Monoblock | 8A Boulder problem at Pex Hill Quarry

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].

References

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

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

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]

References

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

References

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

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

References

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

References

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