New Carrock Blocks

Written by LakesBloc Tuesday, 03 June 2008 00:00

Tim Carruthers has recorded a number of lines at Carrock Fell, and whilst some have no doubt been climbed before they are all worthy additions and needed recording. Tim gives the lowdown...

"Howff Boulder
Up the hill 30 metres from and equidistant from the Aretes Boulder and the Purple Slab, at the apex of the triangle, so to speak. If you know what a howff is, you can't miss the boulder! Two great problems, both starting low on the left:

Howff Roof 6b/6c+
Span from the big starting hold to a good (but dubious) flake below the lip. Pull over straight from this (6c+) using advanced mantling technique or brute force. Alternatively, traverse the lip rightwards and pull over at leisure (6b). Avoid the big block for your feet (easy to do).

Howff Arete 6c
The vague left hand arete using the same starting hold. Technical and balancy.

Snake Crack Boulder
This is up behind the Howff Boulder and slightly to the right. The obvious thin crack (Snake Crack, 6a+ or 6b if you only use handholds in the crack itself) is a superb problem. The wall immediately left of Snake Crack is a nice problem (4, I suppose). If you add these new problems to the existing mid-grade stuff on the Aretes, Purple Slab, Dual-Al and Little Groove boulders it makes a really nice little circuit just a short stagger from the road."