Wimberry Rocks is amongst the finest edges on Peak Gritstone. Viewed from below, its architecture is stunning — a series of deep, powerful grooves and axe-like arêtes piercing the skyline like the serrated back of some fossilized dinosaur. Closer up, the purity and beauty of many of Wimberry’s lines becomes apparent: perfect cracks, and blank-looking faces and arêtes, the latter only made possible by the presence of numerous tiny pebbles and ripples.
In recent years Wimberry has been the scene of some of the most audacious ascents on grit — routes of mind-blowing seriousness and difficulty, which only the most accomplished should even contemplate attempting. Ultimately though, whichever grade you climb, this is not a crag for the faint-hearted — a full day here will leave you battered and bruised, though (hopefully!) very fulfilled.
Conditions and Aspect: Wimberry’s northerly orientation and bold hilltop position make it the perfect summer crag, though even then it can still be green. Barring even more drastic climate change than we are currently experiencing, during the winter months (November to March) the crag is strictly off-limits. Conversely, even at this altitude there can be days of perfect stillness in mid-summer and on these occasions midge repellent is an absolute must. Unfortunately, Wimberry’s short season means certain routes quickly become dirty and may need a good clean before being attempted.
