Conveniently situated near the graveyard of the Morewenstow Church, Henna is the highest precipice on the Culm coast and the most frightening. The only route up the main cliff might well be available when other crags hereabouts become too overcrowded. A huge boulder lies ominously beneath the central fault-line. Terrordactyls, ice-screws, stakes and a strong belief in one’s immortality are the main requirements for an ascent. After pitch 2 retreat would be at best extremely difficult or at worst terminally easy. [1]
.
The ultimate shale horror. [2]
[1] Peters, I (1989). North Devon and Cornwall. United Kingdom: Climbers' Club.
[2] Hope, D., Wilkinson, B. (2000). North Devon and Cornwall. United Kingdom: Climbers' Club.
6 successful ascents recorded.
| Climber | Style | Ascent Date | Suggested Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mick Fowler | Alternate Leads | onsight | 7th Jul 1979 | ||
| First ascent. | ||||
| Frank Ramsey | Alternate Leads | onsight | 1989 | ||
| With Dave Thomas. | ||||
| Dave Turnbull | Lead | onsight | Before 1st Jan 1992 | ||
| Fourth ascent. | ||||
References[1] Mountain Issue 140 (1991), page 16 /library/11326/mountain-140 |
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| Ben Bransby | Lead | onsight | 17th Jul 2002 | ||
| Martin Perry | Second | onsight | 2007 | ||
| With Dave Thomas. | ||||
|
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| Dave Thomas | Lead | onsight | 2007 | ||
| With Martin Perry. | ||||
|
Memorably captured in the film Hard XS. [2]
References[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/nine_moments_in_the_making_of_hardxs-757 |
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