Shropshire climbing

Crag: Stiperstones, Shropshire
Routes: Fossil Arete (M:sol), Central Route (M:sol), Original Route (M:sol), Cranberry Wall (M:sol)
Crag: Gaer Stone, Shropshire
Routes: West Arete (D:sol), South West Arete (VD:sol), East Wall (M:sol), East Arete (M:sol)
I'd never been to the Stiperstones, so they made an obvious target for my Shropshire bike ride over the Burway. It goes without saying that these crags are not exactly classic venues, but I liked the idea of combining cycling, climbing and hill running into one active morning. After two steep drags (above), I left the bike at the Stiperstones car park and jogged up to Cranberry Rock (the only 'legal' crag on the Stiperstones). This has four extremely easy scrambles facing Wales. Later, after the ride back over Asterton Bank, I jogged up to Hope Bowdler Hill east of Church Stretton (recognising the path immediately from the climax of the classic Cardington Cracker fell race route). The Gaer Stone is a weird pinnacle of rock half way up that is very noticeable on the race as it goes right past it. There are no real lines apart from two vague 'aretes' but again it was fun just to scramble around and complete the four supposed 'routes'. Shame it's not a bit more coherent as the rock is interesting and quite good - reminded me strongly of Esterel and Blavet (the rock that is, not the quality of the routes!) Had lunch overlooking Caer Caradog, then a short hill run before heading for home.