Steel Knotts/Castle Crag, Borrowdale

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Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/08/2022
4:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Location
Steel Knotts, Borrowdale

Meet organiser: Judith Brown
Pub afterwards: Wetherspoons, Keswick

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Steel Knotts

A nice little crag with mostly single pitch routes. Descent is made to the left down a small scree and is short and not too difficult. Notable climbs are Tottering Tortoise (VS 5a) which is an interesting crack climb and has seen many excellent and experienced climbers turn back!

Approach notes

The crag can be accessed from Grange by walking up past the campsite as if making for Castle Crag, but striking right up the hillside just after the gate leading out of the trees. Steel Knotts is the first low outcrop of clean rock which is obvious from the path.

Castle Crag

An often loose and serious crag. Zoar(HVS), Face in the Crowd(E3), Disillusion(S), Irrawaddy(HVS), RIP(HVS), Blue Max(HVS).

Approach notes

25 minutes from Grange in Borrowdale.

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Update this Crag

Last updated on 24/Jan/2022

Meet information

Home Forums Steel Knotts/Castle Crag, Borrowdale Tuesday 9 Aug 2022

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    Judith Brown
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    The weather forecast is excellent. I am aiming to be at the base of Steel Knots by 4.30 (hoping someone will drag me up something!)

    Steel Knots has a couple of good MVS routes and a challenging VS as well harder fare. Those wanting greater challenges will head a bit further up the path to Castle Crag, which offers starred HVSs and a Severe with a 5a finish!

    The walk-ins are fairly short (depending where you manage to get parked) and the routes single pitch so suitable for late arrivals.

    Nearest parking is in Grange village, but this is limited, so you may need to park either as for Black crag (also limited) or further down the road at Quayfoot.

    The crags are approached via the lane behind the Grange tea shop and Hollow Stones campsite (parking strictly campers only).

    Anyone wanting to lift share from Cockermouth at about 3.30, please let me know via e-mail judithbrown3@aol.com.

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Home Forums Steel Knotts/Castle Crag, Borrowdale Tuesday 9 Aug 2022

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    Judith Brown
    Moderator

    With the temperature warming up, it was pleasant to be climbing on a shady crag, albeit one that is short on lower grade routes, which concentrated activity on the handful of MVS (possibly upgraded in current guidebooks) lines. There were several ascents of Ambling Ant and Route 2, whilst Pete, Steve and Jonathan made a tour of the crag via BMC 1.

    Once the more amenable options had been exhausted, the teams drifted down to Steel Knotts Bluff where Geraint and Stu were enjoying pleasant but virtually gear-free climbing on this picnic-themed piece of rock. Most of joined in, with all routes receiving some kind of ascent, including solos, and there was general agreement that Cake is very nice!

    We walked out in a lovely sunset and a bunch of the usual suspects finished the evening with light refreshments at the Dog and Gun.

    Attendees were Tina, Ros, Jon, Ann, Steve P, Jonathan, Pete W, Geraint, Stu, Dan W, Dan H-B, Judith and two guests from Croyden Mountaineering Club.

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