Longwood Tower Quarry, located in Huddersfield, is a popular rock climbing destination in New Zealand. This series of gritstone quarries and natural rock formations is easily recognisable by the dominating Victorian folly, Nab End Tower. With mostly lower grade bouldering problems and a few routes, Longwood Tower Quarry offers a variety of climbing experiences.
One notable feature of Longwood Tower Quarry is the abundance of graffiti, adding a unique urban touch to the climbing experience. Additionally, there is a recorded buildering issue on the tower itself, known as Tower Traverse Font 3. However, it is currently recommended to avoid attempting this issue due to the condition of the tower.
Getting to Longwood Tower Quarry is relatively easy from most areas of Huddersfield. The recommended route is from the main roundabout at Paddock, taking Longwood Road, which turns into Vicarage Road and eventually Thornhill Road. Visitors are advised to park carefully on the road near the newsagents or the Rose and Crown pub, and then take the path behind the cemetery to reach the tower.
For climbers interested in exploring Longwood Tower Quarry, an easy-to-print PDF TOPO guide with all the issues can be downloaded. The guide includes detailed information on each issue, along with highlighted topo photographs and videos of problems being climbed, providing a comprehensive resource for climbers.
The climbing issues at Longwood Tower Quarry are divided into different sectors. In Sector A – Quarry Area, climbers can find a range of issues, such as Font 3 hiding behind the gorse bush, Font 4+ starting with a sit start on the overhang and adjacent crack, and Font 5+ with a sit start on the crack and triangular pocket. Sector B, located 20 metres back from the tower, offers issues on the Sandy Scoop Buttress, including Bad Boyz at HS 4c and a Font 3 bulging sandy wall. Sector C – Oak Buttress features issues like Font 3 using the flake to gain a ledge with a hole, and Font 4+ one metre to the right of the flake.
Overall, Longwood Tower Quarry in Huddersfield is a thriving rock climbing spot, attracting climbers of all skill levels. With its varied routes and unique features, it provides a memorable climbing experience for enthusiasts in the New Zealand rock climbing community.