Simon's Seat is the prominent summit on the western edge of Barden Fell in North Yorkshire. It is the largest of several rocky outcrops on the moor. There are some good routes on the main crag, but most of the bouldering is concentrated on the walls around the summit area.
The Scenery
End of the Day
1
0
Sunset.
The Main Crag
At the edge of the main crag, just below the summit of Simon's Seat, there is a jumble of broken buttresses and boulders, some of which have worthwhile bouldering.
4
(V0)
1
0
0
Random jamming crack.
Pinna
7a+
(V7)
1
1
0
In a little bay left of Simon Says Squeeze. 7a from standing.
Simon Says Squeeze
7c
(V9)
1
3
0
An excellent prow between two wide cracks, climbed from a sit-start. 7b+ from standing.
Topo
Random Area Somewhere
Solipsism
7c
(V9)
1
1
0
In a small bay halfway up the steep boulder field on the northern slopes of the crag. Pull on and up to a small crimp, move right to a crescent crack-line and up to a good pocket, continue direct to finish. The foot-block to the right is out of bounds.
Blood Brothers
7b+
(V8/9)
1
0
0
Big prow just down from Solipsism, via a crack, a slopey pocket and a pokey last move over a highball finish. Start off the lowest of the blocks beneath the prow. Starting off the ground is around 7c/7c+.
Ouzo for Twozo
5
(V1)
1
0
0
Arete just down from Blood Brothers. Start on the right and swing on to the left at mid height.
South Crag
This is the short, south-facing broken edge to the south of the trig point. The most prominent features are a blank arete at the far left end, and a bigger but more featured arete in the centre (taken by the route "And She Was"). There are numerous smaller boulders in this area - see the topo.
Galaxy Left
7c+
(V10)
2
0
0
Magnolia
7b+
(V8/9)
1
0
0
Red Hot Knob
4
(V0)
3
0
0
A short overhanging prow left of the And She Was buttress.
And She Was
E3 6a
1
1
The big arete.
I'll Bet She Does
E3 6a
1
0
The wall right of the arete.
Out With The Old
E1 5b
1
2
A highball wall further right of the big arete of And She Was.
Hen Stones
The large expanse of barren ground between Simon's Seat and Lord's Seat contains numerous boulders. There is only one wall high enough for climbing, but there is a quality problem here.
Topo
Main Wall
Chicken Run
5
(V1)
0
0
Big crack.
Hen Arete
7a
(V6)
0
0
An obvious arete, climbed on its left side, is a superb technical exercise.
Bird Flu
7b
(V8)
0
0
Right side of the arete.
Family Bucket
4
(V0)
0
0
Arete and face direct.
3
(V0-)
0
0
Narrow slabby face between two cracks.
Chicken Tonight
3
(V0-)
0
0
Easy groove.
Hen Pecked
6c
(V5)
0
0
Arete right of wide crack.
Free Range
7b+
(V8/9)
0
0
Right arete using thin seam in face.
Egg Boulder
An egg-shaped boulder opposite the main wall.
Over Easy
7a
(V6)
0
0
Start on the right-hand side of a large undercut. Gain the sloping ramp on poor slopers and move diagonally leftward to top-out at the highest point of the boulder.
Little Simon's Seat
On the hillside to the north of the summit another collection of boulders is obvious - Little Simon's Seat. Thanks to Greg Chapman for descriptions of the problems here.
Topo
Main Block
7a
(V6)
1
0
From a good edge, go up and left on slopey holds. Great problem but not a great landing. Sit-start.
6c+
(V5)
0
0
Vague, left-trending scoop. Sit-start.
6a+
(V3)
0
0
Wall on pockets and slopey edges. Sit-start.
6b+
(V4)
0
0
Start up problem 3 but swing right at the two slopey crimps at half height. Sit-start.
6a
(V3)
0
0
Wall on pockets and edges. Sit-start.
6a+
(V3)
0
0
Arete on the left. Sit-start.
Arete Boulder
5
(V1)
1
0
0
Big arete climbed direct. 7a from sitting.
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