The Hole
| The Hole | |
| Rock Type | Natural Carboniferous Limestone |
|---|---|
| Climbing Style | Trad |
| Approach Time | 40 minutes |
| Area | Gower |
| Sub Area | Thurba to Overton |
| Local Area | Paviland and Juniper Wall |
| Geodata | |
| WGS-84 Location | 51.551322, -4.259650 |
| OS Grid Ref. | SS 434 860 |
| WGS-84 Parking Location | 51.561586, -4.242797 |
| GR Parking Location | SS 446 871 |
| Parking Postcode | SA3 1PE |
| Base Elevation | 0 metres (Other) |
| General Info | |
| Faces Direction | South |
| Aspect | Partially Sunny |
| Wind Sheltered | Mostly |
| Climbing Type | Serious |
| Seepage | |
| Tidal | |
| Before/After Low Tide | ? hours (See Note) |
| Crags Within 600m | |
|
Above Freelunchers Zawn, Below East Gully Groove, Deborah's Overhang, Deborah's Zawn, Eos Zawn, First Sister, Hollow Top, Juniper Wall, Liberty Zawn, Paviland Far Far Far West, Paviland Far Far West, Paviland Far West, Paviland Main Cliff, Paviland Way Out West, Rams Grove Crag, Rams Grove Seaward Crag, Seaspit Small Cove, Second Sister, Sister 2 and Half, Stalking Horse Zawn, Stallion Cove, TV Zawn, The Hole, The Knave, Third Sister, Tooth Fairy | |
PREAMBLE
This crag gets a Serious rating on account of its awkward access and isolation.
ACCESS
Access from the free parking at Pilton Green, (SS 446 871 or 51.561586, -4.242797). On the right-hand side of the B4247, approx. 2 miles before Rhossili. Park on the grass at the edge of the track leading to a farm. Cross the road, bear left and take the public footpath (signposted to Foxhole Slade) through the 'kissing-gate' on the left of the sandy-coloured house (Clifflands). Reach the top of a dry valley after about 20 minutes and numerous gates. (1.34km). At the landward end of the valley is a wooden kissing-gate (SS 438860).
Go through the gate at the top of the valley and descend a few metres to a green-painted steel gate.
After passing through the green gate, the coast path rises steeply then flattens out parallel to the fence line. Follow the coast path for 250m and then head out left to the point overlooking The Knave and the Three Sisters Area.
From here things start to get a little sketchy! You can descend the westward-facing very steep grassy slope to the rocks (approx 5m above sea-level) and then take the exposed scramble left (south) for about 80 metres.
THE ROUTES
- Le Sewage Pudding - E1,5a
Start at the base of the hole. Step onto the slab and move up to a deep slot. Continue slightly left to reach the groove and overhang. Move right onto the subsidiary slab and climb direct to the top. 15. - Raspberry Nipple - VS,5a
Atmospheric. Scramble down the western ridge of the hole until it is possible to traverse back right towards the cave and a belay ledge. From a short crack make a committing reach to jugs on the lip of the overhanging wall. Finish more easily in a direct line. 10m.
First Ascents
- Le Sewage Pudding - M.Richards, J.Williams - May, 1999
- Raspberry Nipple - M.Richards, J.Williams - May, 1999
