History: On the spur rising above the suburb of Richmond Hill is a Trig Point -Windsor Castle 298m which is a popular view point & the site of Windsor Crag.
The 2011 earthquakes combined with some access issues have depleted the number of multi-pitch climbs available in Christchurch. Three single pitch climbs were established in 2016 & although it is a small crag an idea evolved to create a user friendly multi -pitch instructional/recreation venue.
This crag has been developed by Ara / Te Pūkenga Institute of Canterbury & Christchurch City Council Rangers
Environment: The climbs have been created without removing native flora. Any further development is prohibited & will result in closure of the crag.
The crag is east facing hence exposed to NE & Southerly winds but sheltered from the NW.
To avoid destroying flora at the top of the cliff climbers must abseil from the top anchors which are positioned below these vulnerable areas.
All pitches have between 3 to 5 bolts & there are 2 ground level anchor practice set ups at the northern end. There are 2 abseil anchor set ups on the top of the crag specifically to enable instructors to supervise proceedings from an abseil.
Bring your camera.
NOTE - 5/2/24 - care required on the second pitch of 'Legoto', as there is a large , hollow block above the second bolt - don't pull on the block too much, it can be avoided by using holds out to the left when climbing past it.
Easiest approach is to park at Richmond Hill car park on the summit road( big shingle lay away by the pine trees and if going up Mt Pleasant Road, turn left at the top and drive for a few minutes as if heading towards Evans Pass ) & follow the upper farm track to the Trig point ,through a couple of gates/stiles along the way ( there will be a farm building to your left- keep rightwards on track).To access the climbs from the Trig,descend via the seaward/northern ( left) end through an obvious, easy rock gully down to the base of the Crag & this will avoid creating erosion at the southern end.
Access is through a working farm on Christchurch Council land & is a popular walking area, leave gates as you find them. The second stile just above the crag has been specially put in by council for ease of access for climbers.
Routes
| Reference | Title | Grade | Length | Pro | Quality | Alert | Operations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | APrelude, 13 | 13 | 20m | ||||
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Shallow chimney
A shallow chimney.
Continue up the shallow chimney to steeper wall trending left. |
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| B | BRavel’s, 16 | 16 | 20m | ||||
Left-hand start is 16, right-hand start is 14.
Gain the arete to the top. |
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| C | CBolero, 14 | 14 | 20m | ||||
Start below left-hand edge of large ledge.
Left across the crack and up. |
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| D | DLegato, 13 | 13 | 20m | ||||
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Gain wide ledge to 1st belay anchor.
Climb slab to large ledge.
Two 120mm bolts & chain have been placed on this pitch to ensure security into bedrock. |
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| E | EConcert Pitch, 16 | 16 | 18m | ||||
Climb wall to hanging belay.
Plan ahead if the second if climbing through from the hanging belay. |
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| F | FBlue Blood, 15 | 15 | 15m | ||||
Start at left end of ledge in short corner next to a belay bolt. |
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| G | GGlass Ceiling, 15 | 15 | 12m | ||||
Start from the right end of ledge. |
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| H | HBartizan, 17 | 17 | 12m | ||||
Start right of steep rib. |
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Images
