more so than other Pembroke routes of E2. Do not go near it if a big sea is running - even 50' up in the cave you will catch the waves and it ain't funny.
One of Britain's finest climbing adventures. The grade varies wildly. On a damp dark December day with a big sea running and no torch it felt like E4. I've met people who've climbed it in perfect conditions who swear it's only HVS.
PS. You should include the High Life in the next guide. It's as good as Dream of White Horses. E1/2 5c.
Although I've only done Preposterous Tales the once - on a dark damp day in April, without torches, chalk or prior knowledge of the route - I recall some debate as to the grade. Did it merit HVS or VS? It appears that one can be so wrong sometimes!
One of the most dangerous undertakings I have ever done. Climbed far chimney instead of wall. 2nd pitch took 3 hours of complete concentration on slime. This is not climbing its caving. DONT DO IT!!!
If you like adventure then this is an absolute must. Due to the nature of the, often wet, rock and the potential difficulties of getting back on should one of your party suffer a fall, added to that the difficulties of exacting a rescue or even communicating with anyone, even your partner, in the event of an accident, this climb dose deserve E2. Of course that is exactly why this climb is sooo fantastic, the sense of elation as you emerge from the blow hole is rarely paralleled. Take a head torch if you must, but its better without.
Elation, no. Nausea, yes. |