This site is an attempt to document the recent surge in vandalism that seems to be occuring on the Southern Sandstone outcrops at present.

This would seem to be a worrying trend. There have been more holds breaking, chipping, and general damage this year than any other year on the Southern Sandstone outcrops. The increase in general malpractice and ignorance of the most basic of ethics is increasing dangerously to the point where there will soon be very few crags in climbable condition.

If you see rope malpractice [not extending ropes sufficiently over the edge of crags], chipping, littering, or vandalism taking place, please have a word with the offending person(s). Otherwise these visitors will not learn to treat the crags with respect, and ruin it for future uses. Unfortunately it seems to be the case that, although suggestions have been made to offending climbers [especially in respect to rope malpractice], they do not actually change their set-up. The rock in these cases was visibly being worn away, on already severely damaged routes. This is not acceptable, and must not continue.

:: Vandalism includes chipping, excessive brushing, grafitti, rope malpractice ::

If you see any vandalism that has taken place recently, please report it using the 'contact us' form so that it can be added to the database. If you have any questions regarding the database, please feel free to send us an email at sandstone.vandalism@carponline.freeserve.co.uk

Ultimately, we aim to present this information to those who are in a position of power, to show them the extent of the outrageous vandalism occuring on Southern Sandstone at present. This may be the BMC, owners/wardens of the outcrops, local walls, BMC Area representatives - people and institutions who will be able to make the current situation more well-known, and maybe rectify the situation. If this ultimately results in the closure and removal of access to outcrops, then unfortunately climbers in the South East will have to admit that they only have themselves to blame for not treating the rock with the respect it deserves. Southern Sandstone is a fragile, finite resource, that needs to be preserved, not destroyed.