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Rylstone is the name given to the long broken escarpment on the hillside above the village of Rylstone, some five miles north of Skipton. There is a lot of rock here, ranging from the large buttress beneath Rylstone Cross and the main crag nearby, to numerous small isolated boulders stretching along the edge of the moor to Cracoe Memorial. The boulders give some superb climbing. Roof problems abound, and there are plenty of more technical slabs and walls as well. Being a long way from the road, the boulders are usually deserted.

The Scenery

Rylstone is one of the most scenic Yorkshire grit crags, with fine views across Barden Moor, Wharfedale and the Malham hills.
The Boulders, Rylstone
The Boulders   1 photo 1 0 comments 0
The boulders from the approach path.
The Crag, Rylstone
The Crag   1 photo 1 0 comments 0
The main crag from the moorland path past the boulders.

Topo Overview

There is a huge amount of rock here. The first area reached from the approach is a small quarried buttress with the route High Flying Adored. Beyond this are three much larger buttresses which contain most of the long routes at Rylstone. Scattered around these buttresses are numerous smaller boulders, some of which have worthwhile bouldering. However the best bouldering area is the series of isolated boulders scatted across the moor beyond these crags.

High Flying Adored

A small buttress with a large roof in its upper half.
High Flying Adored (5), Rylstone
High Flying Adored 5 (V1)   2 photos 2 1 comment 1 1 vote 1
An excellent highball problem. Climb up a rib to reach the right side of the roof, then traverse left on jugs until it's possible to rockover onto the top.
Unnamed Problem (HVS), Rylstone
HVS   1 photo 1 0 comments 0

Topo Expand Solo Games

This area consists of several large boulders and buttresses. The left-most buttress has a blank undercut vertical wall, with a prominent short flake crack (For My Next Trick). Across the gully is a buttress two high, narrow slabs, and a large block further down the hillside. Finally, a gully further right has a worthwhile problem.

Topo Expand Moorland Boulder

This boulder lies on the moorland side of the wall. The central arete is excellent, and there are more good problems either side of it. Unfortunately the rock is a bit gritty and needs further cleaning, and the landing is usually flooded after extended periods of rain.
Unnamed Problem (5+), Rylstone
5+ (V2)   1 photo 1 0 comments 0 0 votes 0
The right side of the arete, with the option of a sit-start. Excellent, with a tricky top.

Topo Expand Distant Gem

This solitary buttress has a steep front face, split by a crack. It's a bit too big and broken to be of much interest.

Topo Expand Bondi Beach

Further down the hillside from the previous area is this collection of boulders. There are some nice problems here, with plenty in the lower grades, and a couple of highball problems.

Topo Expand The Pinnacle

This big pinnacle is fairly obvious. It's most notable for the slab-padding problems on the front face, which feel quite scary despite a good landing. Descent from the top is via the steeper but short east side, and is not completely trivial!

Topo Expand The Roof

This boulder just beyond the pinnacle has a big, jug-covered roof.

Topo Expand Cocoa Team Special

This huge boulder is easily recognisable, with the hanging crack of Cocoa Team Special being an obvious challenge.
Cocoa Team Special (7c), Rylstone
Cocoa Team Special 7c (V9)   6 photos 6 4 comments 4 1 vote 1
The hanging crack in the overhanging wall on the Rylstone Cross side of the boulder.
Inner Reaches (7a+), Rylstone
Inner Reaches 7a+ (V7)   3 photos 3 3 comments 3 0 votes 0
The big steep east side of the boulder has a big crack. This problem climbs the right side of the arete.

Topo Expand The Outcrop

The next rocky outcrop is a short distance away. It's quite extensive, being quite high and broken in the centre, with smaller buttresses either side. The best bouldering is on the left-most buttress - undercut and split by a vertical crack, there are several problems with optional sit-starts, and scope for traverses. The central buttress is too high and broken to be of bouldering interest, apart from a short arete at the left end. Further right another undercut boulder may have some worthwhile bouldering, but is not detailed here.

Topo Expand Poetry in Motion

The final area is on the moorland side of the wall, not far short of the War Memorial. An obvious clean high buttress of excellent rock, with superb climbing - the best at Rylstone.
Moorland Apparition (5), Rylstone
Moorland Apparition 5 (V1)   1 photo 1 0 comments 0 1 vote 1
The left arete of the main buttress, with the assistance of the wide crack.
Poetry In Motion (6a), Rylstone
Poetry In Motion 6a (V3)   4 photos 4 2 comments 2 2 votes 2
The superb arete, climbed on its left side.
The White Doe (6a), Rylstone
The White Doe 6a (V3)   3 photos 3 5 comments 5 2 votes 2
The centre of the slab, with a long reach to an enormous pocket.