ClimberMayJune2020

This neat collection of gritstone boulders is set close to the path on

the moorland above the Skyline area of The Roaches in Staffordshire.

Whilst not extensive in size it provides more than enough for a good

session and in a very peaceful and beautiful environment. This alone

plus the quality of the problems makes it well worth a visit in my opinion.

DOXEY’S POOL

ROACHES Words and photography by David Simmonite

AROUND THE BLOC

THE BEST IN BRITISH BOULDERING

64 MAYJUN 2020 http://www.climber.co.uk

There is an assortment of 24 problems to

take on from Font 3+ to 7c, the majority of

which are Font 6 and below, and topped

with a couple of gritstone classics to

sweeten the cherry pie. The rock is

well-featured with good friction, cracks,

fl akes, slopers, the odd pocket and ripples to

help you in your upwards quest. A couple of

words of caution though, the rock can be a

little soft so please do not over-brush and,

secondly, the mostly fl at landings can be

damp after periods of wet weather – it’s

worth considering a tarp for under your

bouldering mat or mats in these circum-

stances. Either that or you may have to settle

for a dirty, soggy mat to carry back to the

car, not nice.

Doxey’s can be reached in around 15-20

minutes, either from the Upper Tier of The

Roaches or from the (somewhat limited)

parking further along at Roach End. You will

rarely see another soul apart from walkers

taking in the fresh air atop the Skyline edge

and taking in the stunning views across the

Cheshire Plain from the edge itself.

Bouderers also get a great view of the wild

moorland behind the boulders where you

can pick out the tops of other bouldering

delights in the distance: Newstones,

Baldstone, Gib Tor and the backside of

Ramshaw Rocks.

DOXEY’S POOL ITSELF

This dark and enigmatic pool is caught up in

folklore and legend with something of a

sinister reputation. Incredibly the pool is at