St. Bees Keeps on Giving

Written by LakesBloc Sunday, 07 February 2010 15:15

We have a few more new problems to report, from the seemingly endless supply at St. Bees Head – South. The new lines were climbed over the last couple of weekends, and are located at the far end of the crag.

First up, we have four new offerings on a superb clean wall, at the very furthest extremities of what has yet been recorded. Sinbad’s Wall, is situated approximately 100m past the Liberty’s End boulder – home of super classic Iron Hide – and offers some brilliant highballs, over a perfect flat landing, in a familiar picture perfect setting. A word of caution the wall does take a little drainage, so if it’s been raining the day before your visit, I wouldn’t bother making the effort.

Image right: Tom Newberry making the second ascent of Triassic Park (7b/V8).

Working from left to right we initially have a superb lay-backing crack line going at around 4/V0, an intimidating direct line of crimps, pockets and shallow scoops follows this, but is currently a project. Starting as for the project but veering right at half height, to a dish then to the top, is a well worthwhile 7a/V6, called The 7^th Voyage. Next we have a direct version of the previous problem, i.e. starting directly below the high dish. This is Sinbad, and it goes at around the 6c+/V5 mark.