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Rock Climbing on the Isle of Man

Ethan 'Beef' Jackson talks us through the highs and lows of being a climber on the island.

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I have been climbing on the Isle of Man for about 10 years. In that time I have learnt a great deal of respect for both the sport and the climbers I have met along the way.

Rock climbing like other extreme sports, takes a lot of discipline and determination.

Not only do you have to maintain high levels of strength and fitness, but you also have to keep a focussed mind.

Ethan Jackson climbs at the Chasms

There are lots of climbing areas around the island, these include, The Chasms, Spaldrick, Spanish Head, Santon Pinnacle, Groudle and Marine Drive, to mention a few.

Along with these there are numerous bouldering areas, which include Peel Beach, Scarlet Point and Santon Gully.

The Chasms is my favourite area to go climbing on the Isle of Man. It has so many routes to conquer, both new and old.

"The best part of climbing on the island is being in places that few people have witnessed."
Ethan Jackson

Along with my climbing partners, Doug Hall and Lee Quayle, we are constantly looking for the next challenge and this area always seems to deliver.

Some of the climbs which have been put up on new crags include Railing Wall, Prime Evil Wall and Spanish Head.

There are also the classic routes which include Grip City Dude, Judge Dread and Torque Test.

Climbing gives you a unique view of the island.

From the top of Sugar Loaf Rock or dangling from Bradda Head buy your fingertips, you get the sense of being out there and using the island for what it is best for, being outdoors and having fun.

There are a couple of places to go to start climbing. The Adventure Centre and Adventurous Experiences will give you a good introduction to basic climbing.

last updated: 04/04/2008 at 12:16
created: 20/07/2007

Have Your Say

Have you tried rock climbing on the island?

Hana
used to live on the island and have since taken climbing up (now i live in the peak district) i'm going home soon and fancy some climbing when i get there. can't wait to see the island from a different perpective!!!

Graham
I'm a regular visitor to the Isle of Man,would love to do some climbing here. Can anyone point me in the right direction for a crag [email protected]

nat nat humphreys
i was wondering where coul i go camping over here ??x

Gavin and Jen
Hi Ethan, Long time no see, hope things are going well. Good article, photos are great too. Have been looking for you on facebook etc. If you get this look us up.

Mike MacDonald
Glad to see Torque Test remains popular - an obvious line.

Geoff Gartrell
As the person who wrote the wee climbing guide back in the 70's I am still interested in the progress of climbing on the Isle of Man Any comments about the routes I put up will be welcome bearing in mind we just stood at the foot of the cliff and said that'll go with frightening consequenses sometimes. My E-mail address is [email protected]

Colin
As a Manxman who knows the Island well am a bit puzzled that no ones mentioned how loose most of the rocks are at the Chasms and the fact that even though it is an extremely beautiful place to climb it is also very dangerous.

Geoff Gartrell
Now in my 73rd year and still very fit it makes me happy that the hard work I and David Jones (still on the IOM at Onchan) put in in the 70's is still bearing fruit I have happy memories of the island and of the great friends I made there. Will try to return one day! Ps Any one to contact me I will be please to correspond by e-mail

jay
i have yet to try climbing on the island, at the moment i live in the uk and am hoping o move to the I O M at some point next year, i used to climb a lot but stopped about 8 years ago and im now trying to get back into it. does anyone know if the I O M has an indoor wall ?

Bill
Really cool article, like the alternative culture articles on the site, keep at it!!!!

wayne
hey boys, i still have a list of many routes done in the last fifteen years and never put in the guide, even got a couple put up by adam wainright and big george smith !!!

Chris
Ive been looking for people to climb/ boulder with for quite some time now. I have all my own gear for trad as well as a bouldering mat, if anyone is interested in going out sometime let me know at [email protected]

John
Used to climb on the island every Sunday morning until about twelve years ago - missing it but kids get in the way! Looking forward to hearing more about the new crags.

Tammy
Hi ya,I am in the IOM until June and would like to climb on a regular basis but can't seem to find any climbers! Can you help?

Laura
Thanks for writing this. We've been desparately looking for some climbing on the island. We used to climb at Castle Climbing Wall in London. Is there a good wall somewhere on the island to start with?

Steve kennaugh
Great article Beef!

arthur
well done ethan a great advert for the island dont tell the tourist board

Kylie
How do I get into climbing?

Mark (BBC)
Hi Geoff, I couldn't publish your address but feel free to post your email. Thanks for your comments.

Geoff Gartrell
I am the originator of the 1970's guide. I would like to know how you find my route grading. Also have you tried Maughold head. Some fun climbs there.

Gari, Isle of Man
The Chasms overhang pic reminded me of the USA where they'd have ropes and fences and a big brown sign saying that it is dangerous to step off the cliffs. lol

Ron
Doug Hall is a total legend.

Madge K
Stunning photographs

Jim
I used to climb at the Chasms but I was never as good as Ethan.

John Hoy
Ethan 'the spider' Jackson makes it look so easy!

Matty
I want a go. Great article, good to see sports like climbing and surfing getting some publicity. So much more interesting than football and the Isle of Man is perfect for them.

Ethan Jackson
hi paul. doug , lee and myself are working on an update on a guide. should be up soon.

Paul Rigby
Any chance of an online guide to some of the routes you guys have put up?

Paul Rigby
Was on a health studies placement on the island last summer. Beef and Doug kind enough to show us a few places to climb, climbing good, locations brilliant, thanks again lads.

paul
Went there, went to supposed best venues and thought it was loose and falling down, with nothing to compare to the mainland. Even Mick Fowler would get scared on some the routes there.

Jessica Young
Looks great fun.The scenery looks stunning.

Sarah
The Chasms look so beautiful in the pictures. I bet the Island looks amazing from some of these places.

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