Fox Force Five

Written by Greg Chapman Wednesday, 19 October 2011 12:48

I have added a few more nice additions to the in vogue Seathwaite Circuit in the Duddon Valley. This picturesque little venue has proved relatively popular since the launch of the updated guide last month, with downloads of the topo being the highest of any PDF available on the LakesBloc site, through the month of September. The classic lines have now, for the most part, been repeated, and from what I can gather the grades offered seem to have been accepted as about right.

Below: Screwball Scramble (7a+/V7)

The new problems are situated on the open area directly in front (west) of Seathwaite Tarn, and just above the Foss How boulders, mentioned in the guide. I have created a map pinpointing the exact locations of the blocks which is available to view here. I will also add them to the guide, when I get chance.

In summary, there are two 'new' blocks, one large block sporting a central crack system, to the south of the beck, and a slightly smaller but much steeper block on the north side of the beck, just above the path (see map link above for their exact locations). On the 'Cracked Boulder', the most notable additions are: Seathwaite Arete (6a/V2) which climbs the high, blunt left hand arete and is excellent, whilst Screwball Scramble (7a+/V7) climbs the crack system direct from sitting and is as good a 7a+ as you'll find! It also makes an equally good stand up line at 6c+/V5. Finally on this boulder, KerPlunk tackles the right side of the wall, linking into a diagonal crack at half height and goes at 7a/V6 from sitting or 6c/V4 from standing. On the other side of the stream, a steep obvious boulder draws the eye and does not disappoint on closer inspection. The main event here is the fantastically burly Fox Force Five (7c/V9), which climbs the central ramp feature (starting with hands as low as possible) to halfway, before making a massive move to lip and on to top out up the highest point of the block.

VIDEOS: Fox Force Five and Screwball Scramble.