Sometimes rain on a climbing trip can be good thing. A couple of weeks ago, rain forced me to give up on climbing at The Roaches and instead go for a walk in the surrounding countryside. It turned out to be a great walk, going to places I had never been and seeing some fantastic sights. I hiked over Hen Cloud, past The Roaches, through the chasm of Lud’s Church, along the pretty River Dane, under The Hanging Stone, and back along the whole length of the Roaches ridge. The best bit was the amazing, clear views from The Roaches once the rain and cloud had cleared.
Hen Cloud just visible through the cloud and light rain.
The Roaches enveloped in cloud.
The Upper Tier at the Roaches – pretty, but not good for climbing on that day.
Lud’s Church. It was used as a secret place of worship by the Lollards in the early 15th Century. The Lollards were followers of John Wycliffe, an early church reformer.
Lud’s Church. It was used as a secret place of worship by the Lollards in the early 15th Century. The Lollards were followers of John Wycliffe, an early church reformer.
We walked along the River Dane from Gradbach to Danebridge.
The Hanging Stone, which sits at one end of the Roaches ridge, near Danebridge. It has two plaques on it – one in memory of the local squire’s dog (buried under the stone) and the other in memory of Lt Col Courtney Brocklehurst, whose family used to own the Roaches estate.
Looking back the way we had come, with the Hanging Stone just visible in the distance.
Tittesworth Reservoir seen from the top of the Roaches.
The Roaches and Hen Cloud.
The next day was bright and clear, and so I got my chance to go climbing. I went bouldering for the first time at The Attic and The Cellar.
These areas are hidden away at the top of the Upper Tier of The Roaches. They were sheltered and quiet, and a great place for some relaxing Sunday bouldering.
The Roaches lower tier on a brilliant, sunny day.
Looking up to The Attic at the Roaches.
Me climbing Easy Groove (VB) inside The Cellar area of The Roaches.
On Mounty (V0- 4b) in The Attic area of The Roaches.
Trying to climb Cellar Slab 2 (V2 5c) in The Cellar area of The Roaches.
53.171310
-1.999960
The Roaches, Leek ST13 8TA, UK
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
the Severe climber 
Thanks for the wonderful photos, Robin – it was (almost!) as good as being there . . . Dian
On Sun, Nov 3, 2019 at 1:39 PM the Severe climber wrote:
> the Severe climber posted: “Sometimes rain on a climbing trip can be good > thing. A couple of weeks ago, rain forced me to give up on climbing at The > Roaches and instead go for a walk in the surrounding countryside. It > turned out to be a great walk, going to places I had never been” >
Thanks Diana.
Lovely blue skies on Day 2, such a good photo of the Roaches and Hen Cloud that you have taken
Thanks. Just a combination of a good view and great light.
Heaven comes to he who waits – and in the meantime you made a wonderful discovery!
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks. Yes – it definitely does.
Best wishes,
Robin
I’d love to visit Lud’s Church. We have a gill a bit like it under Ingleborough called Trow Gill but I don’t think it’s anything like as spectacular…
It really is amazing. It’s also so hidden away that you can easily see why it was used as a secret place of worship.
I bet it has a bit of an atmosphere (I can sense those kinds of things) after it’s secret usage too