Isn’t it just cragging near the sea? - Sennen

We’ve been here before. Put a date in the diary a couple of months ago for a climbing trip in the mountains, then with 2 days to go, find the forecast looks wet or unsettled. And so it was this time, a planned 3 days in the Lakes having big days out on classic rock routes dashed by a change in weather after 6 weeks of drought! Same story in Wales. Mrs L wasn’t interested in hearing our climbing plans sob-story again.


“What about Cornwall?”

“In the summer holidays? Traffic, 6 hour drive, hard to car camp in laybys. And it’s just cragging by the sea isn’t it.” 


As we set off to Sennen, it felt like we were settling for a second rate trip compared to the mountain atmosphere we normally thrive in. We were very wrong.

It is a long way from Leicestershire. It is harder to car-camp. Yet despite it’s shorter stature, even Sennen is anything but simply cragging by the sea.


Waking up to a view of the Atlantic at the very end of England was a joy (if not so much being disturbed by a tractor moving boats around at 5:30), the walk-in short but the wild approach to the crag setting us up for the day to come, here and later at Chair Ladder. 


Yep, you need to get through there to reach the route.
There’s something far more all-encompassing about climbing on sea cliffs; not being able to see the route until you reach the bottom, often by then committed to climbing out, the constant taunting of the swell and waves reminding you that the tide sets you a deadline and nature is firmly in control. I can often feel quite at peace climbing in the mountains, but here I simply felt exhilarated from the off, scrambling between occasional spray bursts across the sea-level shelves leading to Demo Route.


Demo Route - HS 4b


John about to look like a rock legend
It’s short but fun, designed for showing off. Climbed by running both pitches together, John showed that staying on the edges of wide cracks/chimneys usually pays off, making a stylish display up to the overhang. Secure underclinging handholds mean you can boldly lean back and and get a good view up ahead, but don’t let that distract from spotting the secure footholds that aid progress around the overhanging flake, leading to a slab full of useful features for feet to finish. 

From the top, enjoy the contrast between your second rising steadily from the spray, whilst behind you, beachgoers and pasty eaters relax at Sennen Cove.


We managed to squeeze Intermediate Route in also, wishing we could spend a whole day here, but we had ambitious plans, so made the 15 minute journey over to

Porthgwarra for Chair Ladder for lower tides. As we enjoyed a local pasty with a cup of tea, we witnessed a large group of Marines finishing a morning’s climbing and setting off from the car park on a run carrying large rocks. It seemed apt to meet them having just done a route first climbed by the Royal Marines Cliff Assault Wing (as many were at Sennen) but we were pleased to see them leaving the crag alone to us.
Location: Sennen, Penzance TR19, UK

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