Kate on Digitation - Duddon Valley Climbing
Duddon Valley Climbing
This week we had planned to take a holiday. As it turned out, we needed to stay close to home, but did find time for some days out in the Lakes. Yesterday we headed for the Duddon Valley and a favourite of ours, Wallowbarrow.
Around 18 years ago and on our first climbing trip together, me and Kate visited the Duddon as part of a weekend away with The Innominata Mountaineering Club and what a brilliant weekend we had. On the Saturday we ran/walked around the Ennerdale horseshoe, all 24 miles of it. On the Sunday we joined the rest of the club members for some trad climbing at Wallowbarrow Crag.
Prior to the weekend I had never visited the Duddon Valley, never even heard of it. By the end of the weekend it was my favourite valley in the Lakes. Peaceful, serene, quiet. Oh and there's a great pub in Seathwaite too
Kate was getting back into multi-pitch climbing and for me it was still quite a new thing as much of my climbing had been on gritstone in the Peak District. We decided to set off up a 4 pitch V'Diff route called Trinity Slabs. Kate was finding the 1st pitch 'a bit tricky'. Turns out we were on a VS called Digitation! Good lead by Kate.
We learnt a lot that day and had a load of fun.
So back to yesterday. And for a trip down memory lane we find ourselves at Wallowbarrow crag and naturally we decide to climb Digitation. A route we have both climbed many times since that first visit. What a great 1st pitch it has up that mega slab. We discussed the option of abseiling off from the top of pitch 1 but Kate was keen to complete the whole route (as was I), so we quested on up to the upper and equally delightful upper slab pitch. Brilliant climbing, happy memories.
I think the best thing about Wallowbarrow Crag are the views. From any belay ledge or the top of the crag a commanding view over the valley can be savoured.
We then went on to climb 'Thomas' a 2 pitch Severe which gives steep, juggy climbing the whole way. It's utterly fantastic and a 'must-do' route if visiting the crag.
We were both keen to climb more routes, but admin at home was calling us back so we made a retreat, stopping for a chat with Chris at High Wallowbarrow Farm who was contemplating doing some hay baling over the coming days.
If you're looking for a climbing guide / instructor here in the Lakes. Whether that be for some top-roping with a group, 1:1 guiding, lead coaching, or other climbing related activity please do get in touch, we'd love to help.
Thanks for reading
Mark
Belay ledge with a view - Duddon Valley Climbing
View of the valley - Duddon Valley Climbing
Bog Asphodel below the crag - Duddon Valley Climbing