Hunter's Stones is a collection of boulders in Stainburn forest, not far from Almscliff in North Yorkshire. Recent tree-felling operations have opened out this area, which previously was rather dank and green. The best problems - Hunter's Roof and many of the problems on the X Wall - are worthy of classic status, but they're all hard; the easier stuff is less impressive.
The Antenna Area
The first boulder lies close to the Antenna.
Resonance
6b
(V4)
1
0
Start on the low break and climb through the cave trending rightwards.
Wavelength
6c+
(V5)
3
2
0
Sit-start at lowest break and make a few hard moves to the slopey break, then top out.
Frequency
5+
(V2)
2
0
0
The wall right of the arete.
Unnamed Boulder
Near the trig point boulder is a smaller boulder with twin aretes.
6c
(V5)
1
0
0
The left arete from a sit-start.
6c
(V5)
0
0
The right arete, from a sit-start.
5+
(V2)
0
0
Slab right of the aretes.
X Wall
This impressive wall has the best climbing at Hunter's, with the possible exception of Hunter's Roof. From the trig point boulder, head away from the car park into the trees and follow a path alongside a wall. After about five minutes an impressively smooth, gently overhanging wall appears on the right.
By Hook or by Crook
7a
(V6)
2
3
1
The left arete of the wall.
7a+
(V7)
0
0
The left arete from a sit-start.
Hunter's Wall
7c
(V9)
0
0
Thin wall right of By Hook from standing, avoiding the left arete.
X-Calibre
8a
(V11)
2
1
0
The centre of the wall from a sit-start. Start on crimps on the low break, going up left to an X-shaped hold, then up left again to crimps below the top.
8a+
(V12)
0
0
A harder eliminate version of X-Calibre. Sit-start, gain the X, then dyno for the top.
7b
(V8)
2
0
0
The stand-up version of X-Calibre, starting with a pop for the X with the right hand. Going for the X with the left hand is harder - 7c. Starting on the X hold (if you're really tall or stack mats) is 7b-ish.
Lockdown
7c+
(V10)
3
1
0
Start from sitting at a big hole and go straight up the wall past a small pocket and crimp.
7c
(V9)
0
0
The standing-start version of Lockdown.
Shothole Wall
7c
(V9)
0
0
The blunt arete, past a small pocket and a pebble scar.
7c+
(V10)
0
0
Shothole Wall from a sit start in the big pocket left of the arete.
Shothole Arete
6b
(V4)
0
0
The right arete is relatively easy.
Curlicue
3
(V0-)
0
0
An easy mantel on the far right.
