Back Bowden Doors

United Kingdom / England / Northumberland / Alnwick

See also Bowden Doors.

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/destinations/the_best_of_bowden-16989

Contributors
185 contributions since 6th January 2021.
TdG
19 contributions since 3rd October 2025.
5 contributions since 13th February 2025.

Map

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Climbs

12 recorded climbs.

This timeline is missing some first ascents where the date of the ascent is unknown.
Year Climb Grade Climber Style Date
1990 County Ethics 7C+ Dave Cuthbertson Lead | worked 1990
First ascent.
1991
1992
1993
1994 Transcendence E9 Malcolm Smith Lead | worked 1994
First ascent.
1995 Off the Rocks E8 Nick Dixon Lead | worked 1995
First ascent.
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003 The Bitch 8A+ Andy Earl Boulder | worked 2003
First ascent.
First ascent.

Steve Crowe:

It all went smoothly, me hanging on ab rope taking photos (another camera on a tripod & motor drive, click click click) then suddenly… Andy was barn dooring, somehow he reeled it in dropped a gear and exploded up to the break. Phew but no “Shit!” he was wrong handed with his hand in the slot where his only cam should go and the cam was now out of reach on the wrong side of his harness. Karin [Magog], a tiny thing, way below holding a rope that wasn’t clipped into anything yet was wondering wether to run or spot Andy when he fell. Somehow Andy got a hold of the cam and rammed in where it didn’t really fit and freestyled an untested sequence and thankfully made it to the top. [1]

References

[1] https://climbonline.co.uk/2020/05/05/andy-earl-on-top-of-the-world/

Dead on Arrival E6 Tony Lickes Lead | worked 23rd Nov 2003
First ascent.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012 Potty Mouth 8B Dan Varian Boulder | worked 2012
First ascent.
2013
First ascent.

The day I did it was cold and I managed to top rope it first try so had no excuse other then to go for the lead. The landing isn't too bad and if you fall from low you'll be fine. The wall is so steep, and it has a nasty slab underneath, so the higher you climb the more the fall will hurt, but I luckily never had to test the landing! [1]

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2014/01/adam_watson_climbs_into_purgatory_e8_7b_back_bowden-68671

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvRYIUMQlII

Climb Grade # Recorded Ascents Ascents Recorded Between
Potty Mouth 8B 2 1st January 2012 – 1st January 2013
The Bitch 8A+ 2 1st January 2003 – 1st January 2007
County Ethics 7C+ 5 1st January 1990 – 1st July 2025
Pockets Traverse 7C 2 1st January 1995 – 1st January 1996
Climb Grade # Recorded Ascents Ascents Recorded Between
The Dark Side E9 5 1st October 2003 – 11th August 2018
Transcendence E9 3 1st January 1994 – 9th March 2019
Purgatory E8 4 1st January 2014 – 15th October 2025
Off the Rocks E8 3 1st January 1995 – 16th November 2003
Dead on Arrival E6 2 23rd November 2003 – 11th January 2025
Sigurd E6 1 28th September 2025
The Witch E2 1
Magic Flute E1 1