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Mother Carey's Kitchen

International > Europe > United Kingdom > Wales > Pembroke > Stackpole & Lydstep

Description

AKA "Mother Scary's", it lives up to the reputation!

The first thing you need to know is that the routes are good, really good. The next should be self-evident: it's steep. Well, the Space Face and the West Face are. In fact, they're really steep. Third, it's committing. All routes are accessed by abseil, and are very tidal. You can expect to be stay dry at the bottom for about 2 1/2 hours either side of low tide.  Fourth, the area is divided into four areas, each with its own character: Western Face, Great Wall, South Face and Space Face.  At low tide AND CALM SEAS the South Face rap from an obvious block provides access for all four areas.  (I can attest that calm seas are essential to a safe experience in this zone.). 

There's too many classics to list in the description, but Rock Idol (E1) is a must, as is Brazen Buttress at E2. The latter is only vertical, but be prepared for a good pump! Deep Space (E2) is an unusual route, and Zeppelin (E3) is outrageously steep. Anything on the Space Face is worth doing (and steep).

Getting There

From Pembroke, take the A4319 East towards Tenby. Passing through the village of Lydstep, take a right just before the pub (approaching from Tenby, turn left just after the pub). Follow the poorly-maintained road round a sharp left turn, then take a right up a steep road to a car park at its end.

From the car park, walk South to the Coast then turn left (East) and follow the coast path for about 400m. You should see the White Tower to the East: a distinctive saddle-shaped promontory with a sheer cliff at its seaward end.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 1
Zeppelin
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 3
Rock Idol
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 1
Joyous Gard
Trad
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
 1
Meridian
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 1
Sunsmoke
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 1
The Cracks
Trad
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 1
Threadneedle Street
Trad 3 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 5
Brazen Buttress
Trad 2 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 1
Herod
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Zeppelin
 1
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad 2 pitches
Rock Idol
 3
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Joyous Gard
 1
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Meridian
 1
5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c Trad
Sunsmoke
 1
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad
The Cracks
 1
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Threadneedle Street
 1
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 3 pitches
Brazen Buttress
 5
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Herod
 1
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Straight gate/Rock Idol area
[Hide Photo] Straight gate/Rock Idol area
Star Gate area with the Space Face poking up above a little headland
[Hide Photo] Star Gate area with the Space Face poking up above a little headland
Brazen Buttress area
[Hide Photo] Brazen Buttress area