The low-level, south-facing outcrop of Rivelin Edge is often ignored because of a rogue reputation for midges and greenery. Whilst this can be true on a hot summer\'s day, in autumn and winter the cliff comes into its own, getting all the sun that is going, drying rapidly and being sheltered enough to be climbable when the other edges are a frozen, wind-blasted wasteland. The simple approach and the fact that it is inside the Sheffield city boundary makes it a popular quick-hit-crag when time is short. There is the possibility to finish work and nip out for an ascent of the Needle before the sun sets; alternatively grab the opportunity of a beautiful winter\'s day to have a go at one of the big aretes or blank walls whilst the friction is good. The central area of the cliff, around the Rivelin Needle, has the highest quality concentration but hidden away in the trees are some real gems across the grade range. Overall the place is well worth a few trips and after each visit it is likely that you will have spotted another excellent route to aim for next time.

Photo: Altar Crack (VS 4c) a solid VS on Rivelin that is well worth its grade © Chris Craggs

ROUTES

119 trad routes (D...E6) 8 boulder problems (V3...V8) Graded List of Routes List of First Ascents

Buttress (click for routes)	No. of Routes	Route Type	Sunshine or shade	Approach walk	Other	Page
Birch Buttress Tucked away on the far left-hand side of the natural edge (and just before the Lost World of the...	10			12 mins		58
White House Buttress A secluded buttress with ten routes, a mixture of good old fashioned crack climbs and much more...	11			12 mins		59
Kremlin Krack The left-hand end of the main section of the cliff is a steep bay bounded on the right by some...	23			10 mins		60
Blizzard Ridge A fine arete gives one of the cliff's classic HVS routes, albeit a bit of a bold one. There are...	10			10 mins		62
The Rivelin Needle Standing proudly in front of the main cliff is the fine obelisk of the Rivelin Needle, one of...	8			10 mins		63
Face Climb The long low wall of once quarried rock behind The Needle has a few popular easier routes and some...	12			10 mins		64
The Brush Off Across the bay to the right of the clean, quarried wall behind the Rivelin Needle is the fine...	8			12 mins		65
Plague and Auto da Fe A couple of buttresses with a pair of highly technical outings both protected by one of the last...	24			12 mins		66
Roof Route The edge continues to an impressive buttress offering some great challenges which are rarely busy....	13			15 mins		68
Altar Crack Area Rivelin finishes off with a fine buttress, Altar Crack and Nonsuch are fine crack climbs, very...	8			15 mins		69
		What do these symbols mean?

Better Late than Never
"not easy, if you climb without sharing the holds on Left Edge." 24/Jul

White Out
"Some strange comments. The route goes straight up through the obvious slot in t..." 29/Apr

Better Late than Never
"My first E1 too and found the actual climbing really straightforward, difficult ..." 27/Apr

Wilkinson's Wall
"Feels a bit insecure to begin with, but the holds improve as you get higher, so ..." 16/Mar

Face Climb Number 2
"found the crux protectable without going off route." 14/Mar

The President's Crack
"Thin tape needed to thread chockstone. Awkward but 4c at most." 14/Mar

Acid Reign
"A truly brilliant problem." 21/Dec

Too Much
"...and it's very worth doing." 26/Oct

Nonsuch
"Technical 5b climbing in a nicely sustained way. Fine if you can use your feet ..." 12/Oct

Jonad Rib
"Quite serious for VS 4c, not sure where all the gear was that people are talking..." 02/Sep

Fumf
"VS 5a sounds like a well-protected crux, but the finishing move definitely needs..." 22/May

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