[Nigel]

Hi Tim,

Jim Arnold and friends are currently producing a Carrock Fell topo, I *believe* (though it is a guess!) that they will have asked Greg to refrain from producing a Lakesbloc topo. Given that Jim seems to know the crag like the back of his hand and is still developing new boulders there this seems eminently sensible as they will undoubtably do a better job of it!

[tc]

Ah, right.
So, what else did you do up at Sampson's Stones the other week?

[Nigel]

I only repeated problems I've done before (mainly holding on to them for photos though). Although I did do the stand-up project left of Quasar (the true line up the groove) at V8. This is the line I wanted to do with Quasar but I was too shit back then, and unfortunately this time I couldn't do the real true line which is the groove sit-start into the new stand up as I'm injured at the minute, haven't climbed for 2 months and shouldn't be climbing at all! Honestly I really had to force myself to climb this problem at all and it didn't do me any good. :?  Full thing will be a classic V9/10 though, you should get it done. I also did the small sitter groove on Boulder 1 (Flambouyancy Aid one) at V6, small but beautiful.

[andyh]

by their conduct and their presence - would hate it to become the plantation of the lakes, some of the landing are already getting pretty worn down.

but i guess u can't stop progess, and i'd never have bin to gouther without ure topos so maybe i'm just being a selfish hypocrite :?

[tc]

The solution to the over-use 'problem' at Carrock Fell is for people to spread out a bit and go explore the rest of the hillside. The three main boulders are good but there is also a huge variety of excellent problems that are not as obvious from the road. Go seek!

[Nigel]

Andy, yes you are being a hypocrite!    To allay your fears about Carrock Fell becoming like the Plantation, let me point out that the Plantation is situated about 10 minutes from one of the largest cities in the UK with THE largest population of climbers of perhaps any city in the world. The Plantation is one of the first areas to dry, hence...well you get the picture. On the other hand Carrock is in the arsehole of nowhere.

Further to that, Carrock Fell has seen more use (= damage) in recent years NOT as a result of hoards of visitors (no topo! Does get a mention in FRCC guides though), but because of increased interest from Penrith locals making frequent visits. Yet another reason why the "locals" attitude winds me up, they are the ones causing the majority of the damage! (Again, last sentence aimed at others, not yourself!).

Very true Top Cat, in fact the outlying Carrock areas need loads of use to get them cleaned up. There's a few nice looking highballs up in the trees, and a sweet line out of a small "lean-to" cave near the road.

[tc]

To be fair, some of the perceived 'damage' was not caused by climbers at all (some of it was, of course - particularly the over-zealous brushing on the popular 'middle' boulder, the chalk wrapper, finger tape and other litter, which is a complete fucking eyesore and needs to be discouraged with lots of unnecessary violence  :evil: ). The fellside is also a favourite 'field trip' venue, so we do have to share it with groups of geologists, etc.
The line out of the 'lean to' cave (and the lip traverse) have both been done. Higher up the hillside is the real exploratory stuff. There be dragons!

[Nigel]

I had a look up the hillside and nearly fell down a little waterfall with a dead tree over it! Found some OK looking walls though, good luck with the dragon slaying  :sniper:  :bat:

[webbo]

bloody hell my attempt at a joke was more of a reference to the league of gentlemen rather your local turf wars :cry:
i just fancied going somewhere new and at the same time including a camping trip with my daughter as the missus has to work
parental response ablity what a bummer

[tc]

I had a look up the hillside and nearly fell down a little waterfall with a dead tree over it! Found some OK looking walls though, good luck with the dragon slaying  :sniper:  :bat:

Ah, but did you manage to track down the legendary "E5 slab"? The trophy problem of the true Carrock Fell acolyte :wink:

[tc]

i just fancied going somewhere new and at the same time including a camping trip with my daughter as the missus has to work

The best place in the whole known universe for that kind of thing is Upper Eskdale and Sampson's Stones.

[Nigel]

Probably did find the E5 slab but then I was just looking and didn't climb anything, and lets face it I've only been twice so I'm hardly an "acolyte"!

Yeah Webbo, tc is right if you're camping then i can't think of a more beautiful camping spot than the Sampson's Stones themselves. Nestled in a gorgeous hanging valley beneath Esk Crag, overlooked by a ring of fells inc. Scafell and Bowfell, and "a river runs through it" A fairly easy 1 hour from the car. Worth a look, topo on Lakesbloc with more info (and in next issue of Climber - Stone Circles).

[webbo]

I don't suppose there anywhere that hires pack horses cos thats what i'd to get said daughter ,camping gear, mats ,etc 1 hours walk .Somehow i don't think the nice scenery will sell it .Usually it takes sweets , cafes, trips round clothes shops to bribe her .
This is the missus specialist area :nopity: