The Aisle

Gower

Fall Bay to Mewslade

GR SS

BOLTING POLICY

No bolting.

PREAMBLE

This is the obvious low promontory running out to sea between the Cathedral Wall and Gullys areas. It is detached from the mainland and it is possible to pass behind it by a narrow gully.

DESCENTS

Descent is by scrambling down either side.

THE ROUTES

1. North Edge 12m VS,4c
   The arete on the north (landward) end of the Aisle.
   
   
2. North Edge Direct E1 5a 12m
   North Edge, but climbed direct with a nice technical sequence of layaways to land a cheval on a notch just below more shattered easy ground.
   
   
3. Black Corner 12m D
   The groove 5m right of North Edge.
   
   
4. Twin Corner Left 12m D
   The left-hand of two grooves, 5m to the right of Black Corner.
   
   
5. Twin Corner Right 12m VD
   The right-hand groove.
   
   Behind The Aisle is a hole. Go through this to reach the next routes. They can also be accessed by abseil.
   
   
6. Barefoot Acrobat HS 4b 10m
   Above the back side of the arch over the cave is a steep juggy arete (about 10m left of Sump it Up) leading up to a groove. Strenuous but all on good holds and perfect rock.
   
   
7. Sump It Up 12m E1,5c ?
   On the left (west) wall is a grey left-facing hanging corner. Gain it via easy flakes below and make a delicate move up into it to exit.
   
   
8. Boom Boom Boris 15m E4,6b
   A hard and bold pitch. On the right wall, start 3m left of Treasure. Climb the wall on pockets to an overhang. Move out left and finish, crux.
   
   
9. Treasure 15m E3,5c *
   The obvious thin crack in the east wall of the hole.
   
   
10. Zoom, Zoom, Doris 12m E4,6a ?
    The wall right of Treasure. Pull right into a short right facing corner 3m right of Treasure. Move up over the roof and finish up the wall above.
    
    
11. Sixteen Hooves 14m E1,5b *
    Start right of Zoom Zoom Doris underneath the arched roof. Pull strenuously through bulges to the roof (thread and a good wedged rest). Resume battle by a leftward exit and finish more easily up the corner (past another thread).
    
    

FIRST ASCENTS

1. J.Talbot 00.00.1963
   
2. Nick Taylor 29.8.2004
   
3. J.Talbot 00.00.1963
   
4. J.Talbot 00.00.1963
   
5. J.Talbot 00.00.1963
   
6. Nick Taylor 29.8.2004
   
7. M.Crocker 05.12.1998
   
8. A.Sharp, O.Jones 00.00.1986
   
9. A.Sharp, J.Harwood 14.04.1984
   
10. M.Crocker 05.12.1998
    
11. Nick Taylor 10.06.2006