Climbs 40
Rocktype Rhyolite
Altitude 270m a.s.l
Faces NW
Dave Pattinson on Cellulite (E2) Fat Charlie's Buttress, in the Langstrath Valley (from Lake District Climbs Rockfax). © Mike Hutton
Crag features
The entrance of the majestic Langstrath Valley has a trio of good little crags that have some quality routes, although they tend to be overlooked by many in favour of the much more popular Sergeant Crag Slabs further up the valley. Bleak How was developed many decades ago and only a small number of the routes remain clean, although these are well-worth tracking down. Fat Charlies Buttress is a small wall of good rock that gives a few short lines and is useful for a quick climb on the way to or from the other crags, or if staying at the nearby campsite.
Approach notes
Park at Stonethwaite, either on the approach or in the hamlet. Walk up the valley on a road then a track past a campsite, then turn right up the Langstrath Valley. After 200m, cross the river at a footbridge.
Bleak How - Head up the hillside making for the left side of the crag from where a traverse rightwards, tight below the face, gains a huge block and gearing up spot.
Fat Charlies Buttress - Once over the footbridge, the crag is easily viewed just a few metres above the path.
| Good chain anchor at the top of The Reiver and good cord and screwgate anchor at the top of Bleak How Buttress, July 2018 sparkass - 20/Jul/18 |
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| Nice crag, good view back up Borrowdale. Needs more traffic, some of the less popular climbs have been reclaimed by Mother Nature. The only cleanish ones were Rub Off, Brush Off, Fancy Free (bit mossy in places), The Boj Eliminate, The Reiver, Front Runner higher up is OK, but initial slab getting mossy. We cleaned what we could by hand and I managed to clean out a couple of the placements on Rub Off with a nut key. Crofty - 26/Apr/09 |
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| Nice crag - quiet place, nice rock, nice routes. A bit grubby when we went there last year and don't even think about it when the midges are out - purgatory!!! Makes a good day combination with Sergeant Crag Slabs. john vaughan - 08/May/04 |
Climbs at this crag
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