Extreme Rock

Extreme Rock is a companion volume to Hard Rock. It covers harder routes - from E1 to E9.

It has been out of print for many years now and unfortunately the plates from which it was printed were accidently destroyed, so it is unlikely to be reprinted again in its original format. To add insult to injury 4000 unbound copies were pulped, meaning that of the original 8000 print run, only around 4000 were ever sold. Second hand copies change hands for up to £400, so if you see an old copy going cheap, snap it up!

Extreme Rock Routes List

First Edition of Extreme Rock
published 1987 (Diadem)

The cover shows Dave Cuthbertson on Just a Little Tease (E5) Glen Nevis
Photo: Ed Grindley

Extreme Rock Compleaters

James 'Caff' McHaffie (son of well-known Lakeland climber, the late Ray McHaffie) finally achieved the first Extreme Rock tick in 2021, his last route being Revelations at Raven Tor (his first was Bitter Oasis climbed in 1997). Cougar and Controlled Burning were most affected by rock fall (although T Rex and Return of the Natives are now too), both being a few grades harder than when originally done, with Cougar being E6 and Controlled E7." You can read an interview with Caff about his amazing achievement on the BMC Website.

The stopper route of course is Indian Face which narrows the list of contenders down to a handful! Have you completed all the Extreme Rock Routes, or do you know anyone who has? Or have you just got some comments? If so please let us know!