Emma on Cracked Wall - Rock Climbing near Grange Over Sands
Rock Climbing near Grange Over Sands
Earlier this week we had the opportunity to visit a climbing venue I’ve been wanting to visit for many years. It came as a recommended venue that offers good climbing on solid rock in a nice setting.
I was climbing with good friend Emma, who lives just down the road and this crag is nice and easy for us both to reach from home.
Early season climbing is always a little more stressful due to the general lack of climbing over the winter months. Most years I mitigate this by climbing loads in Spain over the winter. However, this year I did hardly any climbing whilst in Spain due to being so busy researching a new walking and scrambling guidebook which will sit nicely along side Mountain Adventures Costa Blanca.
So both of us were a little bit wobbly on the rock. But it wasn’t long before we were feeling much better and more comfortable in the vertical world. I do love climbing.
Anyway, more about the crag and the climbing it offers.
Whitestone Crag:
The approach walk is under 20 minutes and initially on a decent path. The path later becomes somewhat lost, so we were left to bash our way through the vegetation. Early in the year this is easy enough, but I’d imagine during high summer the bracken could be quite a hindrance.
Once at the crag I was impressed with what I saw. Clean rock and wonderful views. It has a South-West aspect too so sunny and bright, just what we needed on this chilly spring day.
We started with a route called ‘The Chimney’. At V’Diff this should be a nice warm up. The rock was excellent and all clean. Protection was reasonable, but no more than that. The moves were typical of a chimney route, so a bit of a struggle for me at 6’3”! Still, it felt amazing to me moving and flowing on rock. As I sat at the top of the crag and belayed Emma as she climbed, I had time to admire the extensive views that including the Coniston Fells and Morecambe Bay.
The descent path was obvious, but led us to a very tight squeeze through a corner crack. Some fun was had here.
The weather was still behaving so we geared up for a second route. This time something a bit more difficult. ‘Cracked Wall’ at HS/VS would give us more of a challenge. The protection looked excellent and I was super keen.
The initial moves were straightforward, but soon the route showed its true colours. I arranged some protection, which was good but difficult to place. Then set off through the crux sequence. This took me a few attempts to unlock the moves, but once I did it all felt wonderful. Big jugs followed and led me easily to the top of the crag. Once more I set up a belay and Emma followed up the route, thankfully also needing to have a bit of a think at the crux. This was a splendid route in my opinion.
Clouds were now hiding the sun from us and a northerly wind was giving us the chills, so we decided it was time to call it a day and head for home. A couple of great climbs in the bag, a new crag discovered and explored, and a crag to add to the list of places we can take our customers.
Leaving after just a couple of routes means there’s lots more for us to go back for too. A Strategy for helping to keep the crag interesting for years to come.
For anyone visiting the South Lakes peninsulas this is a crag that offers very easy access. Under 10 minutes from Lindale, Grange-Over-Sands, and Newby Bridge.
Thanks for reading
Mark
Ace views at the top - Rock Climbing near Grange Over Sands
Basking in the sun but about to enter the chilly chimney - Rock Climbing near Grange Over Sands
Even a place to hang cams and gear - Rock Climbing near Grange Over Sands