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Upper Wall (aka "The Ramp")

International > Europe > United Kingdom > England > S West > Avon Gorge

Description

At the left end of the Sea Walls is an enormous, leftwards-slanting ramp, created by rock stabilisation works some time in the 60s (*check this*). Above this is a slightly overhanging wall of compact, textured rock, and some of the most popular hard routes in the gorge. The character of the climbs here is very different to the rest of the gorge, owing to the steeper angle, abundant protection provided by cracks or solid fixed gear, and sound rock.

The crag is a real suntrap, and is climbable year-round. The best conditions can be found on a crisp, sunny winter's day, when friction is at it's best. In the summer, it can get sweltering so a day with a stiff breeze and maybe some cloud cover is probably best.

Newcomers often start with the popular crack climbs "Banshee" and "New Horizons 2" (both E2 5c or mid 5.10). From there progress to the classic and airy route "Them" and the well-protected, cruxy "Mirage" (both E3 6a or low 5.11), and on to even harder routes!

Getting There

From the Sea Walls car park, walk to the left end of the crag and up a huge ramp. The climbs are on the wall above. An alternative approach can be made by abseil down from the North West corner of the Downs.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 2
Them
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 3
New Horizons II
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 2
Mirage
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 1
Arms Race
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 1
Low Profile
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 1
Us
Trad 2 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 1
Rancho Cucamonga
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 1
Banshee
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 1
Who Me?
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Them
 2
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
New Horizons II
 3
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Mirage
 2
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
Arms Race
 1
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
Low Profile
 1
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
Us
 1
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Rancho Cucamonga
 1
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Banshee
 1
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Who Me?
 1
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The parallel cracks are the cruxy "Mirage" (left) and the pumpy "Arms Race" (right)
[Hide Photo] The parallel cracks are the cruxy "Mirage" (left) and the pumpy "Arms Race" (right)
Climber on Who Me? Banshee follows the crack just to the left. Rancho Cucamonga takes the orange streak further left directly.
[Hide Photo] Climber on Who Me? Banshee follows the crack just to the left. Rancho Cucamonga takes the orange streak further left directly.
Sea Walls and associated areas. Avon Gorge, Bristol, England.
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Annotated Google Maps imagery.
[Hide Photo] Sea Walls and associated areas. Avon Gorge, Bristol, England. Annotated Google Maps imagery.
Looking down the gorge from the ramp
[Hide Photo] Looking down the gorge from the ramp

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Daniel Heins
Seattle
[Hide Comment] Excellent climbing, probably some of the only cragging one can do at the Gorge. All routes have rap anchors (though for Them, you should walk/low angle rap down a bit just past he lone glue in to a set of rap rings that will deposit you just left of New Horizons II)

When rappelling in from the top, be mindful of knocking the large amount of loose rock. Mar 24, 2019