Sampson's Stones Onslaught

Written by LakesBloc Saturday, 09 May 2009 00:00

Over the last month or so Greg Chapman has climbed a number of fine new problems at Sampson's Stones, in upper Eskdale.

This venue was already a tip-top spot for all; offering both good problems from 3+/V0 to 8a/V11 and an incredible setting, placed as it is, high on the southern slopes of the Scafell massif. The new lines now give a little more choice to the higher end user, and give you even less reason not to visit this awesome venue.

There is also a new and comprehensive guide (similar to the recent Bowderstone edition), which not only includes the new harder problems listed below, but also a wider, better described, range of easier lines. The guide also gives a few pointers on how to get the most out of a visit to this excellent, if far flung, bouldering destination.

Click here to go to the Sampson's Stones page and guide.

New Problems...

Stellar Dweller,The Cosmos Boulder, 8a/V11
The hardest new addition to the area is also the hardest problem yet climbed. This climbs the roof/niche, from sitting, left of Event Horizon direct, via some tough technical initial moves and a real stopper campus move to crimp once out of the roof. It then continues up the left side of the slight prow before linking into the final move of EH.

Doctor Manhattan, The Asteroid , 7c/V9
A mega line which starts up The Drake Equation then traverses left, keeping low, to right of groove, before tackling the right side of the shield-like feature, via a cool move to a rough crimp.

Tachyon, The Asteroid , 7b+/V9

This problem starts as per Stargazer, however, once out of the left side of the groove continue leftward across the face to finish up the left arete.

Quark Star, The Asteroid , 7c/V9
The most appalling straight-up on the block climbs the obvious central groove and shield-like feature direct from sitting.

For images of these new problems and other Sampson's Stones lines go to the Sampson's Stones Gallery.