Hard Cheese | E10/8c Trad climb at Bright Beck Crag

United Kingdom / England / Westmorland and Furness / Ambleside
UKClimbing.com

Previously an old John Dunne project. Craig chose the name because some other routes at the crag are named after soft cheeses, most notably Peppered Boursin, a Dave Birkett E7.

Steve McClure:

Top of the grade I’m certain!

Contributors
remus
9 contributions since 7th November 2021.
duncancritchley
6 contributions since 28th November 2025.

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Ascents

1 successful ascent recorded.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade

A crucial RP protects the top of the route. Craig found he couldn't place the piece reliably so opted to pre-place it instead. Even clipping the pre-placed wire was so strenuous that he opted to velcro a quickdraw to his t-shirt to speed up the process! [2]

On the RP, Craig noted:

If you go and try 'Hard Cheese' and you want to drop a rope down the crag to do this, then please do not use this 'RP' placement, to clip your abseil rope into – this placement is both fragile and poor. It needs to be preserved for those on the lead. The placement only works with a downwards pull and an outwards loading of an abseil 'deviation' will strip it – many thanks.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/CV9zvGrDdKl/

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2021/11/first_ascent_of_hard_cheese_e10_7a_for_craig_matheson-72926

[3] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2021/11/the_story_of_hard_cheese_e10_7a-72947

[4] Interview with Franco Cookson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o72LLws0gEQ