Hi! My name is Sam, I'm a climber and an amateur photographer!
Rock Climbing is my first love, it’s been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I’ve sought after becoming the best climber I can be primarily on outdoor rock, but ultimately, climbing for me is about having fun and adventures!
In May 2019, at 19 years old, I had a climbing accident at my local crag sustaining bilateral calcaneal fractures and a broken back. The past year has been spent overcoming this traumatic event but now my fitness is on the rise and I’ve been getting back to my roots in climbing.
Southern Sandstone is my home, I’m fascinated by the Sandstone environment and it’s unique features that provide some fantastic climbing. Albeit short and soft, there’s something special about the rock here that is often overlooked and consequently it is often mistreated.
Join me as I make a comeback to climbing, exploring Sandstone’s best kept secrets and I’ll share with you the history of Sandstone climbing, the unique environment Sandstone provides for plants and animals, and my adventures further afield.
About The Rock
Southern Sandstone rock is 135 million years old and located within the High Weald AONB of Kent and East Sussex. Erosion caused by weathering creates a variety of interesting rock features unique to Sandstone. Today, erosion by man can be seen to have an effect on all popular Sandstone crags.
Climbers have been getting their kicks on these rocks for a century and the earliest guidebook for climbing produced was in 1934. However, climbing can be incredibly destructive to Southern Sandstone and it’s important to have an understanding of the Code of Practice before venturing out on the rocks.
The local climbers here have a unique set of ethics in place to protect the soft nature of the rock. It’s these ethics that make Sandstone climbing a little more interesting…