There are three small crags clustered around the two Gorple reservoirs in the middle of the Calderdale moors near Widdop.
Dicken Rocks The most extensive crag at Gorple, situated between the two reservoirs near a shooting lodge, is reminiscent of the Bridestones, although not as good.
Upper Gorple overlooks the upper reservoir and is home to the famous John Dunne routes Eternal and Carmen Picasso. The two big blocks below the main crag give limited bouldering, but there are a couple of classic problems.
Gorple Stones is the chaotic jumble of boulders on the Lancashire border just above the Gorple Road. There are plenty of boulders here, but not many worth climbing.
Dicken Rocks
The most extensive crag at Gorple, and the only one described in the bouldering guide. The rock is gritty but the landings are generally good and there are a few worthwhile problems.
5
(V1)
2
0
On a large boulder in front of the main edge. Climb the short wall starting at a flake.
6a
(V3)
2
0
1
An excellent problem near the left edge of the main edge. Climb the buttress via a long reach from an undercut.
The Tube
5+
(V2)
2
0
2
Tricky moves lead to an unusual tube-shaped runnel.
I Am Not Spock
6b
(V4)
2
1
The faint groove in the overhanging front face of the huge boulder.
Upper Gorple
The best bouldering here is on the large block beneath Eternal. There are also problems on another free-standing boulder, and on the lower part of the main edge, left of Eternal. Further down the hillside there is another collection of boulders with a 6c and 7a+ on a leaning wall.
Topo
The Eternal Boulder
The impressive boulder beneath the main crag has an undercut slab on the front face, and overhanging walls on the side and back faces.
6b
(V4)
0
0
Traverse the lip of the undercut slab on slopers and heelhooks to the arete, then pull over onto the slab. Superb.
6a
(V3)
1
0
0
The arete is an excellent problem in its own right.
?
(V?)
0
0
Traverse the obvious sloping break on the back of the block from a sit start at the crack. Choice of finishes.
6a
(V3)
0
0
The hideous crack. Various possibilities exist e.g. try laybacking the left side of the crack - powerful.
5
(V1)
0
0
The short wall right of the crack from a sit start.
Jiggery Pokery
Down the hill from Eternal, towards the reservoir, there is another cluster of boulders beside the path.
Jiggery Pokery
7a+
(V7)
2
1
0
A right-to-left traverse. Exit straight up from the crimp in the middle of the wall, or continue at 7a+.
Topo
Gorple Stones
The climbing here isn't particularly good, although there are a handful of pleasant problems. The Leeds Wall website new routes page has a topo with a few more problems described.
6a
(V3)
0
0
Below a prominent pinnacle in the centre of the Stones is a boulder with a short overhanging front face. Climb the arete from a sit start.
6a
(V3)
0
0
Climb the crack in the centre of the wall from a sit start.
3
(V0-)
0
0
Further right (looking in) is a nice slab. This problem climbs the left edge of the slab.
3
(V0-)
0
0
The centre of the slab.
5+
(V2)
0
0
The undercut right edge of the slab.
6a
(V3)
0
0
On the big block further right, climb the overhanging crack and arete in the left wall. Suprisingly awkward.
5
(V1)
0
0
The left edge of the front slab of the block.
4
(V0)
0
0
Thin flakes in the centre of the slab.
?
(V?)
0
0
The awesome overhanging arete is unclimbed - not surprising given the awful landing.
?
(V?)
0
0
The crack in the overhanging wall right of the arete is also unclimbed.
5
(V1)
0
0
The wall above the previous boulder has several problems, mostly with bad landings. This problem climbs the left arete.
6a
(V3)
0
0
The sharp slabby arete is tricky - everything slopes the wrong way!
1
