A 'carving' at Hetchell Crags.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 1:59 pm

The photo (taken September 5 2012) shows a 'carving' on a rock at Hetchell Crags. I have often been to the Crags (which are in Leeds) but I don't recall ever spotting this 'carving' before. It does not seem natural so I wonder if anyone knows anything about it? Though it is a bit weathered it does not look as if it could be old enough as say the Cup & Ring marked rocks on Ilkley Moor. It probably is recent but it is more elaborate than just someone's rough attempt at carvings that are commonly seen on rocks everywhere.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 2:09 pm

This photo shows the location of the rock a bit better. It's not the safest place to have done a carving. The carving was more distinct by eye than it appears in the photos.

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 2:24 pm

Roman Roads etc.http://pompocaliandhetchell.co.uk/#/rom ... 4549107425

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 2:47 pm

Thanks for the links Brunel. I always find Pompocali to be extremely interesting and am surprised that, as far as I know, there is still no consensus as to what it was. The very active spring just above the old ford on what is thought to be on the line of a Roman road always runs nice and cool even in long dry condtions. The tall Hetchell Crags will be a surprise to anyone that does not know of them and come across by chance. Several types of butterflies in the area on September 5th but very few in numbers. I saw a very red looking one that was flying fast (or at least being carried in the breeze fast) but I could not get a good look at it. I wonder what type of butterfly it was? Edit added later. Thinking about it, the red butterfly was probably a Peacock butterfly but in moving fast and not that near me I likely only noticed its dominantly red colour. On checking my typing I found I had typed one of the "butterfly" as "butterly". An 'utterly butterly butterfly' eh! Well being red, probably not! I once had a parrot but it could not tell talk from mutter (OK I lie, I never had a parrot). I'll stop now before you all lose the will to live.

Caron · Post by **Caron** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 7:07 pm

You made me laugh!I've never heard of the place so enjoyed reading about it.At first I thought your pic was a fossil. Interesting....

liits · Post by **liits** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 7:57 pm

When it comes to rock carvings, Caron's relations have been at it too [overlooking Ilkley].

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 10:09 pm

I doubt it is, as it would likely have been noted before, but it almost looks like ogham:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OghamProbably just someone in the mid 20th century messing around.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 10:44 pm

BarFly wrote: I doubt it is, as it would likely have been noted before, but it almost looks like ogham:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OghamProbably just someone in the mid 20th century messing around. I suspect you are right BarFly. It is weathered but not as much as I would expect if some Roman had done the carving. Shame really. Hetchell Crags does have climbers, so perhaps a bored or mischievous climber cut the marks some years back.

grumpytramp · Post by **grumpytramp** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 11:39 pm

They look suspiciously like tooling marks, where someone has been quarrying sandstone blocks by prising along a line of weakness (which may explain the horizontal slab along the bedding plane below the marks) Leodian wrote: I suspect you are right BarFly. It is weathered but not as much as I would expect if some Roman had done the carving. Shame really. Hetchell Crags does have climbers, so perhaps a bored or mischievous climber cut the marks some years back. As an aside I used to do a bit of climbing at Hetchell in the 80's and its home to a real gritstone classic 'Reach for a Peach' by Al Manson. The 3rd Edition of the Yorkshire Gritstone guide has a classic route descriptionReach for a Peach, 8m, E4 P36c Desperate! Rockover for the obscene green orifice. One finger undercut this and powerglide for two nipples miles above. Pinch these, think of England and execute the final moves. A route for technical wizards and incorrigable perverts alike. NB The crux is now harder since the better nipple suffered an unfortunate mastectomy

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 06 Sep, 2012 11:59 pm

I like that description grumpytramp. I've only rarely seen anyone climbing when I've been there but the main high face does look like it could be a challenge. There is (or perhaps now was) an apple tree growing in front of the main face but I've not noticed any apples there for 2 or more years now. You needed to be a climber to get to the apples (assuming they were edible).