Monoblock | 8A Boulder problem at Pex Hill Quarry

The peak of old school, vert micro crimping? One of the hardest problems in the UK when it was established and rarely repeated to this day.

Contributors: remus

Pics + Vids

James Pearson
Added at 21:01 on 24 January 2022

Ascents

6 recorded ascents.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Joe Healey Boulder (Worked) 1985
First ascent.

A very impressive ascent for it's time, one of the hardest pieces of climbing in the country.

Date is a guess based on Andy Popp suggesting it was done in the "mid to late eighties" [1] and another suggestion it was 1985 [2].

[1] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8692.msg135431.html#msg135431

[2] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8692.msg204230.html#msg204230

Phil Davidson Boulder (Worked) 1985

Second ascent a week or so after the first ascent.

I did repeat Monoblock numerous times over the years but now look at it in complete disbelief; the route is rarely climbed and has had just three ascenionists [as of ~2007]. [3]

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rocktalk/pex_hill_question-205344?v=1#x3001358

[2] https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8692.msg653394.html#msg653394

[3] Cheshire and Merseyside Sandstone 2012, The BMC

Andy Popp Boulder (Worked) 2001

Andy used a top rope for the top out as it was very wet.

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rocktalk/pex_hill_question-205344?v=1#x3003787

https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8692.msg653384.html#msg653384

Mike Adams Boulder (Worked) 17th Feb 2008

https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8692.msg135401.html#msg135401

Pete Chadwick Top Rope (Worked)

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rocktalk/pex_hill_question-205344?v=1#x3003787

James Pearson Boulder (Worked)