Basic HTML Version
Deep Water Soloing
q
Routes that have been classed as deep water solos
are indicated by the splash-down icon. These routes
can be trad routes or sport routes, but some may also only
have ever been done as deep water solos.
Little gear is needed for the actual climbing, apart from
a good supply of spare boots and chalk bags in case of
a wetting. For some of the routes it is necessary for an
abseil to be made to reach sea level, for which you will
need a harness and an abseil device (these should be left
on the abseil rope when you set off on your solo so that
you aren't weighed down if you end up in the water).
Deep Water Solo Grade
In addition to their normal sport grade, deep water solos
are also given an S-grade at the start of the route descrip-
tion, this gives an indication of the seriousness of soloing
the route under optimum conditions.
Routes given a trad grade that have also been climbed as
deep water solos have been given a sport grade in blue
next to the S grade (the sport grade is commonly used in
deep water soloing).
An S-grade is
not
a green light to go ahead at any time
for a deep water solo, as many factors will alter the
seriousness of a route, such as the depth of water, height
above water, sea state, strong currents, people in the sea
below, swimming ability and water temperature.
The S-grade definitions are:
S0 -
Can be undertaken at most tide states with normally
plenty of water under all parts of the route. Low crux
sections and an easy exit from the water.
S1 -
Needs careful consideration of tides to ensure there
is sufficient water under the route. Some climbing may
not be above water. May have hard moves high up and/or
some poor rock.
S2 -
As for S1 but it may require high spring tides for suffi-
cient water. Possible that water maybe too shallow for a safe
entry. High hard sections. For the very experienced only.
S3 -
Shallow water solos which are never really safe.
Swanage
Lulworth
Portland
40
The DeepWater Soloing Safety Checklist
1)
Always check tides before starting. Remember a neap high tide may not actually be
that high. Check which routes need high spring tides carefully.
2)
Never go deep water soloing on your own in case you get into difficulties in the water.
3)
Before starting, always check the fall zone for ledges, reefs, boulders or any other
environmental dangers. Just because a route has been soloed, it doesn't mean that
there is always deep water beneath every section of it.
4)
Check for exits from the water should you need them.
5)
Keep an eye out for weather changes; a sudden change in wind speed or direction
can quickly create rough and dangerous conditions.
6)
In spring and early summer the water is very cold and it will suck the life out of you
in no time at all. Make provision for getting dry and warm quickly if necessary.
Dorset Climbing
Deep Water Soloing